Feifei Hi Neil, you look stressed?
Neil Oh, not really. Just writing a script for The English We Speak. I’m a bit stuck.
** Feifei** What’s the phrase?
Neil Social media influencer.
** Feifei** Well, that’s easy.
Neil Maybe for someone young and trendy like you! Go on then, tell me.
** Feifei** Let me talk you through it step-by-step. Well, you know social media?
Neil Of course! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…
** Feifei** A social media influencer is someone who has a lot of followers online – and who is an expert or authority in a particular subject – like photography or cookery or make-up.
Neil OK.
Feifei What that person says, or does, or buys, or wears… can influence the decisions of their followers! Which is why we call them ‘social media influencers’. Or simply, ‘influencers’.
Neil OK, I have a few followers. So if I start, say, growing a long moustache, and all my friends copy me – would you say I was a social media influencer?
** Feifei** Err… I suppose so! And then, what might happen is the marketing department of a company selling moustache products gets in touch – and pays you to start using their… moustache oil?
Neil OK. I like the sound of this. Grow a moustache and get paid. Let’s listen to some examples.
Examples Our company was finding it hard to reach new customers aged 16 to 25. Then we hired a few social media influencers and sales just rocketed.
Kylie Jenner is one of America’s biggest social media influencers. Companies pay her up to a million dollars for a single post!
There’s a lot of debate about whether or not influencers should be open about who is paying them to promote products.
Feifei You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. Our expression is ‘social media influencer’. So, Neil, how’s the script going?
Neil I’m not writing it any more, Feifei. I’m focussing full time on my new business.
Feifei Ah, I see you’ve grown a moustache. Are you going to post a picture so all your twenty followers can see it and be influenced by your amazing style?
Neil Don’t worry, I’ve realised I don’t have enough followers, or authority, to influence anyone, Feifei. But I have discovered there’s a gap in the market for organic moustache oil!
Feifei Oh, well done! Neil’s Marvellous Moustache Oil…
Neil Nice. Now, I just need to find an influencer to help me with marketing. A hairy influencer.
Feifei Good luck, Neil!
Neil Bye.
Feifei Bye.