Resource | Social media: How to be an influencer

Check out this social media video from our Auslan Resource Library!

💻 Social media: How to be an influencer. This video provides information about how to become a social media influencer.

Want more resources in Auslan?

Deaf Connect is pleased to the launch of the Auslan Resource Library.

We consulted with the community about what kinds of information you would like access to, and have started publishing videos on topics like finance, government systems, technology and more.

Visual description of the thumbnail:
Title reads “Auslan Information Resource Hub: Social media: How to be an influencer” and shows a mock up of an Apple iPhone with the presenter on the screen. He is signing the Auslan sign for “learn” and has a salt-and-pepper beard. It includes a note “Produced by Auslan Consultancy” and the background is a light, abstract pattern.

Transcript:
[We see a man sitting in his living room on a couch. He has white hair, a salt-and-pepper beard, and is wearing a black t-shirt with jeans. We are looking over his shoulder at the perspective of what he is looking at: his mobile phone. He is watching a video on social media that features another person signing in Auslan. He turns to look at the camera and signs to the viewer.] Do you dream of becoming an influencer like this?
[The video pauses and blurs while many social media app icons pop up on the screen. The social media network icons are for Instagram, Youtube, X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook. The camera then cuts to the same man sitting as a desk with a laptop, mobile phone on a phone stand and cup of water on it. Next to him are example of social media posts from Instagram. He looks at the camera and signs to viewer.] Take a look at some of these examples. All influencers have different types of followings. It might be children’s theater, teaching Auslan, fashion, and so forth.
[A title flashes on the screen “Choose a topic you love!”] The topic of your content is vital, so it’s important to pick something you’re passionate about and that you want to share with others, and stick to that. Over time, as you gain more followers, you can start to broaden out your topics, but try to start with just one.
[Another title flashes on the screen “Consistency is key!”] Consistency is key! Try to post regularly and consistently. You might post every day or once a week. Utilize a calendar to schedule your posts. A recommendation would be to post at least three times a week. Consistency in the day and time of your posts means your followers can look forward to your next post. With lack of consistency, followers can get lost.
[Another title appears “Good lighting and stable setup”] When you start filming your content on a smartphone, be sure to stabilize your phone or hold the camera still, otherwise, your followers may start to feel motion sickness. [An example of an unsteady video appears on the screen and fades away.] Holding your camera still or placing it on a stand or a tripod, can help stabilize your camera.
Good natural lighting is also key. If filming outside, make sure you’re in a place with good, natural light, [Example of outdoor filming appears and then fades away] but ensure it’s not a place that’s too sunny or bright. It’s possible to film on cloudy days, inside with a lamp, or with a ring light, like this. It’s possible to purchase these relatively cheaply without having to pay too much money for a professional setup.
You also need to ensure you have the right framing. [Example of good framing of the body in a video appears and fades away.] It’s important you can see your whole body and signing space, rather than just half of your body or cutting off your face. [Example of badly framed video appears and fades away.] [Another title appears “Editing phase”] After you’ve completed filming, it’s time to move on to the editing phase. There are several free apps you can download and use on your smartphone. Download the one that’s right for you, but my recommendation would be an app called CapCut. [An example of using CapCut appears including the text “Create projects! Edit your video! Add captions! Add effects!”] [Another title appears “Finished editing, what next?”] Once you’ve filmed and edited your content, you’re now ready to upload. You can upload your content on social media like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, and many more. You may post on several platforms or just focus on one. Also be sure to add hashtags to your post, like #auslan, #deaf, or #yourtopic, for example, #camping, #lighting, or #bush. This means that people who might be interested in camping can do a search on #camping and find your content. Or if they’re searching for Auslan videos, they can search #auslan and find your video. Without hashtags, only the people that follow you or that share your content will be able to see that content.