A Tale of Two Social Media Paths: Choosing Between Enthusiast and Influencer

Creating a compelling presence on social media can take many forms, with the roles of “enthusiast” and “influencer” being two distinct approaches. Understanding the differences between these roles can help shape your strategy and online persona. Let’s delve into what these terms mean, exemplify each with prominent figures like Marques Brownlee for the enthusiast role, and then provide insights into which approach might be more suitable for different goals.

Social Media Enthusiast vs. Influencer

Social Media Enthusiast:

• Focus: Enthusiasts are primarily driven by their passion for a particular subject or field. They share content out of genuine interest and engagement with the topic.
• Engagement: Their interactions are often more about sharing knowledge and less about promoting products or brands.
• Audience Connection: Enthusiasts typically build a community based on shared interests, fostering deeper, more meaningful connections.
• Example: Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, is a quintessential enthusiast. His content focuses on tech reviews and news. Brownlee’s approach is grounded in his genuine passion for technology and gadgets, making his reviews and insights highly trusted and respected in the tech community.

Social Media Influencer:

• Focus: Influencers often create content with a more commercial angle, frequently collaborating with brands to promote products or services.
• Engagement: Their content can range across various topics, with a significant focus on lifestyle, fashion, travel, or similar areas.
• Audience Connection: Influencers build their community based on lifestyle aspirations and personality appeal.
• Example: A classic influencer example is someone like Kylie Jenner, who uses her platform to promote beauty products, fashion, and her own brands, leveraging her large following for commercial purposes.

Which Approach is Better?

The choice between being a social media enthusiast and an influencer largely depends on your personal goals, interests, and the kind of audience you want to engage with:

1. Authenticity and Passion: If you are deeply passionate about a specific niche (like technology, in Marques Brownlee’s case) and wish to share your knowledge and excitement without a strong commercial drive, the enthusiast path is more suitable.
2. Commercial and Brand Opportunities: If you are interested in leveraging your social media presence for commercial opportunities, brand collaborations, and influencing consumer behaviors, the influencer route may be more appropriate.
3. Long-Term Engagement: Enthusiasts often build a more niche but loyal and engaged audience. This can lead to long-term sustainability, especially if you are looking to establish yourself as a thought leader in a particular area.
4. Wide Appeal: Influencers may reach a broader audience and achieve rapid growth, particularly if they tap into trending topics, lifestyle aspirations, and have a charismatic persona.

Ultimately, whether to be a social media enthusiast or an influencer depends on your personal interests, goals, and the type of community you want to build. Enthusiasts like Marques Brownlee thrive on authenticity and deep engagement in a specific field, while influencers like Kylie Jenner leverage a broader appeal and commercial partnerships. Both paths offer unique opportunities and challenges, and the best choice.