Before the Internet, influence was fairly cut and dry. Film and television stars, politicians, and upper crusters were all people we might have considered influential. A stay-at-home parent, on the other hand, was simply a normal (albeit vital) member of society. How could a parent’s story possibly influence others? Who would care about a cosmetics-obsessed teen, a crafty twenty-something, or a traveling hippie? Forget about it.
The Internet has changed our definition of influential, and ultimately, our culture. Long gone are the days when people imagined what it must be like to be a celebrity because Instagram influencers are celebrities to many people. What’s more, they often interact with their followers, sharing their own relatable situations and struggles.
Why Are Influencers Popular?
Instagram celebrities often garner popularity because of their down-to-earth stories, rather than their stories of opulence or scandal. Whatever your niche is, in whichever subculture you belong, there is most likely someone who has made a related blogging business for you.
Although this may set unrealistic expectations for you, Instagram has become a place where everyday people can truly build careers by documenting their stories. So, what can you take away from these influencers when sharing what you have to say? Today, we’ll discuss 21 Instagram influencers and the lessons you can learn from them.
1. @hudabeauty
Who:
Huda Kattan is a beauty blogger and makeup artist with a whopping 22.8 million followers. Kattan covers products, beauty tips, natural skin and hair recipes, and more. She even has her own line of cosmetics and beauty products available worldwide.
What you can learn:
In some ways, Kattan’s success seems unattainable. However, it was her lifelong obsession with cosmetics that led her to make her first video, a video that would be the first of many.
Now, only a few years later, she is recognized as one of the top beauty influencers in the world. Even with her finance degree, Kattan pursued her interests on the side—it was the pursuit of that passion that earned Kattan her success.
If you have a lifelong obsession like Kattan, use it to pursue your business.
2. @babyboybakery
Who:
Jacqui Saldana is the founder of Baby Boy Bakery, a blog about baking, life, grief, and family. Saldana initially began blogging when her son was an infant and continued after he passed away. She continues to share recipe tips, personal stories, and, recently, posts about her daughter.
What you can learn:
Despite tragic circumstances, Saldana managed to build a business on her blog’s initial purpose: family and cooking. Through her work, she supported several charities and became an advocate for worthy causes.
If you’re are passionate about a cause or if a cause has affected you, think of the ways you can incorporate those causes into your brand and, consequently, touch others’ lives.
3. @brightbazaar
Who:
Will Taylor is an interior design author and creativity expert. He specializes in capturing beautiful spaces and places, wherever he goes.
What you can learn:
When you visit Taylor’s Instagram, you’ll notice his photos don’t show the landscapes of Bali or the streets of Rome. In fact, many of his pictures feature unmade beds or comfortable living rooms. Taylor’s photos are beautiful, however, because he photographs subjects in an artful way—the way he sees them.
If, like Taylor, you see ordinary things as beautiful, think of ways to capture them in a unique and creative way.
4. @asiyami_gold
Who:
Asiyami Gold is an art director with a beautiful, earthy style. Her Instagram is a travel diary packed with culture and texture. As a visual storyteller, Gold finds beauty in everything and shares it with her followers.
What you can learn:
Gold is someone who has made living part of her business, creating a highly specific aesthetic with her Instagram. By using travel as a platform for her brand, Gold is able to experience the places that are meaningful to her.
If there are places that are meaningful to you, incorporate them into your social media.
5. @itsdougthepug
Who:
Doug the Pug is the world’s most beloved pug. This tiny guy is potentially the best dressed dog out there, garnering fame and 3 million followers for his classically droopy face and adorably ironic outfits.
What you can learn:
People adore dogs. In an age where tragedy is a Twitter scroll away, pets offer a nice reprieve from daily life. Doug’s young owner, Leslie Mosier, worked hard to make Doug famous, building a brand from scratch and updating Doug’s blog consistently.
If you have a pet or an animal you adore, use it as a mascot for your brand and a mood booster for your audiences.
6. @thepacman82
Who:
Phil Cohen is an art director turned Instagram fashion influencer. He photographs outfits and accessories to over 600,000 followers daily in a consistent and beautiful way.
What you can learn:
Although Cohen wanted to photograph his daily outfits, selfies weren’t his thing. With a personalized flat-lay photography style, Cohen has become a major player in menswear blogging. By perfecting a style and sharing it with others, Cohen’s Instagram has become iconic.
If selfies aren’t your thing, think of creative ways to capture your products. You can lay them on a flat surface like Cohen or you can fit them on your brand’s live animal mascot.
7. @sanias
Who:
Sania is a Muslim-American lifestyle blogger and social worker. Her Instagram is a compilation of motherhood, personal events, and fashion statements.
What you can learn:
Although the life of a social worker and mom isn’t typically glamorous, Sania managed to construct a social media profile that is both gorgeous and down to earth. Sania blogs about daily life, and her blog constantly finds beauty in simple things.
Think of ways to add a little glamor to your social media presence, whether you’re captured drinking coffee at starbucks, working in front of a computer, or taking a stroll through the city.
8. @studiodiy
Who:
Kelly Mindell is a creative lifestyle and DIY blogger. Her brand is all about fun, color, and the projects that can incorporate both. Her blog and Instagram share craft ideas, holiday projects, and more.
What you can learn:
Mindell is the definition of hustle, or as she calls it, working the system. She has worked hard since middle school to teach herself art, design, and fashion, even during the time she was recuperating from cancer. Eventually, she created a brand that was unique to her and pursued it with everything she had.
Think about your unique style. Then work the system to create that style.
9. @joelsartore
Who:
Joel Sartore is a National Geographic photographer who uses Instagram as a platform to educate his followers about various animals and wildlife. If you’re an animal lover, this is the Instagram for you.
What you can learn:
Sartore not only shares photographs, but he also uses his influence for altruistic reasons, seeking to educate others about endangered species. By showing the beauty of wildlife to his followers, Sartore is encouraging his audience to care and take action.
Do you have charities you care about? If so, use your brand to educate others about that charity.
10. @thefeedfeed
Who:
Julie Resnick runs The Feedfeed, a community where bakers, chefs, and everyone in-between can share and benefit from colorful recipes and foodie photos. This community especially benefits those who seek to eat local, something very important to The Feedfeed team.
What you can learn:
The founders of The Feedfeed noticed there wasn’t yet a platform for cooks who made and ate local, seasonal food. Seeing an opportunity to help people like themselves, they created TheFeedfeed, a crowdsourced company made for people who love food as much as they do.
If you wanted something that doesn’t exist, create it.
11. @whitneyleighmorris
Who:
Whitney Leigh Morris is a creative director who is redefining the dream home. Her house in Venice, CA, which she lovingly refers to as the The Tiny Canal Cottage, functions as a home, office, studio, and now, a business—oh, and it’s under 400 square feet.
What you can learn:
Morris has made a business of living efficiently. Her blog documents what it’s like to live, work, and raise a family in a tiny house. She shares tips that allowed her to organize and live small.
Think about how you can redefine ideas about home and family in your own brand.
12. @theonigiriart
Who:
Yuija Hu is a Milan-based sushi artist. After taking a hiatus from art school to work in his family’s sushi restaurant, Hu began making sushi art based on the people and imagery prevalent in pop culture.
What you can learn:
Although his studies were interrupted, Hu continued his creative pursuits by pairing food and art. Despite a sudden change in circumstances, Hu cultivated a following of his most recent art style.
Think of ways you can creatively work an unexpected situation to your advantage.
13. @emilywrecker
Who:
Emily W. Recker runs a mom and lifestyle blog about her twins, as well as what it’s like to be a foster mom. Her Instagram focuses on family, spirituality, and all the small details of her life.
What you can learn:
Wrecker’s Instagram is a simple story about taking life and loved ones a day at a time. She provides a relatable blog people can read and enjoy.
Think of aspects of your life that help you relate to others. Then use those same aspects to connect with your audience.
14. @masgrimes
Who:
David Grimes is a calligraphy artist based in Portland. His blog is a place for both calligraphers and lovers of lettering. He offers resources, tips, and commission opportunities for his readers and fans.
What you can learn:
Although calligraphy may seem like something reserved for history books or luxury purchases, Grimes brings classic art to social media and makes it tangible for his audience.
Use your skillsets and educate others about them on social media.
15. @atomicmari
Who:
Mari Takahashi is a content creator and gamer extraordinaire. Her YouTube Channel, Smosh Games, is a widely popular channel with content for numerous video game lovers. Her Instagram documents her travels, life, and nerdy adventures.
What you can learn:
Takahashi is a strong female voice in a male-dominated industry. Her brand is uniquely her, catered to her interests.
Think of ways your niche interests can supplement your band.
16. @highenergyparenting
Who:
Kevin Cosmo is a full-time family man and vegan, with an Instagram that illustrates what it’s like to be a health-advocate dad. If you love raw eating and family blogs, this blog is a lighthearted combination of both.
What you can learn:
Cosmo has an Instagram and YouTube channel focused on raising a vegan family. His videos answer questions about the family’s diet and lifestyle choices as they grow.
Think of ways your brand can appeal to families with specific interests and lifestyles.
17. @toyinojihodutola
Who:
Toyin Oijh Odutola is a Nigerian-born, New York-based artist and traveler. Her Instagram doubles as a “studio diary” where she records art and various places worldwide.
What you can learn:
Oijh Odutola’s Instagram is strikingly different from many others on this list. Although the images are carefully curated, there is a rawness in the photos and art she features. Oijh Odutola’s studio diary proves that although Instagram is often a marketing platform, there is certainly a place for candid images and thoughtful art.
Think of ways you can craft your studio diary. Then think of how you could use it as part of your social identity.
18. @graceandsalt
Who:
Justin and Keary are parents and founders of Grace & Salt, a lifestyle blog about family, spirituality, adoption, food, and living in an RV.
What you can learn:
Keary uses her platform to educate people about living with diabetes (something she and her daughter both have), eating healthy, and living RV style. Keary’s Instagram proves these topics are ones people want to read and learn about.
If you are passionate about something that directly affects you, such as health or beliefs, build a brand around it.
19. @jamescharles
Who:
James Charles is not your average beauty blogger. Not yet in his twenties, Charles already garnered 2.7 million followers and earned the position of CoverGirl’s first male ambassador.
What you can learn:
Charles uses his platform to redefine societal expectations. He encourages others to embrace their identities as he does. Charles proves that embracing differences can pay off—literally.
Think of how your identity differs from societal expectations. Then think of a way to develop your differences.
20. @michaelxufuhuang
Who:
Michael Xufu Huang is an art collector and museum founder. His Instagram is a rabbit hole of art and personality. For artists and curators, Huang’s blog offers an inside look at the ever evolving art scene.
What you can learn:
Although you may not be an art collector or the founder of a museum, people are interested in experiencing art, both in person and through a screen.
If creativity can be a bold move for your business, think of ways you can bring an artistic flair into your brand.
21. @adventurouskate
Who:
Kate McCulley is just a girl in the world, one who made traveling a full-time business. Her Instagram documents her travels and adventures from dozens of different countries and cities.
What you can learn:
McCulley isn’t just one of the top travel influencers on Instagram, but she also uses her blog to answer questions and educate others. She discusses various destinations, her unbelievable journey, and the steps to becoming a travel blogger.
Use your social media and blog to answer questions that people ask about your brand.
Whether you’re trying to run a large company, grow a small business, or create your first online presence, Instagram has numerous influencers you can look to for inspiration.
These people prove interests vary greatly—there’s not just one type of successful blogger. Consider who influences you and consider how you can be influential to others. Then get out there and try it for yourself. What have you got to lose?
Kaitlin Westbrook is a content writer for Vecteezy. Kaitlin covers business, creative content, professional writing, and more. When she’s not writing, she enjoys movies, baking, and her Pomeranian. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.