We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kai Amos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kai below.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Kai Amos. I’m a 26-year-old Black influencer, born and raised in Idaho but currently living (happily) in Brooklyn, New York. I post content that focuses primarily on minority empowerment and fashion. Over the last 2 years, I’ve built a following on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
After spending four and a half years climbing the corporate ladder to a senior advertising position at Amazon, I recently left to join a leadership role at a marketing startup and pursue my influencer career more seriously.
I am passionate about promoting and uplifting the voices of marginalized communities. I got into influencing because I saw a lack of representation and wanted to use my platform to create change.
I create a variety of content, including motivational posts, fashion inspo, and advice about success that I’ve learned from my life journey. I also collaborate with fashion and lifestyle brands to bring awareness to their products and services.
What sets me apart from other influencers is my commitment to authenticity and genuine connection with my audience. I aim to not only spread awareness, but also to inspire and empower individuals to take action towards building their dream lives.
I am most proud of the impact I have had on my followers and the larger community. From the messages I receive from individuals who have been inspired to take action, to the real-life relationships that I have cultivated with minority women who are working toward their goals, I am constantly reminded of the power of using my platform to inspire and empower others.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that success only comes from following traditional career paths. Growing up, I thought that success meant going to college, getting a 9-5 job, and working my way up the corporate ladder.
However, as I started to develop my social media presence and build my brand, I realized that success could come from unconventional paths. I started to see the potential for creating impact and earning a living through social media influencing, something I never thought was possible. This realization allowed me to break free from the limited mindset and pursue my passion for empowering minority communities.
This lesson was particularly significant because it allowed me to recognize that success is subjective and can come from many different sources. The key is to find what makes you happy and fulfilled, and then pursue it with determination and hard work.
I am grateful for this lesson, as it has allowed me to create a successful career that aligns with my values and allows me to make a positive impact on the world. I hope to inspire others to break free from limiting beliefs and pursue their passions, regardless of whether it follows traditional career paths or not.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Building an audience on social media is not an easy task, but it is a rewarding one.
When I first started my social media journey, I had a clear mission and vision – to empower and inspire minority women to achieve their dreams. I knew that I had something valuable to share, and I was determined to reach as many people as possible. I started by researching the social media platforms that would best suit my niche, and I chose to focus on platforms where I could reach a large and engaged audience. This was Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
My next step was to develop a consistent and authentic brand voice. I made sure that my posts reflected my values and mission, and I focused on creating high-quality and engaging content that resonated with my audience. I also actively engaged with my followers, responding to their comments and questions, and building relationships with them. It was in that 1:1 engagement with my followers that I gathered valuable information about what they cared about and how I could cater my content to their interests. It’s important not to make too many assumptions about what your audience wants to see. Instead, go right to the source and constantly make changes/optimizations based on follower feedback.
All throughout my journey, I also took the time to invest in my personal growth and education. I read books and attended workshops on social media marketing and branding, and I consistently updated my skills to stay ahead of the curve. Many of the little tools and tricks that have helped me find incremental audience growth have come from connecting with other influencers and seeking out education from those who have already established their audience.
Finally, I was patient and persistent in my efforts. Building a large and engaged audience takes time, and it requires consistent and deliberate effort. It can get discouraging at times, especially when all the work you put in to create content goes unseen. But with patience and perseverance, I was able to grow my following and establish myself as a successful social media influencer in the minority empowerment niche.
My advice for those just starting to build their social media presence is to focus on the following:
Define your “Why”
Choose the right platforms for your niche
Develop a consistent and authentic brand voice
Create high-quality and engaging content that is authentic to who you are
Engage with your followers and build relationships
Invest in your personal growth and education
Be patient and persistent – and go back to your why
Building a successful social media presence takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. Remember to stay true to your mission and vision, and to always put in the effort to grow and improve.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: itskaidenise
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itskaidenise/videos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kaiandgarret
Image Credits
Karen Treviño