Posted: 2022-03-26 18:00:00

She also said aspiring influencers need to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to followers and ensure they are building community, engagement and interaction, rather than just chasing numbers.

Gold Coast actress and model Ellie Gonsalves, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, kick-started her following on social media after receiving an unexpected message from a brand scouting an ‘Aussie model’.

Actress and model Ellie Gonsalves has found her niche as an influencer.

Actress and model Ellie Gonsalves has found her niche as an influencer.Credit:Paul Harris

“The most memorable moment I had [on social media] was when an email came through, (which I thought was a joke at the time) from Yellowtail Wines requesting me to star in their Superbowl commercial,” Gonsalves said.

“A few weeks later I was filming on a beach in Barcelona and the ad went on to air in front of 250+ million people. I had previously done a lot of modelling and acting, but that generally came from making contacts and approaching brands, however, the Superbowl commercial is when I realised the power of the platform.”

Suzan Mutesi modelling the Iris Apfel x H&M collection in March 2022.

Suzan Mutesi modelling the Iris Apfel x H&M collection in March 2022.Credit:Janie Barrett

Off the back of her online presence Gonsalves, 31, has worked and connected with brands and individuals that have attributed to her success today including film appearances and last year as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother [Australia].

“Some of the most memorable and exciting opportunities that have come from being on social media are the people that I’ve had the pleasure of connecting and working with,” she said.

“Ellie [Gonsalves] is a good example of building a brand off the back of a successful modelling career. Ellie is an early adopter of tech and was one of the original influencers and has always been a pioneer in the tech space, which is evident in the launch of her new NFT, Crypto girl,” says talent agent and digital strategist Camille Thioulouse of The Société.

“Opportunities can then come your way off the back of a large following and that can then be monetised.

“Being an influencer is perceived as being a glamorous career as there can be some amazing perks. However, what the audience on social media doesn’t see are the long days, demanding clients and the continual need to innovate in order to stay relevant and keep your engagement with your audience,” she said.

When Ugandan-born Australian, Suzan Mutesi was awarded African designer of the year in 2012, still in the early days of Instagram, her social media following began getting noticed and she now has 930,000 Instagram followers.

Byron Baes Lauren Johansen-Bell, Jade Kevin Foster and Jessica Johansen-Bell.

Byron Baes Lauren Johansen-Bell, Jade Kevin Foster and Jessica Johansen-Bell.Credit:Paul A. Broben/Netflix

“I was styling celebrities, and selling my designs internationally then I transitioned into modelling myself and built a strong following from there,” the 35-year-old said.

Working with designer Camilla, Ralph Lauren and Benefit makeup Mutesi says it’s important to be your authentic self when working with brands and relating to her followers, a sentiment that Thiolouse insists is essential for a successful influencer.

“Being authentic is key - people can see straight through it if you don’t have integrity,” Thiolouse said.

As for the future of influencers, experts predict a growth in the space in the next five to 10 years and that they will likely be featured on TV even more.

“We’ll see some more content on influencers pop about. Perhaps the next one will be around the rise of Influencer training schools,” Truda says.

Mutesi hopes her online platform could springboard her to the silver screen much like Instagram alumni Jayde Kevin Foster who boasts 1.2 million followers and billed himself as ‘Australia’s biggest male influencer’ and is currently starring in influencer reality docu-series Byron Baes.

“I would love to have the opportunity to showcase the work I do as an influencer whether it be a Byron Bae [style show] or other. I would love to showcase my authentic self, show people it’s not all glamour shooting products and attending events,” she said.

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