Emerging Job

Influencer marketing is a social media marketing strategy that helps brands advertise their products on popular social media accounts. Some online influencers can accept brand deals and talk about specific products on their social media platform, encouraging the target audience to buy and test them. Understanding the job requirements of an influencer can help you gain the right qualifications and experience before you start your career path.

Social media influencers possess sizable followings on public platforms, which they retain through regular publication. Social media influencers are frequently approached to market companies' offerings.
   
Influencer marketing can be a potential career path, where individuals promote brands and their products on social media, playing an important role in advertising and consumer engagement. The process to become an influencer involves obtaining relevant qualifications, identifying a passion or niche, researching other influencers, creating a social media page, planning content and reaching out to brands for potential partnerships. Successful influencer marketing doesn't just require a sizeable social media following, but also content planning, time management skills, professional partnerships and a clear understanding of one's audience and niche.
  
An influencer is someone who promotes certain products to their social media following. These social media professionals may collaborate with brands and popular companies that want more recognition. Influencers usually test a company's products and encourage the audience to buy them or view their official website.

(Source: Indeed)

ANZSCO ID: N/A
   
Alternative names:  Influencer, Social Media, Social Media Creator, Social Media Expert, Social Media Writer,

  
Specialisations:

• fashion
• beauty
• fitness
• travel
• cooking
• business
• DIY crafts
• animals
• lifestyle
• music
• photography
• entertainment.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Demonstrate phenomenal understanding and knowledge of social media networking platforms.
• Ability to build relationships via social media platforms.
• Excellent proficiency in Social Media Management tools such as Zoho, Buffer, Hootsuite, and others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks.
• Outstanding analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Excellent problem solving and networking skills.
• Strong work ethics.
• Ability to work in a team or individually as and when required.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Good time management abilities.
• Strong decision-making skills.

(Source: Better Team)

Duties and Tasks

• Connecting to the brand and potential target audience across various social networking platforms.
• Developing and implementing innovative social media strategies
• Post videos about products
• Create social media posts
• Creating and writing relevant content for social media posts.
• Publishing content as per the schedule.
• Sharing all the important information and links via social media.
• Working in collaboration with the Social Media Marketing Manager and Social Media Marketing Specialist.
• Devising insights reports after gathering insights and feedback from social media sites.
• Adhering to all the guidelines before publishing on social media.
• Tracking records of the followers and maintaining a list of the same.
• Propagating genuine and authentic information with high enthusiasm.
• Staying up to date with the latest trends across all the social media networks.
• Collaborate with popular brands
• Attend influencer events
• Schedule meetings with brands
• Write emails to companies
• Arrange meetings with a business's management
• Travel abroad for brand deals
• Share links to company websites
• Create and edit video content
• Communicate with brands virtually
• Plan and schedule photo content.

 

Working conditions

Looking at other social media pages can help you better understand the content and ways influencers reach audiences. You can monitor how people interact with the posts and why they gravitate towards certain advertisements. It might be worth noting how frequently people post content and what they usually write in the captions. These short descriptions help describe the product and how people can buy it. For example, an influencer might write, If you want to buy this hand soap, click the link and apply the discount code to get 10% off. You can note how they aim the caption towards a certain audience. More research can help you plan your content when you eventually start working with different brands and companies.

(Source: Emplifi)

Tools and technologies

Excellent proficiency in Social Media Management tools such as Zoho, Buffer, Hootsuite, and others.

• Vista Social for small teams
• Loomly for automating any social media service
• Iconosquare for visual content
• Typefully for text-based social networks
• Sendible for an affordable all-in-one social media management app

 

Education and training/entrance requirements
  
Bachelor’s degree in any field. Candidates having a high school certificate can also take up this job.

Work experience as a Social Media Influencers or a similar role in the Marketing field.

Demonstrable experience as a far-reaching social media influencer. A large, highly dedicated viewership across multiple channels. Tech-savvy with well-honed marketing abilities. Excellent verbal communication skills. An amicable, authoritative, and culturally aware disposition.
Predictably authentic. Identification with broader societal causes.

Did You Know? What to do to become Social Media Influencer Obtain relevant qualifications Although completing a degree is an optional path to your social media career, it provides more knowledge regarding your niche. For example, if you enjoy posting about exercise and fitness, you can complete a bachelor degree in health science and learn about nutritional intake and lifestyle changes. This can apply to other niche areas that involve detailed research and accurate facts. It may be a good idea to study your passion professionally if you want to create informational and appropriately sourced posts. A certificate IV in digital media technologies may be another option for your career. You can learn how to use online marketing tools and interact with different influencer campaigns on digital media. This certification is beneficial if you're looking for relevant marketing jobs in social media. It might be worth pursuing this 12-month course and learning about the different aspects of online marketing tools.  Find your passion It's crucial to find your niche and something you're passionate about. Recognising your passion can help you plan your content when posting on social media and create compelling posts that attract brands and specific audiences. For example, if you post gym routines that show people how to use weights, small fitness brands may contact you about advertisement deals. This passion might change over time, but it's important to start with something you have knowledge about. If you have a level of expertise in your chosen field, it can help you create appropriate and accurate content. Although these passions are usually precise and not very broad, some people prefer to post about a range of interests to attract different audiences. For example, an influencer might talk about fashion and beauty, as these two niches are similar. Here are some niches you can use for your social media page: Create a social media page Once you have gathered enough research, choose the social media platform that you're most comfortable posting on. It might be worth testing different social media platforms and seeing how you can structure your posts. For example, if you prefer creating videos, find a platform specialising in video content or marketing visuals. Different platforms can attract various audiences, depending on their interests, age group, online presence, content preferences, location and content algorithm. You can add a profile picture to your social media page and design your page to look aesthetically pleasing. Your niche may also affect how you present your account. For example, adding links to different exercise videos can show the audience that you're posting health and fitness content. It might also be worth adding a brief biography that details your personal facts, characteristics and what type of content you may post now and in the future. Plan your content You'll need good time management skills to schedule your social media content. Planning may also allow you to keep track of product advertisements and brand deals when posting according to deadlines. You can create your images beforehand and craft detailed captions that state the purpose of the product and how people can buy it. If you don't have brand deals, you can post about your daily activities, favourite products, content schedule, upcoming sponsorships or relevant facts about yourself. Many influencers post content about their passion before accepting brand deals to help establish an audience. For example, you might plan a post that details the purpose of your social media account and what you hope to achieve with it. This can motivate you to form short- and long-term career goals. Contact small brands After you feel comfortable with your posting schedule, you can contact small brands that deserve more recognition. Advertising lesser-known products can help showcase your authenticity. It might also provide you with enough experience to post profitable advertisements and collaborate with prominent companies. It's crucial to adhere to rules and deadlines after contacting brands and discussing product details. You may even ask brands about posting on social media and how to attract a large audience to the page. Gaining advice from social media professionals can help you grow your account. If some brands reject your collaboration offer, you can still express your gratitude for the open communication. Maintaining positive online relationships may introduce you to other brands that share your niche. Upload your posts Upload your posts with captions that express your passion. For example, you can write, I love this product because you can keep it in your travel bag, and it's 100% recyclable, which I value in beauty products. You can upload your posts on different days to keep the audience engaged with your content. It may also be a good idea to share your posts with friends and family, as this might grow your content views. Some influencers use a range of social media platforms that can help them deliver content to different audiences. For example, you can gain a new audience by posting content on a video marketing platform and sharing the link to that video on social networking sites. This can encourage page growth and increase financial income.

 

  

Emerging Job

YouTubers create and publish digestible videos that cater to their unique viewership. YouTubers are either compensated by their employers or directly by YouTube plus their sponsors.

ANZSCO ID: N/A May 2025
  
Alternative names: Vlogger, video creator, video blogger, YouTube Creator,

Specialisations

YouTubers specialize in various areas, often focusing on entertainment, gaming, beauty, or other niche interests. Popular specializations include entertainment, food, gaming, beauty/fashion, music, sports, science, and travel. Additionally, YouTubers can specialize in technical skills like video editing, graphic design, and marketing.
  
Popular Specializations:

• Entertainment: This broad category can include comedy, skits, vlogs, and more.
• Gaming: Many YouTubers specialize in showcasing their gaming skills, walkthroughs, and commentary.
• Beauty and Fashion: This includes makeup tutorials, fashion reviews, and lifestyle content.
• Food: Food-related content ranges from cooking tutorials to restaurant reviews and food challenges.
• Music: YouTubers may specialize in covering music, creating original content, or sharing music-related tutorials.
• Sports: This can involve reviewing games, talking about sports teams, or sharing sports-related tips.
• Science and Technology: YouTubers in this field can explain scientific concepts, review tech gadgets, or explore technological advancements.
• Travel: This can involve documenting travel experiences, sharing travel guides, or exploring different cultures

 

Did You Know? Before TikTok, Vine, and Instagram Reels - there was YouTube. Arguably the first mainstream social media platform for video content - YouTube was launched in 2005 and quickly grew to become the second most visited website today - only following Google itself. The following is the top Australian YouTuber Bounce Patrol Kids (32.9M) 420 videos As YouTube has grown, so has its audiences of all ages - adults, teens, and most significant, young children. Over the years, YouTube has become a great outlet for children or parents looking for sources of kid-friendly entertainment. This is where Bounce Patrol Kids comes in - an Australian based channel launched in 2013 - and is coming in at a whopping 23.2 million subscribers. The group seem to be a modern-day Wiggles, with five live-action performers singing and dancing their way through 200 videos and a 14.7 total channel views. As children find themselves placed in front of iPhones or iPads for sources of entertainment, kid-friendly YouTube channels like Bounce Patrol Kids have become smashing successes. (Source: Local Digital)

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Demonstrable experience as a Vlogger, ideally on YouTube.
• Thoroughly knowledgeable about YouTube algorithms.
• High-definition, lightweight vlogging camera.
• Possession of pertinent filmmaking accessories.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Top-notch marketing and troubleshooting abilities.
• Transparent and reflexive approach to advertising.
• Thoughtful about your viewership.

 

(Source: YouTube)

Duties and Tasks

• Filming bite-sized, audience-appropriate videos at calculated intervals.
• Editing footage to attain consistent, refined, and brand-appropriate videos.
• Releasing and promoting your public videos.
• Informing subscribers of predictable delays in your uploads.
• Ability to encourage subscribers' purchase of channel memberships.
• Publishing limited content for channel members.
• Attending pertinent YouTube workshops.
• Observing YouTube and sponsorship-related guidelines.

Working conditions

Australian YouTubers, like other gig workers, often have flexible but sometimes precarious working conditions, with varying levels of income and benefits depending on their success and how they structure their work. They may not have the same protections as traditional employees, but laws are evolving to address some of these gaps.

• Income and Financial Security: Youtuber income can be highly variable and depend on factors like subscriber base, video views, advertising revenue, and sponsorships. Some YouTubers may be able to build a full-time career, while others may supplement their income with other work.
• Work Hours and Schedule: The hours and schedule for YouTubers are often flexible and self-determined, allowing them to work around other commitments or personal preferences. However, this flexibility can also lead to long hours and a blurring of work and personal life.
• Benefits: Unlike traditional employees, YouTubers generally don't receive benefits like paid leave, health insurance, or retirement plans. They are responsible for managing their own finances and expenses.
• Legal Protections: The Fair Work Act in Australia provides some protections for gig workers, including a minimum wage and rules about employment contracts. However, some gig workers, including YouTubers, may be classified as independent contractors, which can limit their access to certain benefits and legal protections.
• Gig Economy Concerns: As the gig economy grows, there are concerns about the working conditions and rights of gig workers, including issues like underpayment, lack of job security, and difficulty accessing support services.
• Emerging Protections: There are ongoing discussions and legislative efforts to address some of these concerns and provide better protections for gig workers in Australia, such as the proposed Gig Economy Legislation.

Tools and technologies

Common equipment includes cameras, microphones, editing software, and lighting equipment. Some also utilize specialized tools for specific content like drones for aerial footage or game-recording hardware for gaming channels.

• Cameras: Australian YouTubers use a range of cameras, from professional-grade cameras like Canon EOS series to more affordable options like GoPro for action shots, DJI Osmo Pocket for handheld stabilization, and Sony Alpha series for professional-quality footage.
• Microphones: Quality audio is crucial, so YouTubers often use microphones like Rode NT-USB Mini for desk-based content, Rode Wireless Go II for on-the-go recording, and Blue Yeti for broader audio capture.
• Editing Software: Popular software for video editing includes Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro.
• Lighting Equipment: Proper lighting is essential for good video quality. YouTubers might use softboxes, ring lights, or even just natural lighting for their videos.
• Specialized Equipment: Depending on the content, YouTubers may use drones for aerial shots, gaming recording hardware for gaming channels, or other specialized equipment like OBS Studio for live streaming.

(Source: Better Team)

Education and training/entrance requirements
  
There are no formal education or training requirements to become a YouTuber in Australia. While no qualifications are needed, possessing some technical and editing skills can be beneficial for creating high-quality content.

Globally, YouTube is increasingly used for news and information. YouTube is known as the second biggest search engine, after Google. The Digital News Report: Australia 2023 (DNR) reveals YouTube is increasingly used as a news source, with almost a quarter of Australians using the platform for news. The DNR also reveals that roughly half of the Australians who go to YouTube for news ‘mostly pay attention to mainstream media and journalists’. This means that about one in ten Australians are primarily receiving societal, political, and economic information from non-mainstream YouTube creators.


In Australia, Daisy Cousens (Master's degree) creates content commenting on cultural and political issues, and friendlyjordies (Bachelor's Degree) publishes videos on issues of political integrity, environmental destruction, and hyperlocal issues important to communities in regional NSW.

 

Primary Middle  Secondary Teacher
  
Can you tell the difference between "fake" and "real" images? How?
 

Discuss

Article from The Conversation 2 April 2025

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Materials sourced from

Indeed [How to become an Influencer; What are Influencers; ]
Better Team [Social Media Influencer Job Description; YouTuber; ]
Monash University [Bachelor of Media & Communications; ]
Art of Smart [Communications Careers; ]
UTS [So you want to be a YouTuber; ]
Zapier [Best Social Media Management Tools; ]
Jobsoid [Social Media Influencer; ]