Recently, the influencer profession has gained particular popularity. In this article, we will distinguish the functions of models and influencers.
An influencer is a person who has the ability to influence the opinion, behaviour or decisions of theur audience through social media. Typically, successful influencers build a large and engaged base of followers on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and others, where they share content related to topics such as lifestyle, fashion, cosmetics, travel, fitness and more. They often work with brands, promoting products or services in a way that seems natural to their followers. In return, they receive payment from the brands and platforms they work with. Their pay is determined by various, strictly individual and often floating factors.
On the other hand, a model is a professional who participates in photos or videos for advertising and presenting clothes, accessories or other products. Their main role is to show the product through their behaviour, appearance, and posing. Models usually work with agencies and participate in photo shoots, fashion shows and advertisements. In the fashion industry, brands work with fashion agencies, through which they have access to a variety of diverse models. Brands choose agencies on the basis of the latter’s prestige and good reputation.
The difference between an influencer and a model is in their approach and role in the industry they work in. The model works in the advertising industry, while the influencer works mainly in social media and rarely goes beyond it. Also, there are no requirements for the influencer regarding physical characteristics. The model is the "face" of the product and does not communicate directly with customers or the audience. However, the model is required to have a certain appearance and professional skills for photographing the products. On the other hand, the influencer builds trust and a relationship with their followers. Influencers often express a personal opinion and sell not only a vision, but also a lifestyle.
Today, the boundaries between the two roles are blurred - many models become influencers, and vice versa, since social media allows both professions to develop simultaneously. However, it should be noted that the influencer is a self-employed person and in this sense negotiates prices and terms of work, often without legal knowledge. This is a reason for many influencers to receive unfair wages. The model working with an agency relies on it to negotiate the terms of work and their rights to be protected by the legal team of the agency.
If you want to work with an agency, apply here: https://aliamodels.com/en/become-a-model
Author - Teodora Maude
