How to Become an Influencer from Scratch in 2026

Introduction: Becoming an Influencer Is No Longer About Fame

In 2026, becoming an influencer from scratch doesn’t look like it did a few years ago.

Brands aren’t chasing celebrities or viral faces anymore. They’re searching for:

• Authentic voices

• Niche experts

• Creators with real audience trust

This shift has opened the door for beginners, even with small followings, so enter influencer marketing in a serious, professional way.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to start influencing from zero

• What brands actually look for in influencers

• How influencer marketing works now

• How platforms like Influish make it easier to grow and get selected

Step 1: Understand What Influencers Really Do for Brands

Before you start posting, get clear on one thing:

An influencer is not just someone who posts content. An influencer is someone who influences purchase decisions.

From a brand’s perspective, influencers help with:

• Product awareness (people discovering the brand)

• Trust building (audience believing the brand)

• Social proof (seeing others use and like the product)

• Conversions (clicks, sign-ups, or sales)

That’s why brands value engagement, relevance, and credibility more than just follower numbers. They want creators whose audience actually listens and acts.

Step 2: Pick One Clear Niche from Day One

Most beginners make the mistake of posting about everything: travel, food, fashion, memes, quotes—whatever comes to mind.

But brands rarely work with “general” profiles. They look for creators who stand for something specific.

You should choose one clear niche and commit to it.

Examples:

• Skincare for sensitive skin

• Budget travel in India

• Fitness for working professionals

• Local food reviews in your city

• Tech gadgets for beginners

A defined niche helps brands quickly understand:

• Who your audience is

• Whether you match their ideal customer

• If you fit their campaign goals

If a brand sells beginner-friendly gadgets, a “tech for beginners” creator is far more attractive than a random lifestyle page.

Step 3: Create Content That Solves Real Problems

For brands and audiences, content is valuable only if it helps someone.

As a beginner, focus on content that:

• Teaches something (tips, tutorials, hacks)

• Shares relatable experiences (struggles, mistakes, progress)

• Offers honest opinions (reviews, comparisons)

• Shows simple demonstrations (how it works, before/after)

Your content doesn’t have to look perfect. It has to be:

• Consistent

• Clear

• Helpful or interesting

Raw, authentic content often performs better than overly polished videos because it feels real and trustworthy.

Step 4: Build Engagement Before Chasing Followers

From a brand’s point of view, this is often the comparison:

• 2,000 followers who comment, share, and save your posts

vs.

• 50,000 followers who ignore your content

They’ll pick the first option.

Engagement is proof that people care about what you say.

To build engagement:

• Reply to comments consistently

• Use story features like polls, sliders, and Q&As

• Ask questions in your captions

• Share opinions and invite discussion

• Treat your audience like a community, not a number

This approach builds real connection and that’s what brands pay for.

Step 5: Optimize Your Profile for Brand Discovery

Your Instagram profile is your first impression and your portfolio.

Most brands decide within a few seconds whether to move forward with you.

Your profile should clearly show:

• Your niche

• Your style of content (reviews, tips, vlogs, etc.)

• That you’re open to collaborations

Improve your profile by:

• Choosing a simple, relevant username

• Writing a clear bio (who you are + what you create + niche)

• Adding contact info or “DM/email for collabs”

• Keeping your grid consistent with your niche and aesthetic

Even with a small audience, a clean and clear profile makes you look serious and reliable.

Step 6: Understand How Influencer Marketing Works Today

Influencer marketing in 2026 is more organized and data-driven than ever.

Serious brands don’t just DM random creators anymore. Instead, they use:

• Campaign dashboards

• Influencer databases with verified metrics

• Filters based on niche, location, and engagement

This is where Influish comes in.

Rather than manually searching Instagram, brands log in to Influish, set their requirements, and find influencers who match their needs quickly and safely.

Step 7: Use Influish to Grow as a Beginner Influencer

Influish is built to support influencers at every stage especially those just starting out.

Instead of sending dozens of cold DMs and waiting for replies, Influish lets you:

• Create a verified influencer profile

• View active paid and barter campaigns

• Apply directly to campaigns that fit your niche

• Get selected or rejected based on real data, not guesswork

For beginners, this solves major problems:

• You don’t have to chase brands blindly

• You reduce the risk of fake offers and scams

• You get clarity on payments, timelines, and deliverables

Brands trust Influish because profiles are verified through official Instagram APIs, which keeps follower counts and engagement metrics transparent and reliable.

Step 8: Get Selected by Brands Even with Low Followers

Many new creators think, “I’ll only get brand deals once I hit 10k+ followers.”

That’s outdated thinking.

Brands today actively look for:

• Micro-influencers (1k–100k followers)

• Regional creators (specific cities, languages, or states)

• Highly niche creators (e.g., PC builds for students, vegan desserts, etc.)

• Storytellers who can explain and demonstrate products well

Smaller creators often have:

• Stronger relationships with their audience

• Higher engagement rates

• Better performance for specific, targeted campaigns

If your profile clearly communicates your niche and your audience interacts with you, you still stand a good chance of getting selected, even with fewer followers.

Step 9: Deliver Professionally and Build Long-Term Trust

Your first few collaborations are very important. They shape how brands see you.

Brands expect:

• Content delivered on or before the deadline

• Posts that follow the brief while still feeling natural

• Honest but respectful messaging

• Clear and timely communication

When you deliver well:

• Brands are more likely to work with you again

• You increase your chances of long term partnerships

• You build a reputation as a reliable creator

Real influencer careers are built on relationships and repeat work, not a single viral video.

Why Brands Prefer Structured Platforms Over DMs

From the brand side, handling influencer collaborations purely via DMs is risky and time consuming.

They prefer platforms where:

• Influencers are verified and real

• Metrics are accurate and up to date

• Payments are secure and trackable

• Campaigns, deliverables, and timelines are clearly managed

Influish uses an escrow-based payment system, which means:

• Brands deposit payment into the platform

• Influencers complete the agreed deliverables

• Payment is released once everything is approved

This helps prevent:

• Late or missing payments

• Miscommunication about expectations

• Confusion over what was agreed

It makes influencer marketing safer and smoother for both sides.

FAQs: How to Become an Influencer from Scratch

1. Can I become an influencer with zero followers? Yes. Every creator starts at zero. Focus on your niche, content quality, and engagement. As you grow, platforms like Influish can help you get discovered.

2. How long does it take to get brand collaborations? It varies. If you post consistently, stay focused on your niche, and engage with your audience, you can get your first collaboration within a few months.

3. Do brands care more about followers or engagement? Engagement and relevance matter more. A smaller creator with strong engagement is often more valuable than a big page with passive followers.

4. Is Influish safe for beginners? Yes. Influish uses verified Instagram data and escrow-based payments to protect both influencers and brands, reducing the risk of scams and payment problems.

5. Can I earn as a small influencer in India? Yes. Many Indian brands actively work with micro and nano influencers. You can start with barter collaborations, then move into paid deals as your profile and results improve.