The role of a social media influencer used to sound like a made up job. How could anyone other than the likes of Kylie Jenner or Lewis Hamilton make money from it? 

Well, the realm of influencer marketing is a multi-billion-dollar industry used by millions across the world as their main source of income. 

You don’t need to be ultra-famous to make a good wage from social media influencing as the average UK wage for someone with more than 42,575 followers is £29,009.  

What is a social media influencer?

A social media influencer is someone who has created an online identity that they use to market products or businesses for money. 

Much like an entrepreneur, social media influencers use their platforms to find and exploit a niche. 

With more people than ever working from home, perhaps it’s time to take a page out of these SE London-based influencers books and try your hand at a bit of self-branding.

Kate Sandhu

@thehouseonhollydale

16k followers

Northerner Kate Sandhu is originally from Cheshire but now lives in a Victorian terrace in SE London with her husband and son. 

She shares home renovation tips, advice and inspiration and is currently nominated in the Amara Interior Blog Awards. 

Since having her son she has started to share IVF and parenting tips as well as how to build an Instagram following. 

She said: "My favourite part about this whole just is the community I've become a part of, everyone is so supportive and it's great to be able to give back.

"I'm hoping in the future I can retrain and become an interior designer."

Alex George

@dralexgeorge

1.5m followers

Lewisham’s finest, Dr Alex George has amassed more than 1,500,000 since appearing on Love Island in 2018.

Since then, he has returned to his job as an accident and emergency doctor at University Hospital in Lewisham and also has a gig as the TV doctor for Good Morning Britain.

Over lockdown Dr George helped to educate the public about life on the frontline of the NHS, creating explainer videos and posting photos with colleagues to keep the nation's spirits high. 

Skye O’Neil

@skyeoneil

139k followers

The southeast London-based mum of two, Skye O’Neil, started her social media journey at the start of 2016. 

With a passion for architecture, travel and photography her instagram is sure to spark a yearning and wanderlust from within. 

Previously known as @georgianlondon, she has amassed over 139,000 followers on her main Instagram account.

Recently having purchased a seaside home in Kent, Ms O’Neil has created an additional page called @coastaljournal to fill your feed with gorgeous whimsical beach front photos. 

Ben Harrison

@benharrisonyoga

15.4k followers

Ben Harrison is a model and Yoga Master Trainer to the British Armed Forces.

His background as an olympic freestyle wrestler, amateur fighter and ultra marathon runner may not be the most conventional, however it gives him a unique approach to the teaching of yoga. 

As a personal trainer Mr Harrison specialises in hand balancing, mobility and isometrics. Ben has coached TeamGB athletes, the professional rugby team London Scottish and many more. 

Based in Greenwich this yogi has worked with brands such as Broga, Gymbox, Bose, Accenture and StubHub. 

Have we missed your favourite social media influencer? Let us know in the comments.