Virtual Session: How and why to be an Influencer

Influence is more than likes and followers.

What does it really mean to be an influencer? In this virtual session, four local influencers will pull back the curtain on the effort, strategy, and intention behind building a platform. We’ll talk about the realities of content creation, personal branding, and how influence extends far beyond social media. Attendees will also learn how to use their voice to make a positive impact, both online and in everyday life. This session is open to all current students and alumni of our Student Service Program and Student Service Clubs.

Here are some questions you can expect to be answered:

1. Tell us a little bit about you and your platform.
2. What inspired you to start sharing on social media?
3. Looking back at your early content, what’s something that’s changed the most? What’s something that’s stayed the same?
4. What does “social responsibility” look like for influencers in today’s world?
5. Have you ever had to turn down a brand or opportunity because it didn’t align with your values? If so, what was that like?
6. What advice do you have for creators who want to use their platforms for good but don’t know where to start?
7. How do you balance being real with protecting your personal boundaries and privacy?
8. What’s one misconception people have about being an influencer, especially one trying to make a difference?
9. What’s been your biggest mistake or learning moment in your influencer journey?
10. How do you handle burnout, comparison, or imposter syndrome in such a public space?
11. If you could be known for one thing beyond your follower count, what would it be?
12. Ten years from now, what do you hope your impact (online and offline) will have been?

How To Join

Email Director of Community Programs Krystle Pitts at [email protected] and she will add you to the calendar invite with the virtual login details.

Meet Our Local Influencers

On the surface, beach clean-ups aren’t that charming. But dig a little deeper and beneath the surface, you might find more than just trash, you might find a little inspiration, thanks to Caulin Donaldson. @TrashCaulin is a TikTok creator and eco activist known for his daily trash cleanups. He gained a following of over 2.2M followers by blending activism, education, and entertainment.

Bonnie Roney is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor on a mission to support women as they rebel against diet culture, become intuitive eaters, and transform their relationship with food. Through her private practice and online community, Bonnie is dispelling diet myths and societal “norms” to help women free themselves from guilt and shame surrounding food. When she’s not tackling problematic diet beliefs, she enjoys time with her kids, date nights with her husband, and relaxing at the beach. You can follow Bonnie on Instagram (316k followers), gain knowledge and support via her podcast, or get in touch on her website.

Marissa Tanèe is a former teacher, an Impact Award-winning author, a Webby Award-winning digital creator, and social media strategist. She is the visionary founder of Targetwhileblack and Retailwhileblack, two influential platforms that amplified the voices and experiences of consumers and CPG brands in the retail industry. As a result, her pages (@marissatanee – 226k on TikTok) generated well over a million dollars in annual revenue for Fortune 500 companies. She now helps CPG brands develop their brand voice and has evolved her pages into a successful lifestyle brand highlighting beauty, family, home, and travel.