We caught up with photographer and fashion and beauty creator Federica to discuss the importance of static images for creators, navigating the world of influencer marketing, and the importance of protecting your peace on social media. 

Check out the full interview below!

Tell us about your background and how you started to build your following. 

I started to be on social media when Myspace and Netlog were the most famous platforms (so a long time ago!). I always loved to spend time on social media and for me, it was a hobby.

Beside that, I always studied Art (even when I was a child) and I continued to study it through high school and also at the Griffith Academy (where I studied Cinema and Photography). I think those mix of interests (art + social media) brought me to where I am right now. I’ve been on Instagram for years and I started to build a community in my free time.

Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which is your favourite?

My main audience is on Instagram where I have a community of 37.5K+ amazing young supporters. I love Instagram and it’s my favourite app to use. I prefer to focus on one social network to better boost my online presence but I’m also building my community on TikTok and recently I’m starting to use Twitter and LinkedIn also (amazing platforms!).

What type of content do you create, and which type works best for your audience?

My favourite content (and my community’s favourite) was and it will forever be (I guess) the permanent Instagram feed post with one static image. You know, Reels and Stories are new stuff and I feel a little old school sometimes.

Obviously I create Reels and Stories to reach more non-followers and to engage with my community but I love feed posts. As a photographer I see in images and pictures a lot. Videos are cool and fun but one image can literally tell a story with one frame. I also like carousels with different pictures and sometimes they work great!

How would you define “influencer marketing”?

I live in Italy and here when you say “influencer” the majority of people will laugh at you, seriously. Here it’s hard to understand that it’s a full time job. I like to define myself as a Content Creator which I think fits with me but I think “influencer marketing” it’s a huge underwater world that needs to be uncovered. I love this world but sometimes it’s hard to navigate in it.

I also see a lot of different ideas, and misunderstandings about it. I just think it might need to be more transparent, clear and defined.

Have you worked with brands before? How do you decide which brands to work with?

I have worked with brands for years and in 2022 I decided to switch to the next level. I started creating content for free, just for fun and to explore the collaborative universe.

Now, I’m very experienced and that’s why I only accept deals in line with my values, ideas and vibes. Of course I only accept partnerships with a budget in line with my profile. Now that’s my job and I’m super confident about what I do.

How do you think influencer marketing will change over the next 12 months?

It’s hard to answer. This year I personally saw a lot of interest in UGC for example. I love to create that kind of content and I do it daily for different brands and agencies. I think influencer marketing will slightly become similar to the UGC world which will be more wide, open and creative.

How has influencer marketing changed since you began working within social media?

It has changed a lot. Being an influencer was super difficult and exclusive to few fortunate ones. Now even small or micro influencers can work, with even 1k/10k+ followers. Years ago it was about followers, now it’s about engagement and that’s why the game has changed so much. Then TikTok and the covid pandemic both made a huge impact. People now tend to buy stuff after seeing a video on TikTok.

Influencer marketing changes every day and that’s why I like it!

Do you use any software to help create and edit your content?

Yes, I like to include in my workflow softwares like Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, or Canva. I also like some apps such as InShot, CapCut, Lightroom mobile, Meitu. It depends on what the content is and what edits it requires.

How do you balance your online and offline lives?

During 2022 I moved home for the first time in my life (I’m 27 years old). It was an amazing thing because now I’m independent but it was also super stressful. The best part of having

an online job is that you can do it from anywhere and when you want. Now I live with my boyfriend and I’m learning how to balance my work and the couple-life. It’s a little bit hard but I’m on my way to finding a strategy to live my online and offline life better.

Which influencers inspire you?

During my career I was so inspired by Italian influencers such as Anna Penello, Alice Basso or Giulia de Lellis. At one point I figured out that following particular profiles wasn’t good for me, because aspiring to be as successful as someone else isn’t the way to success. Everyone is different. Now I learned to be inspired by myself, from the lessons I learn and for the personal achieved goals.

Where would you like to take your career as an influencer?

Personally, I’m focusing more on the Content Creator side of the Influencer career. So I would love to see myself more productive and smart. I’m still learning and experimenting. I’m focusing on creating content for brand’s digital usage and to design ad strategies for brands.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

The gaming sphere has always been seen as a “boys club”, but recent data shows a more balanced picture. A survey in March 2023 showed that 47% of video game players were women. However, the popular streaming site Twitch doesn’t seem to reflect this.  

In 2022 female Twitch streamers constituted only 35% of Twitch’s streamer base, while males made up a whopping 65%. Nevertheless,  female UK Twitch streamers have thrived on the site!      

Twitch is filled to the brim with different streamers from all types of niches, game genres and locations worldwide. Female UK Twitch streamers offer a wide variety of content, including action intensive FPS games to immersive role-playing games – the female UK Twitch streamer scene has it all!

UK female Twitch streamers are defying expectations and gaining visibility! Many popular female streamers have partnered with global brands and esports teams. One notable example is popular UK female Twitch streamer Wolfabelle who has recently joined the prestigious ranks of TSM. 

As streaming has exploded in popularity, brands have taken notice. Companies like Lenovo Legion and Asus ROG have created “Stream Teams.” Apparel brands like GymShark, streamer sites like Crunchyroll, and even movies like the recent Dungeons & Dragons film recognize the value of streaming and more specifically UK female Twitch streamers. The question now is, who will be the next brand to capitalise on this trend?

If you’re looking for some of the top UK female Twitch streamers for your next campaign don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Our top 15 UK female Twitch streamers

Sweet Anita – 1.9M

First and foremost, Sweet Anita. She is the UK’s Top Female streamer with a whooping 1.9 Million Followers on Twitch! She streams a variety of games from Overwatch, Apex Legends and Among Us. On her stream and in her spare time, she also advocates for animal rescue and neurodivergent awareness as she has Tourette’s syndrome herself.

Talia Mar – 746K

Singer, songwriter and streamer extraordinaire, Talia Mar streams a variety of games including Among Us and, more recently, Valorant. She streams herself reacting to trending content such as Sidemen videos and “try not to laugh” compilations.

Apricot (ask about V Tubers) – 403K  

Apricot or better known by her Vtuber name Froot. Vtubers or Virtual Youtubers are a new wave of streamers where the person behind the stream will show themselves as their 2D/3D Character Models. Apricot usually streams a variety of games from FPS like Apex Legends To MOBA’s like Smite.

Kiwo – 341K 

Kiwo is best known for her exceptional roleplay on games like GTA 5 and even streamed D&D campaigns. She usually streams GTA 5 roleplay on the private servers where she plays a variety of characters from hardened cops to crazy criminals.

Wolfabelle – 293K 

Member of the Lenovo Legion UKI Stream team and the newest content creator to the Esport team TSM, Wolfabellle is another roleplay and variety streamer playing games such as FFXIV, GTA 5 and Valorant.

Freyzplayz – 277K 

Freyzplayz, also known as Freya, is a variety streamer that does everything. No matter if you’re looking for a fright in Outlast or some Fall Guys Action, Freyz has you covered.

Chloe Lock – 227K 

Self-proclaimed to be “good and bad at games”, Chloe is a variety streamer who plays everything. But at the moment is focusing on the Uncharted Series of games.

Geenelly – 187K 

If she’s not being plastered on a billboard for a Samsung campaign in Piccadilly Circus, geenelly is back at home streaming Fortnite & Minecraft in her cosy set-up!

LEAH – 175K 

Leah or Leahviathan is a streamer, gaming host and TTRPG fan. You may have already seen her presenting at the BAFTAGameAwards or even as her character in Dying Light 2. Catch her on Twitch streaming variety including Apex & League of Legends.

Ashi – 118K 

The second Vtuber on the list is known for her GTA RP antics and more recently taking on the brand new The Legend Of Zelda game.

Karagii – 77.2K 

Content creator for Legendary Esport Team T1, Karagii is an FPS streamer who shows her skills in Valorant. Whether she’s smoking Corners with Omen or watching Corners with Cypher, Karagii has you covered.

Alyska – 76.3K

Another member of the Lenovo Legion Stream team, Alyska is a variety streamer who truly plays everything. If a new hot game is out chances are you’ll find Alyska playing it.

Holiwhirl – 68.8K 

You can usually find Holiwhirl dominating the outlands of Apex Legends showing her high-level skill and mechanics in her Master Solo Queue Games.

Kay Wordley – 43.6K 

As a self-confessed Riot Games addict and Fnatic content creator, you can catch Kay streaming any Riot Game from Valorant to TFT or even hosting watch parties for Fnatics Valorant Matches.

LexieMariex – 41.2K 

Lexie is known for her interactions with her audience and viewers, often doing Q&A and Agony Aunt segments in between playing matches on Valorant.

FAQs

Who is the #1 female Twitch streamer?

As of the writing of this blog, the most subscribed female streamer is the South Korean streamer Jinnytty.

What percentage of Twitch streamers are female?

In 2022 Female Twitch Streamers only made up 35% of Twitch’s streamer base.

What is the most popular game among female Twitch streamers?

Valorant is the most popular game for female Twitch streamers. 

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to receive our industry insights, visit our influencer marketing & social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

YouTube is an ideal home for technology influencers, but why?

YouTube is known for its long-form and visual content, allowing creators to endorse their products & brands in ways other socials just can’t. In our case, we are talking about the biggest tech influencers with their cool gadgets and gizmos.

YouTube is the second most popular social media platform boasting 2.1 billion active users worldwide, with 122 million users per day. Those are some impressive stats,  and yes, they include your grandma Rosie when she sends you a cringe-worthy video from 2006.

This makes the platform an ideal medium for technology influencers to showcase their expertise through tantalising tech tutorials, riveting reviews, product comparisons, and in-depth DIY demonstrations of your dream gaming rig being pieced together. All in all, whatever the content, us nerds are picky; we want to know about the latest tech in the most engaging and informative way possible. YouTube is the platform for this.

With this in mind, we want to take you on a deep dive into our top tech influencers on YouTube. So stick around and read on because you’re about to embark on a journey to discover the best technology influencers in the game, celebrating their electrifying content & intricate personalities.

Introducing our top 20 Technology Influencers

Marques Brownlee

Who better to start this list than the man, the myth, the legend, Marques Brownlee. With his unrivalled knowledge, witty charm, and infectious enthusiasm, Marques takes the tech world by storm, one gadget at a time. Whether conducting in-depth reviews on smartphones or laptops, Marques always captivates and informs his audience daily, making it no surprise that he has amassed a whopping 16.9 million followers.

Unbox Therapy

If you haven’t heard of this technology influencer, you have been living under a USB port. Unbox Therapy, the tech titan with 18.2 million subscribers, is one of the undisputed legends of unboxing and gadget exploration. (I mean, it’s in his name) If a hot new gadget is hitting the market, you can bet your motherboard that Unbox Therapy has already torn into it with the excitement of an adolescent child on their birthday. Unbox Therapy effortlessly blends charm, humour, and a passion for tech, making him a key figure in the space.

Linus tech tips

It’s time to fix your gaze on Linus Tech Tips, a must-have personality on any technology influencer list! From epic PC builds to riveting tech experiments, Linus Tech captures his audience with charm, boundless energy and a sprinkle of Canadian humour when talking about his passion for tech. Linus’s influence is prominent through his Wikitubia accolade-winning Favourite Tech Channel in 2021, so if you need a talking tech textbook or are just looking for a good old laugh, Linus is your guy!

IJustine

IJustine is the tech maven whose content knows no bounds. From breaking down the greatest gaming consoles to in-depth tech reviews, unboxing and vlogs across the board, she simply is the queen of entertainment & insights in tech. Her success is noted through her 7 million followers and brand collaborations, including the high-end Luggage brand Samsara.

Austin Evans

Austin Evans is a sight to behold. With his sharp wit and uncanny ability to break down the most  complex tech, from custom gaming rigs to Phones and high-octane cars, his content can’t go unnoticed. His ability to delve into the tech ecosystem weaving masterful stories to hook his audience into the expansive circuit board of technology, is a sight to behold, and his followers agree too, with over 5.38 million subscribers.

MrMobile 

You’re due for a new phone upgrade? Don’t worry; MrMobile’s (Michel Fisher) got you covered with in-depth product reviews and hands-on experiences for everything mobile and tablets. He’s teamed up with Future PlC – a multimedia company revolving around everything tech, further discerning Fisher’s clear niche and passion. He has amassed an impressive 1.22m subscribers.

Mrwhoseyourboss

Mr who? Mr whoseyourboss, the technology influencer with a staggering 14.7 million subscribers, that’s who. He intertwines a peak level of tech prowess paired with palpable charm and British humour to yield high engagement and audience reach. On top of his creative content, he often collaborates with big names Like Vikstar123 from the Sidemen, creating humorous and trending content outfitted in his unique style.

Sara Dietschy

Sara is a multifaceted influencer with content revolving around tech, creativity and entrepreneurship, attracting a broad and eagle-eyed fan base of over 916k subscribers. Regarding her technology prowess, Dietschy doesn’t limit herself to showing knowledge across the board, from cameras and drone reviews to laptop comparisons and tech apparel demos; Dietschy also advocates entrepreneurship motivating her audience daily.

LGR

Get ready to blast from the past with LGR’s retro-fitted tech content. With over 1.62m subscribers under his belt, LGR fits a niche within the market with his old-school pc reviews, retro gaming lets plays, unboxings and elusive tech tales. It’s like stepping into a time machine where floppy disks and pedantic loading screens reign supreme.

OzTalksHW

It’s time to introduce the wizard of gaming tech and pc builds, OzTalksHW, as he dazzles his audience with magical cutting-edge tech content revolving around custom pc builds, detailed gaming specs tailored to your needs paired with a spell-binding persona to entrance his audience of 371k followers. So if you’re in the market for a powerful PC rig to handle your gaming demand, let OzTalksHW conjure suggestions.

UrAvgConsumer

Meet Ur everyday AvgConsumer (the not-so-average technology influencer with 3.22 million subscribers. Regarding gadgets, UrAvgConsumer will help you discern the newest tech, from smartphones and earbuds to smart home devices, desktop setups, work apparel and gaming devices, helping you navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape like a pro.

Omardizer

Now we focus on one of our fave technology influencers in the UAE, known as Omardizer, a tech superstar with a sizable follower count of 4.09 million subscribers. Regarding tech and gadget reviews, Omardozar has the Midas touch, fearlessly delving into the latest tech trends, gadgets, and toys on the market.

Haider Tech

Technology influencers are in full force today. That’s why it’s rare to find someone that stands out from the crowd – you know where we’re going with this. Haider Tech is a master of his craft, broadening his tech knowledge exponentially. From smartphones and cool toy gadgets that pack a punch to tablets and smart devices that redefine portability, he explores the tech galaxy, showcasing the best and brightest stars balancing user practicality and fun in his content. He has a growing audience with 574k subscribers.

Created by Ella

It’s time to spotlight Created by Ella, a courageous computer science university student by day and tantalising tech influencer by night. She has amassed 271k subscribers and is here to show that geekiness and glam go hand in hand. Her content revolves around cutting-edge technology and user innovations with core content pillars, including tech comparisons, reviews and unboxing videos that just leave you yearning for more.

Techmeout

Techmeout is a creator you have to follow – non-negotiable! Is it her ability to find and review the hottest tech trends and gadgets? Yes. Is it because of her mastery of smartphones to discern the best apps to download for IOS and Android, respectively? Double yes!! And is it because of her experience collaborating with brands like Rivian – an electric car company showing her expertise and reach in the tech space, triple yes!!! Tech me out is a rising star with 391K subscribers and earns a spot on our technology influencers list.

Krystal Lora

Jolt your interests for Krystal Lora, a tech influencer turning heads with 330k followers and counting. Putting her on our list was a no-brainer when going through her electrifying channel. From smartphone and laptop hardware, informative product reviews & experiments, creative DIY videos showcasing stylish desktop designs and surprising knowledge of the latest cars making, Loras’ channel the golden CPU that powers your interest.

The Tech Chap 

The Tech Chap is a tech influencer that is the epitome of English satire. I mean, his name couldn’t be any more British. Armed with a sharp wit, a cuppa in hand, and a passion for laptops, phones, and PC hardware, this chap is here to help you with all your tech troubleshooting. Regarding specific user issues around product pricing and firmware, The Tech Chap is like Sherlock Holmes deceiving your needs and wants – it’s no shock he has over 1.38 million subscribers.

Oliur / UltraLinx

Oliur is one of those technology influencers that we all gravitate towards. Whether through his DIY magic for workspaces and houseware, his knowledge in all your favourite tech amenities like Monitors, phones, speakers and electric cars or his personal touch of lifestyle content, Oliur is unforgettable in content and persona. He has over 279k followers.

Hayls World 

Welcome to Hayls World, a tech influencer supercharging the space with a staggering 1.5 million subscribers. Her tech-centric content allows you to transport to a world of tech tips and tricks, secret hardware features, crazy gadget findings, reviews, and product demos and tutorials.

Russell Stannard (Teacher Training Videos)

Lastly, we have tech influencer and teacher extraordinaire Russel Stannard, with 75.5k followers. What makes Russel unique in the tech community is his ability to not only review and showcase the latest and greatest gadgets, gizmos and trending software like AI but also educate his audience on how to harness the power of these technologies and make the most out of them, ultimately jumpstarting our and your user – product experience.

FAQs

How do technology influencers make money?

Typically, the most common ways for tech creators to make money are through sponsored posts and affiliate marketing, where brands will reach out to creators to promote their product or service on respective social media platforms or have them work on commission for every affiliate link sale.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to receive our industry insights, visit our influencer marketing & social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

Snapchat slipped off the map slightly in the past few years, but new Snapchat updates have given the platform a new lease of life. 

With Snapchat updates including new monetisation features for Snap creators, a brand new AI bestie, larger options for discovery and sharing, and more interactive marketing features, Snapchat is set to become a dream for users, brands and creators. 

Snapchat Updates: Engagement insights

As of 2023, Snapchat has over 383 million active users, and over 350 million Spotlight users, which is also showing a 170% uplift in annual viewership. 

The audience is still skewed towards younger audiences, with the majority aged between 18 and 24, but this can climb up to 35. 

But what are the updates the platform has implemented to keep this number climbing, and more importantly, will they work?

Snapchat Updates: Creator

Creator monetisation: Crystals

Snapchat’s update for creator monetisation has made the platform become a creator favourite, attracting some of social’s biggest names. Snapchat’s Snap Stars revenue stream reportedly splits revenue 50/50—a significantly more lucrative split than other platforms offer. 

Creators within Snap Stars are paid in Crystals—the exchange rate works out to $1 to 10 Crystals, and can be paid out once a creator has earned over 1,000 Crystals (or $100). 

Snapchat also allows Stars to earn through gifts. This is where users essentially tip their favourite creators by sending sticker-like or filter gifts, to even more expensive items like Bitmoji outfits and Lenses. Users need to purchase Snap Tokens in order to send virtual gifts.

Stories Revenue Share Program

Creators with over 50K followers, 25M views, or 12 hours of view time are eligible for Snapchat’s Stories Revenue Share Program. Creators within the program can place ads within their Stories, generating recurring revenue. 

The Program allows users over 18 to share their Story content with friends and a wider audience from one account, and even schedule Stories to go live at any time. Scheduled Stories is particularly useful given Snapchat’s new feature of tagging locations. 

Snapchat Updates: New features 

My AI

One of Snapchat’s newest features is MyAI—an artificial intelligence bestie for Snapchatters. The tool can hold a conversation, help you find gift ideas, answer trivia, and more. Users can start a chat with the bot just as they would with a real friend. 

Snapchatters can even bring their AI into group chat conversations by @’ing them, and asking questions on behalf of the group. 

The bot was initially only available to Snap+ subscribers, but has since rolled out to all users. The bot has gone viral on multiple other social platforms for people posting funny conversations, but also for safety concerns. 

The AI bot is still learning and developing, and runs on a custom version of AI tech provided by ChatGPT’s maker OpenAI. The bot can often switch from responsible adult to mischievous friend within the same conversation.

After Dark

After Dark is Snapchat’s edited version of BeReal. It’s where users can make and send content to their friends after 8PM, but recipients can only view the content after posting their own Story. The feature was added to allow users to create a space to “relive last night’s escapades.” 

This feature can not only be used by Snapchatter, but brands. Brands could post exclusive After Dark discount codes and deals to their most loyal fans. 

Snapchat Updates: Marketing opportunities 

AR Enterprises Services (ARES)

ARES allows brands to use AR tech to enhance brand experiences for users through the Shopping Suite. Through the Shopping Suite, users can access three AR elements; the 3D Viewer, AR Try-On, and the Fit Finder. Tools available within the Shopping Suite work in tandem to provide bespoke virtual shopping experiences for brands and users. 

Snapchat has been at the forefront of AR tech since its conception. ARES has made third-party integrations seamless, offering a fluid shopping experience to users that brands can leverage. AR tech makes shopping interactive and fun for users.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

We spoke to lifestyle, travel and beauty influencer Rahma (@____rahma on Instagram, and @rahmaxali on TikTok), to discuss making a hobby a career, changes in the influencer marketing space, and balancing online and offline. 

Check out the full blog below! 

Tell us about your background and how you started to build your following. 

My background is actually in Biology, I never considered myself to be creative whatsoever. I went on a girl’s trip to Malta in my last year of uni, and vlogged to capture the moment for myself and during the editing process, I had a sudden urge to give YouTube a try. Editing really allowed me to express a creative side I never knew I had and for a long time creating content was just a hobby.

When vlogging, do you tend to plan your days around what you want your next vlog to be about, or plan your vlogs around whatever you are doing that day? 

When vlogging no two days are the same. If I know I’m doing something exciting I plan my days around the vlog, however I’m quite spontaneous and like to vlog what I’m up to day to day.

@rahmaxali

Wedding glam 🧕🏾🫶🏾✨@Morphe 2 @Lancôme @Charlotte Tilbury @e.l.f. Cosmetics @elfcosmetics @maccosmetics @Sephora UK @MorpheOfficial @Rose Inc @NARS Cosmetics @BourjoisParis @COSRX Official @Supergoop #somalitiktok #hijabitiktok #hijabi #somali #muslimtiktok #dirac

♬ original sound – Rahma Ali

Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which is your favourite? 

I enjoy each platform for its unique reasons. YouTube will always have a place in my heart as it’s where my journey as a creator began. TikTok is fast-paced and the algorithm always introduces me to new things, whilst Instagram is quite aesthetic and allows you to keep up with what your friends and family are up to on Stories.

What type of content do you create, and which type works best for your audience? 

I create a lot of vlogs. I enjoy travelling and YouTube allows me to share my experiences and connect with new people.

How would you define “influencer marketing”? 

Influencer marketing is a form of social media marketing. Creators all have different interests so they are placed between a brand/product and their audience. Usually, a creator will align with what they are sharing with their audience which is a great way to share beneficial products and services. I have often been more inclined to try products recommended by influencers if I enjoy their other content.

@rahmaxali

Date/Timir Cake 🫶🏾✨ #ramdanseries #ramdanbaking #bakingrecipe #datecake #timircake #muslimtiktok #somalitiktok #ramdanmubarak

♬ original sound – ᴍᴏʜᴀ__ᴛʏᴘɪɴɢ🖤✨🎵

 

Have you worked with brands before? How do you decide which brands to work with? 

I have worked with quite a few brands, and if I enjoy the product/service that a brand is selling I decide to work with them. However, if I have no interest I would rather wait for offers that align with me and my audience.

How do you think influencer marketing will change over the next 12 months? 

Of course, influencer marketing will drastically change in the next 12 months. The space is always changing with new trends, platforms and software features, such as short-form videos becoming more prevalent in our consumption. I’m sure a new social media platform will come along and draw all of our attention soon.

How has influencer marketing changed since you began working within social media?

When I first started creating content, TikTok wasn’t around. There has also been a huge shift in brands working with micro-influencers. I believe everyone has influence and sometimes you trust what your friends recommend without needing a huge platform. Also, social norms are changing, you don’t have to look a certain way or come from a specific background, anyone can create content.

Do you use any software to help create and edit your content? 

I use my phone a large amount of the time, it’s always in my hands and the cameras are becoming better by the day! For vlogs I use my Canon G7X Mark 2; I’ve actually been using the same camera for 3 years and it hasn’t let me down and I use iMovie to edit. I learnt how to edit from scratch with my first vlog and learn new techniques all the time through YouTube.

How do you balance your online and offline lives? 

The easiest way to balance your life on and offline is to be yourself, you won’t feel the pressure of having to present yourself in a certain way, and you don’t always have to be done-up or funny, be genuine and you’ll attract an audience that appreciates you for you.

Which influencers inspire you? 

At the moment I’m inspired by fitness creators, it’s an aspect of my life I’m working on so I take inspiration from workouts, recipes and exercise classes such as Pilates. I gave Pilates a try last week despite being fairly unathletic and it was such a good decision, sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to get new experiences.

Where would you like to take your career as an influencer? 

It’s less about where I’d like to take my career and more about where I’d like my career to take me. I enjoy going with the flow but I’d love to spend more time travelling in 2023.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here. For our previous Influencer Session, click here!

@ Socially Powerful

We caught up with entrepreneur, burn survivor and body-positive activist Sylvia Mac, known online as @love_disfigure. Check out what she has to say about advocating for those with visible/hidden/invisible differences, learning to love her body unconditionally and using her platform to raise awareness. 

Check out the full blog for more!

What do you do/remind yourself/say to yourself on the days when your body confidence is low? Would you recommend the same to others?

When my body confidence is low, I remind myself that I am still alive. I survived a terrible accident and am so lucky to be here today. I remind myself of all the beautiful friends and family in my life and those I continue to meet as I walk my life path.

I would remind others that have gone through trauma that they’re survivors and they should embrace the word because it’s so special and it makes them strong, unique, and beautiful. To people and other burn survivor that are struggling with their bodies I would remind them that it’s what’s on the inside that’s more important, but they should try to look in the mirror and tell themselves daily just how beautiful and amazing they are as women.

Tell us about your background and how you started to build your following.

I am a Burn Survivor Thriving! I spent most of my young and adult life self-body hating suffering severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. I was bullied for having scars and hid them away under baggy clothing most of my life until I had a turning point in 2016 on a beach holiday. I came home and set up Love Disfigure in a Facebook group sharing photos, stories and life about my scars. It grew to 6,000 until Facebook changed their guidelines and deleted half my followers. Then someone told me to start posting on Instagram. From there I reached out to people with visible/hidden/invisible difference, disfigurement, and disability to join me on protests and campaigns.

Many of my campaigns went viral for example standing outside Victoria Secret or having bikini photo campaigns appearing on TV and in the press. I became a Body Positive person to follow appearing in Top 10-100 charts in Good Housekeeping, Insider, Oh My Mag, Nomipalony, Amra & Elma. I also appeared in magazines such as Meaw and GQ talking about Kylie Jenner sharing her leg scar. All of this encouraged me to keep going and helping a community that didn’t exist at the time but now have multiple Instagram and social media accounts.

Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which is your favourite?

My main platform is Instagram but I will be setting up a link tree and posting on TikTok. I use Twitter and Facebook, but normally share the same across the board. Instagram has always been my favourite but I’m now having to use Reels as photos don’t seem to be doing it as much these days.

What type of content do you create and which works best for your audience?

I create content about the body, and it seems to work well with my audience as they like to see me embracing my scars and skin. I’ve helped many people online to celebrate their bodies by wearing bikinis on the beach. I love that I can do that and receiving messages from around the globe is just beautiful.

How would you define “influencer marketing”?

I would define influencer marketing as a type of social media marketing with influencers being placed with brands but at the same time being experts in our field by sharing their product with our followers.

Have you worked with brands before? How do you decide which brands to work with?

Yes I have worked with brands before. I always choose what fits my story i.e., anything that goes with body positivity but at the same time me, the person.

How do you think influencer marketing will change over the next 12 months?

I think influencer marketing will grow over the next 12 months so long as there is a need for influencers. I can see more people online sharing their stories and becoming influencers. Some of them are certified which helps when collaborations are being offered.

How has influencer marketing changed since you started working with social media?

When I began sharing my story on social media, there weren’t many influencers online. There were only people with a high number of followers or celebrity influencers. 

Do you use any software to help create and edit your content?

I use Inshot and Canva to help me create and edit my content.

How do you balance your online and offline lives?

I find it much easier to balance life online and offline. During covid I found time to do things that I loved with my family whereas before I would spend all day on socials. There are certain times of day I will post but normally create it all beforehand rather than in the moment.

Which influencers inspire you?

I really like @jameelajamil and @meganjaynecrabbe . It was a shock to find myself on the Body Positive charts alongside Megan.

Where would you like to take your career as an influencer?

I’ve spent 6 years creating content on my own and always wanted to be with an agency so that I could work with more brands, grow more and at the same time continue raising awareness. I want to work with brands so I can show my community that even burn survivors can become signed influencers.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here. For our previous Influencer Session, click here!

@ Socially Powerful

In a generation that needs constant gratification, ‘YouTube Gaming’ is a staple of many hours of downtime for content consumers across the globe.

As one of the pioneers of influencer marketing, YouTube has helped both creators and brands bring in huge revenues. Today, live streaming has secured its place at the epicentre of ‘YouTube Gaming’ with the top YouTube streamers generating millions of views every day, further highlighting the opportunity for both brands and influencers to reach enormous audiences, promoting both themselves and their products.

Each type of streamer offers their own special, engaging persona, offering an array of content for each consumer to navigate through. Whilst this is good for the consumer, it also represents opportunities for brands to get different messages out, using the biggest streamers on YouTube as vehicles by which to do so.

This blog will list the top YouTube streamers in the gaming industry with the highest engagement rates and most organic content, perfect for brand collaborations.

Top YouTube Streamers in 2023

Ilyaselmaliki1

727K Subscribers

Ilyas Elmaliki is a prime example of variety streamer, building a huge following from reacting to trending videos as well as extending his reach to the gaming scene to further enhance his audience engagement. With an average of 34K views per stream and a whopping 8.9M hours watched in a month, Ilyasel has become one of the most popular YouTube streamers of 2023.

IShowSpeed

16.5M Subscribers

IShowSpeed is consistently one of the biggest YouTube streamers. In addition to his popularity in IRL video content, Speed has a cult following as one of the biggest YouTube gaming streamers, originally posting Fortnite in his rise to popularity and now focusing on FIFA. He has drawn in huge average viewership of around 46K per stream with an impressive total of 8.5M hours watched . As one of the youngest streamers on the list, his run at the pinnacle of the most popular YouTube streamers can only represent a bright future for IShowSpeed.

Timthetatman

4.9M Subscribers

One of the veterans of YouTube, Timthetatman has been ever present at the forefront of live gaming, with his Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite and CS:GO content highlighting him as one of the most popular YouTube gaming streamers Tim’s following has grown and grown, and his popularity is already being utilised by some of the biggest gaming brands out there, such as HyperX and Discord.

NobruTV

14.2M Subscribers

The Brazilian streamer Nobru may be the only South American in the list of top YouTube streamers, but his content more than makes up for it. Posting mostly mobile games, he is the most popular mobile streamer on this list. Nobru is a top eSports player, offering mostly shooter game content as well as games such as ‘Fall Guys’ he is one of the most popular streamers, with around 7.1M hours of watchtime in a month.

Kazuha Channel

1.52M Subscribers

As the top YouTube streamer from the continent of Asia, Kahuza has amassed a large following through his gameplay of both gripping story-line games as well as popular multiplayer titles such as ‘Apex Legends’ and ‘League of Legends’. In addition to being one of the most popular YouTube streamers right now with 6.9M monthly views, Kahuza is VTuber, using a virtual avatar as a vehicle to connect with his fans rather than using a facecam.

MarshaOfficial

2.62M Subscribers

Another prominent mobile streamer is Marsha Owaza, with his content focused on huge multiplayer battle arena games such as ‘League of Legends’. Marsha is currently the biggest YouTube streamer from Indonesia with his eccentric behaviour and Gen Z humour propelling him to his status as one of the top YouTube streamers.

WindahBasadura

10.4M Subscribers

Once again originating from Indonesia, Windah Basadura offers a variety of gaming content for viewers to enjoy. Operating in the mobile and console gaming scene, Windah has an enormous following creating content on games like ‘FIFA’, ‘Grand Theft Auto 5’ and other popular games with a particular proclivity for horror. His organic gaming content places him as one of the biggest YouTube streamers in the world.

Pekora Channel

2.22M Subscribers

Taking her place in the top 10, Pekora Channel is the first female entry in the list of top YouTube streamers. Another VTuber, Pekora uses an AI avatar to interact with her fans posting various types of gaming content with very upbeat and engaging content. As Japan’s 2nd most popular streamer, Pekora represents a growing community of female gamers becoming some of the top YouTube streamers.

DrDisrespect

4.33M Subscribers

DrDisrespect has been around for a long time, with a cult following and consistently high viewing stats, he is one of the top YouTube streamers ever, producing massive amounts of content spanning FPS, storyline and various games that have been hugely popular over the years. With around 6.25M monthly viewers, DrDisrespect is a staple of the YouTube Gaming scene.

XINNN

4.18M Subscribers

Just squeezing in at the end is Xinnn, once again hailing from Indonesia and keeping up the trend of mobile gaming Xinnn is a popular eSports competitor drawing in around 5.5M monthly views. As well as Marsha and Windah, Xinnn concentrates on multiplayer battle ground titles such as ‘Mobile Legends’ and is not only one of the top players, but also top YouTube streamers for the game.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

We caught up with musician and lover of all things 70s, Ashleigh Elizabeth, or as you may know her @daisyjonesirl. Check out what she has to say about getting creative within your own niche, vintage fashion and working hard to achieve your influencer goals.

Check out the full blog for more!

What inspired your love for 70s fashion?

My main inspiration for my love of 70s fashion is the music. Specifically The Beatles. My interest in The Beatles started to grow, and as I dug into their music I started to fall in love with late 60s early 70s fashion. Soon people like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix started to stand out to me and all the bright and funky patterns just really excited me! Plus I’ve always liked alternative fashion to mainstream fashion, so jumping back in time was super fun!

Tell us about your background and how you started to build your following?

When I was around 15/16, I was very interested in Alt music and fashion, and had a YouTube channel where I made Alt music content. I managed to gain around 5K subscribers which was so exciting back then. When I started posting vintage stuff, I thought “I wonder if I could build my following again,” and so I started to find other girls into the same thing, and just started going for it! I was a little shocked when it took off so quickly!

@daisyjonesirl

“i am the impossible woman” 🌼 . . #daisyjones #daisyjonesandthesix #daisyjonesandthesixshow #daisyjonesirl #daisyjonesandthesixbook #outfits #daisyjonesandthesixbook #fyp #foryou #djats #60s #70s #retro #vintage #thehippieshake

♬ som original – mi☆

Which platforms do you predominantly use and which are your favourite?

I mostly use Instagram and TikTok. Instagram is my favourite so far as I know how to work it, I know my audience and I know how to work the algorithm. I haven’t quite figured out the TikTok algorithm perfectly yet, but I enjoy making content for it so I keep on with it!

What type of content do you create, and which type works best for your audience?

I tend to make outfit content, that’s what my audience likes the most. Any Instagram posts that are funky outfits, patterns and colours tend to do well! In terms of video, I love making “Styling” videos; styling pieces to look vintage or trying on vintage dresses / clothes. They usually do well, I think my audience likes that the most.

How would you define influencer marketing?

I think influencer marketing is the promotion of yourself and your product; whether that product is something physical or you are your own brand. I think it is the same as selling a product; it’s really believing that what you have (your content) is really great and people will love it.

@daisyjonesirl

pls pls help me pick an outfit i beg.. #70s #60s #vintage #daisy #daisyjones #daisyjonesandthesix #fyp #daisyjonesoutfit #stevienicks #fleetwoodmac #silversprings

♬ Gold Dust Woman (Live 1977) [2013 Remaster] – Fleetwood Mac

Have you worked with brands before? How do you decide which brands to work with?

I have worked with quite a few small Instagram clothing brands that align well with my aesthetic and my values. I usually pick brands to work with based on if I’d shop from them myself. If they offer products that I would genuinely wear or use myself, and if the company has an ethos that I agree with ie, sustainable small businesses.

How do you think influencer marketing will change over the next 12 months?

I think more people are growing in influencer marketing than ever before; people are learning and building themselves up and I think it’s great. I think influencer marketing will change for the better , and learning and information about it will become more accessible. 

How has influencer marketing changed since you began working on social media?

For me, it’s changed quite a lot since I started growing my own platforms. It’s never something I considered seriously so I’ve had to learn a lot about how social media works and the best ways to optimise myself and my content. The algorithm and the market is always changing and I feel as though I’m always learning.

@daisyjonesirl

some vintage outfit inspo for ya ✨ #vintage #70s #60s #daisyjonesandthesix #fyp #70sfashion #70soutfit #60sfashion #shellyduvall #outfitinspo

♬ Shelly duVALLLLLL xxXxxXxxXx – Lauv

Do you use any software to help you create and edit your content?

When editing my photos, I use the app Prequel for funky effects and colours over the top. But for my video I use Final Cut Pro. I’ve been using it in a professional manner for years so I am really familiar with it. 

How do you balance your online and offline lives?

I feel like my online and personal life are very intertwined. I like to make sure my online content is really real and raw, and I am my authentic self online. So I like to intertwine them when and where I can, though I do think it’s very important to keep some things separate. I do this by logging off for a certain amount of time a day, or week, and just read or watch some cosy shows (usually 70s related!) 

Which influencers inspire you?

A lot of the influencers that inspire me. I have been lucky enough to call my friends! Some of my favourite influencers that really inspire me are @kaleidoscopemilly @gia.skye @conniemcclean and @emilyriboflavin 

Where would you like to take your career as an influencer?

It’s my absolute biggest dream to eventually be able to make my influencer life my full time job. To be able to make money from doing what I love, making content for people who are like minded and just sharing the thing that I am the most passionate about , is the ultimate dream. I feel like I’ll stop at nothing to achieve that dream.

Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

It’s not new news that TikTok plays an incredible role in whether a brand or product becomes popular—especially with Gen Z consumers. Every week there’s a new hot product making the rounds, influencing users in their thousands to rush and make a new purchase.

A particular consumer profile TikTok has been influencing heavily is male beauty shoppers. The male beauty market has grown rapidly over the past few years, and is estimated to be worth $110 billion by 2030.

Insights from GWI showed that beauty and cosmetics have been the fastest interest within male consumers, increasing by 21% in just three years. Interest really peaked during the first COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020, while TikTok’s user base was growing at an incredible rate.

During early 2020, easy skincare was all the rage on TikTok. People had more time on their hands through working from home, being furloughed, or having school/university postponed, meaning they could put their efforts towards something not previously considered—in this instance, skincare. TikTok created a wealth of beauty and skincare content, offering in-depth and beginner friendly tutorials and breakdowns on skincare, hair care, and grooming.

Male-centred beauty hashtags have made a splash on the platform. The #mensgrooming hashtag has over 1.7 billion views, and #mensmakeup has over 351 million.

@luke.corbett Blushin pt 2 #mensmakeup #beauty #blush #grwmmakeup ♬ Satellite speed audio – 1D Audioz

Men in beauty isn’t a new concept, but it’s gradually filtering down to become a daily norm for many men. TikTok has helped break the gender stereotypes down, reducing the restrictions men previously felt towards beauty, and has paved a new path for self expression.

On the platform, there are countless videos of men sharing their “undetectable boy beats”, which is essentially no-makeup makeup. Many men have shared their thoughts on makeup, and how it helps them feel more confident by hiding any skincare concerns they have.

In addition to skincare, and natural-finish beauty products, men have also become more interested in traditionally feminine beauty products. With the rise of different aesthetics, including e-boy and indie sleaze, there’s been a significant increase in male-beauty content around eyeshadow, eyeliner, and nail polish.

@dthekorean Would you put blood on your face? 😏 #korean #kbeauty #koreanskincare #chemicalpeel #Skin1004partner #skincarehacks #skincaretips ♬ Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Frank Sinatra

Popular male skincare TikToker David Kim proposes that the rise of male beauty and grooming stems from the commonplace of social media. With the selfie-culture and aesthetically-focused content prevalent on social media, men have become more aware of their appearances than previous generations, and are directly confronting their insecurities with beauty, skincare and grooming.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen male-focused beauty and grooming brands burst into virality thanks to TikTok. Due to many men working from home, they have been able to experiment with skincare and makeup with time and privacy they haven’t previously had.

@stryx_official Reply to @_quantreau 🦈 #sharktank #mensmakeup #mensskincare #beautyindustry #mensskincareproducts ♬ Low Down – venbee & Dan Fable

Jon Shanahan, co-founder of male cosmetics and grooming band Stryx, bases a large portion of the brand’s success on the disruptive nature of the brand. He informs that the best performing videos are those that show a masculine-presenting man putting effort towards their appearance, and it’s this shock factor that helps the brand stand out.

He also states that his top performing videos are GRWMs when he has a moustache. He believes the juxtaposition of a masculine moustache combined with makeup catches people off guard, resulting in longer view times and higher engagement.

As social media and TikTok continue to battle the social constraints against male skincare and beauty, we expect to see more creators and brands continue to show men that skincare, cosmetics and grooming are their friends and can offer them a boost of confidence.

Our Influencer marketing agency and Social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to receive our industry insights, visit our Influencer Marketing & Social Media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful

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ICYMI, a bill has been pushed forward by the Republican party that would allow President Biden to ban TikTok for sharing user data with the Chinese government. 

Amid security discussions around TikTok’s connection to the CCP, the White House has already announced a full ban of TikTok on government-owned devices; the move has been copied by EU and Canadian officials as tensions between China and the West continue, linked to the Ukraine conflict. 

The Deterring America’s Technological Adversaries Act (or DATA Act) directs Biden to potentially ban TikTok nationwide, should the administration find the company has shared private user data with people associated with the Chinese government. If the data has been used to surveil or censor users, Biden would be able to impose additional sanctions against TikTok and parent-company Bytedance. 

However, despite concerns, the Democrats are against moving the bill forward, citing the impact it would have on businesses in ally countries. In addition to this, many are saying the bill threatens the First Amendment. By banning TikTok in its entirety, the government would be censoring platforms and stripping Americans of their right to freedom of speech. 

TikTok has responded to the bill, saying it would put “a ban on the export of American culture and values.” 

While Republicans still hope the bill will pass, it has to make it through a Democrat-controlled Senate. Given the Democrats’ reluctance to restrict TikTok in the US, the bill could still result in TikTok looking very different for US users. 

So, what does a potential TikTok ban in the US mean for brands? 

The Impact of a US TikTok ban on brands

First of all, if a TikTok ban did come into place, it would only be banned from Apple and Google stores. It wouldn’t be illegal for users to use the platform, but it would be harder to do so, and that effort would likely deter a lot of users from trying. 

TikTok has over 110 million users in the US, so brands would lose an engaging platform that targets a large chunk of a population. TikTok in the US is a particularly persuasive platform, with 49% of users having purchased an item from a brand they’ve seen on their For You Page. Content on TikTok includes everything from brand hashtags, organic reviews, and paid sponsorships—and obviously ad spots. The addictive algorithm shows users content it will be interested in to keep them on the platform—a lot of the time this includes branded content. This means brands have been able to spend less compared to other platforms. 

Without TikTok, there will be more competition on other social media platforms. This means brands will likely have to spend significantly more on sponsorships and paid media in order to achieve the same reach and engagement as they did on TikTok. It could also lead to brands spending more money on traditional advertising channels, like TV, magazines, and website advertisements—all of which are significantly more expensive than UGC. 

Brands would also need to rethink their influencer strategies. TikTok creators have incredibly high engagement rates, significantly higher than other platforms. Micro-creators on TikTok have an average engagement rate of 18%. With the banning of TikTok, these creators would be displaced from the platform and lose the audiences they spent time building and the trust they formed with their followers. 

TikTok has also just started testing TikTok Shop in the US. TikTok Shop has proved to be a big hit in the UK and some Asian markets. Banning TikTok would mean that countless brands miss out on the opportunity to profit from the social commerce format—not only that, but creators can earn from promoting the products through TikTok Shop, so they would be restricting potential revenue. 

What can brands learn from this?

Whether a TikTok ban does eventually come to the US, there’s a clear lesson to learn. Don’t rely too heavily on one platform. 

Of course, it makes sense that many brands have put significant spending and effort behind the platform—it’s where an incredible portion of consumers are spending their free time, not just in the US but across the globe. 

However, many brands will be quaking in their boots at the threat of a TikTok ban. TikTok has been exceptional for small businesses when growing a following and building brand awareness. The type of content that performs well on TikTok has created a platform that genuinely entertains as it markets.

TikTok’s Testimony to Save Itself

On 24th March 2023, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, appeared before the House Energy and Commerce Committee to defend the platform against allegations it spied on American journalists. 

His testimony touched on TikTok’s consumer privacy and data security policies, the platform’s mental health impact and security concerns about the platform’s parent company, ByteDance. The main focuses of the testimony included: addictiveness, misinformation, children’s safety, mental health, selling data, and data security. 

Project Texas is the proposal from TikTok that would move all US data to a third-party cloud that only a team of US residents would be able to access, to create more transparency and security. 

A complete TikTok ban is unlikely and would be incredibly complicated. But, the platform is likely to change or face restrictions in some states. So, brands should begin considering how they can support their TikTok efforts in alternative ways.

Our Influencer marketing agency and Social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to receive our industry insights, visit our Influencer Marketing & Social Media blogs here.

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