The world has changed so much because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Within the span of a few months, the world as we knew it ceased to exist. Businesses all over had to shut down while workers suddenly faced unemployment – with expenses still in the horizon. Everyday citizens found themselves locked up in their homes. Socializing in person was prohibited, with keeping distance enforced to prevent the deadly virus from spreading.
Because of all these quarantines, curfews, and lockdowns, the online world became an even more powerful platform for socialization. With nearly every household having access to the internet, people still managed to keep in touch with others even while stuck indoors. People also started using these online connections to hold meetings while working from home. Even schools have offered hosting online lessons in place of attending classrooms.
The Rise of Influencers
Social media is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. With a push of a button, you can instantly send messages to people from halfway around the world. Using a webcam, video chats are also an option. Best of all, these features are free for any registered user of these sites.
However, the appeals of these sites go beyond mere instant messaging and photo sharing. Social media sites became a platform to push agendas, provide news updates, as well as advertise products to the public.
These websites can be a great way to meet new people, share your interests, follow celebrities, and gain popularity. People who found renown in these sites often used their large following to advertise products and push agendas. These people were known as influencers, capable of influencing millions with a single post.
The Art of Influencing
Influencing the opinions, whims, and actions of people can be tricky. Some of these influencers were subtle about their advertising. They usually use specific brands while posting or even simply mentioning them during a conversation. Others are more daring, stating their sponsors clearly and encouraging their followers to try them out. Whatever their methods, the results were clear – influencers were the future of advertising – or so it would seem.
Before the Coronavirus hit, the online world had a booming business revolving around social media influencersand product placements. It seemed like every product has an endorser, every podcast has a sponsor, and every social media account has a brand.
A Shift in Priorities
Now, times have changed yet again. With all the belt-tightening and looming economic depression for the foreseeable future, is the art of influencing dead? Influencers often used impulse purchases and whims in order to sell their products. Today, that may not be as easy. When everyone has their budget in front of them, will they be as willing to splurge on products they see online? Or will they save their funds for a rainy day? Is the age of influencing dead, or is it on a mere pause, soon to explode in popularity again once this Coronavirus period has come to a close?
