The Influencers I Actually Trust

Our recent module got me thinking about the idea of "influencers." Do I follow any? The short answer is yes, but I'm very selective. Reading the research on what makes an influencer effective made me realize that the people I follow all have a few things in common, and it’s not about their lifestyle or a curated feed.

The "influencers" I follow are mostly creators in the web design and branding world. These are people who are actively working in the industry and share their knowledge online. When I look at why I trust them, it lines up perfectly with the key factors mentioned in our reading on social media influencers. The most important factor for me is source credibility. This isn’t just a vague feeling and the article breaks it down into a few key parts.

First, and most importantly, is expertise. I follow these creators because they are true experts in their field. They teach a skill rather than just promoting a product. They show their work, explain their design process, and give practical advice. This demonstrated knowledge is what builds a foundation of trustworthiness. I believe their recommendations because their credibility is tied to their professional reputation, not just the number of followers they have.

The research also mentions attractiveness as part of credibility, but it notes this includes things like personality and content style, not just physical appearance. For me, the "attractiveness" of these design influencers is their clean aesthetic and their direct communication style. The content is also convenient as they package complex design theories into easy-to-understand tutorials on YouTube or simple carousels on Instagram, making it easy for me to learn.

This has definitely had a direct impact on my relationship with them and my own purchase behavior. Because I trust their expertise, their recommendations carry more weight than a traditional ad. If a design creator I follow recommends a specific software or a new design tool, I'm much more likely to investigate it. My loyalty to them isn't because I want to be like them, but because they provide genuine value that helps me improve my own skills.

So, yes, I follow influencers. But the ones who have successfully "influenced" me have done so by proving their credibility through real expertise. It proves the point from our reading that trust is the most important factor, and for me, that trust is built on knowledge, not just personality.