According to a report by Research Gate, the number of Indian internet users is growing exponentially and is anticipated to reach 370.77 million by the end of 2022. Another report from Statista states that, owing to the penetration of internet access by 2040, the country’s social networking platform users are predicted to reach nearly 1.5 billion. This phenomenon has led to the genesis of a new occupational dimension in our society, Influencer marketing.
What is Influencer marketing and how does it work? Influencer marketing is a type of marketing in which people famous in the cyber space, that is digital content creators, vloggers, boggers and “Influencers” are employed to promote a particular business interest to a larger audience.
A recent report by Group M India, a media investment company, said digital will emerge as the largest medium in 2022 and in that one key segment, influencer marketing will see significant growth in the coming years. The report expects influencer marketing to double by 2025 to a whopping Rs 2,200 crore industry. The influencer marketing industry grew 40 percent last year alone. It is estimated to keep up its growth in 2022, increasing revenue from Rs 900 crore to at least around Rs 1,200-1,300 crore.
However, on the other hand social media platforms are the employers and content creators are the employees with no idea how long will their career last or how stable will they remain financially. How secure is the future of people choosing a digitalised career path? Let us hear it from the point of view of some of these content creators.
“People will earn, learn and explore!”, says Miss. Janvi Dongre, a budding digital content creator. She has lately made her digital footprint and calls herself a fashion stylist. The digital career path tests an individual’s creativity with minimal resources in hand. In addition, she believes that a digitalised career gives the person an identity that can be treasured for a lifetime. Already existing fashion influencers, their personality and personal style are one of the biggest magnets that compelled her to share her love for fashion digitally.
Miss Janvi says that education and overall academic qualification are what build you as a person. Digital platforms might offer a persistent source of income but one should also look for additional sources for better financial stability.
Plagiarism is one the greatest challenges for budding digital creators.However, social media platforms provide great recognition and tons of opportunities to make one’s career. It is a place that puts the creativity of the people to test. Your luck and success will highly depend on your thinking power and abilities to educate, entertain and inform the netizens.
Miss Palak Sindhwani is another digital content creator who is also a television actor. She is currently working in SAB TV’s hit sitcom “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah”. In her opinion, social media platforms are very important especially in the contemporary era. It is a learning platform as well as a career path, it provides an opportunity to all netizens to exploit their hidden talent and potential. The digital channels are platforms that help them to showcase their skills and talents. The instant engagement in the form of likes, comments and shares encourages them to do better. Miss Palak believes that social media platforms are here to stay for good. The emergence of brands, distinctive personalities and collaboration of digital content creators, make social media platforms a more creative and productive space.
Starting her digital journey, on Instagram and stealing the hearts of millions through her YouTube channel. This one step towards making her digital footprints on social media channels made her realise the impact of her messages disseminated through digital platforms.
With the unraveling of digital universe and virtual career paths, the phenomena of deciding on a career, higher education and financial goals well in advance have faded. In the current era, youthful minds don’t mind if they have to hustle and slog to try and achieve improbable goals.
Influencer marketing definately looks like the new Dream destination for not just the youth but all age groups looking to explore and exploit their creative potential and cyber space, especially the social media platforms are the perfect stage for them the bedazzle the world with their talent.
Edited by: Raghujit S. Randhawa