Everyday Aussie ‘ influencers’ earning thousands

MAKING money from social media is no longer the sole domain of celebrities, as brands chase everyday Australians to boost their products.

Instagram has seen the rise of “microinfluencers” being approached by brands to try lifestyle products and post about them.

The new landscape has evolved in recent years, according to Anthony Svirskis, CEO of Tribe – a platform that matches Instagram influencers with marketers.

“Now, micro- influencers have become very powerful,” Mr Svirskis says. “They may have 5000 or 10,000 followers, whom they have built through passion and expertise.”

Mr Svirskis said everyday people were the best advocates for brands because they actually consume them and their followers believe what they have to say.

Tribe currently has 13,000 influencers in Australia and 2500 brands. Influencers earn $ 192 per post on average, but the top earners might charge $ 5000 per post. Tribe puts a 20 per cent margin on top.

Alicia English was studying fashion design and doing a marketing internship when she established a website to sell clothes. She noticed that her clothes attracted more interest as her Instagram followers increased in number.

“I had a couple of thousand followers ( at first),” Ms English said. “My personal friends started increasing, and then a few companies started sending me clothes.”

Ms English now has 11,100 followers and earns around $ 150 a week, on top of being sent free products and being invited to brand events.

Finder. com. au spokeswoman Bessie Hassan said savvy business owners are cashing in on Instagram and Facebook.

“For small business owners especially, the platforms are affordable ways to market their products,” Ms Hassan said.