I came, I saw…I influenced! ~ Altovise

2021 has been one heck of a year. I shifted some major things in my business including moving forward into an influencer role. That title still feels weird to me but the feedback that I have been receiving are all a reflection of what I have been doing and saying this year. There are some things that come with being an influencer that many don’t realize. I mean, the IG posts do look nice but there are many things behind the title of influencer that I had to juggle this year.

Consistency and creativity are two key components to success in any industry but what many leave out of the conversation is the where and what. Where will you be consistent and what will you be doing creatively. Here is where that shiny object syndrome comes in for sure because everything looks like it can be a great idea. I mean…there is someone right now who is cuddling for a fee. (No, it is really a whole thing) Now while I like a good cuddle, doing it as a job is not on the top of my list.

In 2021, I decided to focus on two main areas. Live streaming and hosting The #SpeakEasy Podcast. That meant I had to put down the course creation and the book writing. (I’ve published 20 books between 2016 and 2021) That meant that I had to shut down the virtual assistant services and even turn down new clients. Whew. I was truly focused on making an impact and moving forward with the #unmuted mission.

Related: Emilie Haney Influencer Spotlight

Influence as a Podcaster

I had an idea back in 2017 to launch The #SpeakEasy Podcast. Nope, I had no idea what I was in for. Here I am, four years later, and I am bout launch a new show that is sure to be another hit. My consistency with the first show is not only creating momentum for this new show but it has also given me social proof of what I can do. I have feedback from previous guests and the listeners chime in with their feedback as well. They love the development of the interviews and my desire to pull on guests to be transparent about their journey.

Then, people started asking me to help them to start a podcast. Woah…an open door to help others have a heart for the world of podcasting. Here is one of those truths about being an influencer that is only hear in whispers. Not everyone that shows up will have the heart to continue showing up. That was a weird place to be in. They wanted my help, but they also wanted to skip over the consistency and creativity. Ouch! At first, I felt like I had failed people. Then I realized that the expectation I had for them was not the expectation that they had for themselves.

So, while I still have the course to teach people how to start a podcast, I don’t lead with that. As an influencer you must be willing to step outside the conventional and into the unconventional. There are many who sell a course and help people start a podcast nut there are none teaching people to have the heart of a podcaster. I train people on how to make this a business instead of just a hobby.

Forbes:2022 Digital Marketing Trends & How to Use Them

Influence as a LiveStreamer

I started livestreaming in 2015 as an active member of the Periscope community. It shifted things for me majorly because I became more comfortable to speak in front of crowds and it made me become laser focused when it came to content creation. Livestreaming created a way to accelerate the “know, like, and trust” factor between entrepreneurs and potential clients. This was surely a trend that I am glad that I said yes to. Ah, but looking at the scope of livestreaming today I have to say that it is way more than a trend.

Being an influencer took on a whole new look as Amazon opened its platform to live streaming. Although I jumped on the platform at the end of 2020, I started seeing some great opportunities in 2021. Several brand contracts, the ability to bring my motivation to the Amazon platform, and the freedom to livestream anytime day or night makes this a great opportunity for content creators. While other companies are starting to open up the live shopping option on their platforms, content creators are getting hit with all kinds of DM’s. Many want you to do something for free or for some products. Ah…it sounds good in the beginning but oh how it will bite you in the bum along the way.

What people don’t see when it comes to being an influencer is the editing, the negotiating, the deals that fall flat, the payments that never arrive, or and let’s not forget the people that believe that you shouldn’t get paid to just go live. (That is a whole other discussion. lol) There is a whole business side to livestreaming. Many live streamers never received a dime when Periscope gave the option for viewers to donate through cute specialty hearts. I’ve found that livestreaming on Amazon, while not perfect, allows anyone to reap from their time their if they have a plan.

That is, it in a nutshell. I may not have started off with a plan when I was started the podcast or when I started livestreaming but when I implemented the plan, I saw a shift. When I added someone to the podcast team to transcribe my shows it freed up my time. The plan is not just what we put on paper; it is when we put into action. It is what we delegate out.

Stay connected with me as I continue on this journey of being an influencer. It is sure to be a wild ride.

Connect with me on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/shop/altoviseunmuted

DM me on IG: http://www.instagram.com/altoviseunmuted

With over ten years of writing, Altovise uses her platforms to create opportunities for women to have their voices heard. Founder of the World Voice League, she educates and empowers through courses, a weekly accountability call, blogging, books, and the #SpeakEasy Podcast.