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5 Ideas to Start Building Your Influence Online in Only 30 Minutes Per Week

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In the age of online influencers, coins and dollars can easily be traded for attention and trust. So can spa hotel packages, event tickets, extravagant outfits, and vacations. It’s hard to name an item that you wouldn’t be able to purchase with influence currency. Of course, if you have enough of it. 

So what’s your account balance? How many people would pay attention to what you have to say? If you are starting as an entrepreneur, there’ll come a day you’d wish you started working for your influence currency sooner.

If you are already on an entrepreneurial path, here are a few low-investment high-payout ideas you can start practicing today:

1. Keep your accounts aligned

You likely have a few pieces of “online real estate” – a profile in one of the social networks, or maybe a few, maybe a website, definitely an email address. Note that for your business, you likely don’t need to be a part of every social media network. Each industry has 1 or 2 key channels where your target audience spends time.

While each social network carries its own style (#DollyPartonChallenge proved it once again), those accounts you keep to maintain must be aligned. Visitors need to see it’s the same person. If possible, avoid nicknames. If you use your first and second name, make sure usage is consistent across all platforms. Try to use recent pictures and stick to photos of you -not your pet.

The time it takes: 15 minutes. You just need to do it once.

2. Interact with people in your industry you don’t yet know

It’s about starting a conversation and about giving attention before you ask for attention. Follow a few hashtags related to your industry, subscribe to a few YouTube channels if you haven’t already. But when you are there, don’t just silently consume. Start interacting with those in your industry even if you don’t know them in person. Let them know when they’ve done a good job, ask questions. If you know something they haven’t mentioned, it’s a great place to share in a friendly manner. 

It’s pretty much like making friends, but online. You say something nice and funny, they say something nice back and before you know it, you are already hanging out. No service selling likes, comments or engagement boosts would sell you that – real connection. Every brand starts with early adopters, and the best way to earn them is through personal interaction.

The time it takes: 5-10 min a day.

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people.” – Dale Carnegie 

3. Start sharing about your entrepreneurial journey 

It may seem that everybody under the sun is on social media and now it’s too late to start building a brand. In fact, research by Nielsen Norman group shows that dynamic between different social platforms is quite similar: there are 90 passive consumers to 10 contributors, only one of which is a heavy contributor. 

I personally find this statistic quite inspiring. Most of the people you see on your social media feed daily represent just 1% of the network’s humongous database. Surely, there is a place for you too.

Another common objection has to do with the level of production complexity. Maybe you are not too comfortable in front of the camera? Maybe you don’t have pictures of yourself that look “good enough?” What objection are you placing in front of yourself? 

Gary Vee who teaches “how to create 64 content pieces in a day” urges creators to avoid complicating the process. In a nutshell, it means that if you are thinking “I’ll start when so and so happens” you are overcomplicating it. Think of the easiest format for you. You may record a quick story at the end of a workday, use time in public transport to put your business learnings in writing every once in a while, write a medium post or go live on one of the platforms.

Find your format and stick with it. Later, you may add beautiful visuals, well-edited storylines or even a video production team. Right now, you are doing it to let those early adopters (see above) stay up-to-date with you and your business. They don’t need those updates to be perfect. They just need the information to be available.

The time it takes: from 30 seconds to 10 minutes

4. Practice giving when you don’t expect to get anything in return

What are the brands, events and people in your life that you absolutely love? I love sharing about a local charity in Bali that I got introduced to on my last visit. I love hearing and sharing about the projects my friends are doing, and yes, I’ve also tagged a certain ice-cream shop way more than once on my social media.

Sure, influencers are paid to review things and places and you might not be there yet. It does not mean you should avoid doing that until someone starts offering money for your opinion. Love something? Talk about it and tag them. It might be that place where you buy doughnuts in the morning or a great podcast you enjoy listening to. They may reciprocate, and if it’s a big brand you may get a boost. 

One of my clients has an Instagram account which is about 100 times the size of mine. Every time my company delivers a great result for them, I share it on my Insta-story (see point 3). She never fails to share it back and apart from those extra views that come from her repost, I just get that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

However, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a mention in return. Sharing what you love helps your followers see you as a well-rounded, real person. Remember, people connect with real people, not polished images.

The time it takes: from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston S. Churchill

5. Make partnerships or join engagement groups 

Most social networks seem to be going through similar growth curves. At first, there is a lot of organic engagement, new people are jumping in every day, those who “get it” quickly reach a large number of followers (currently Tik Tok is going through this stage). As the network matures, it introduces changes which make the organic reach more difficult, and eventually inviting users to pay for a chance to be seen by more followers. Instagram’s 2016 algorithm update is an example of such change when the chronological feed was replaced by the feed that favors posts with the highest engagement.

If you are on one of the older platforms, like Facebook, Youtube or Instagram, you might want to look into engagement pods. Usually, those look like group chats, where every participant informs others about a new post she made. Rules of those chats suggest that you will engage with posts made by others, and they will support your posts.

You can google “engagement groups” or “engagement pods” or just partner up with a few friends and agree to support each other. This little trick signals an algorithm to show your post to more people. I would advise choosing smaller groups (15-20 people maximum), otherwise, it might take a while to give proper attention to every participant.

The time it takes: about 5 minutes, depending on the number of participants in the group.

How are you currently building your personal brand online? Share your tips and suggestions for other readers below!

My name is Natasha Zo. I’m a media relations specialist, artist, and salsa enthusiast. For me all these career paths of mine boil down to one core interest: I love to meet people, discover stories that are worth sharing and help those people to be heard. I’ve helped multiple authors and entrepreneurs to score that Amazon bestseller title and amplify their message through the power of media. Currently, I’m running a PR agency that helps wellness thought leaders to raise their expert status by building a media presence.

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How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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