Influencer Session with Rahma

Socially Powerful interviewed Rahma Ali to explore her path from biology student to a full time lifestyle and travel influencer. Rahma began content creation after vlogging a girls’ trip to Malta which unlocked a passion for editing and storytelling. She uses YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, and her content focuses on travel vlogs and daily life moments to connect with audiences through relatable and unscripted experiences. She notes the rise of micro-influencers, the shift toward short-form video, and expects new social platforms to reshape the industry. Rahma balances her online presence by staying true to herself, drawing inspiration from fitness creators while planning to expand her travel-focused content and uses tools like the Canon G7X and iMovie.

Gabrielle GAB @yourstylistgab

We spoke to lifestyle, travel and beauty influencer Rahma (@____rahma on Instagram, and @rahmaxali on TikTok), to discuss making a hobby a career, changes in the influencer marketing space, and balancing online and offline.

Check out the full blog below!

Tell us about your background and how you started to build your following. 

My background is actually in Biology, I never considered myself to be creative whatsoever. I went on a girl’s trip to Malta in my last year of uni, and vlogged to capture the moment for myself and during the editing process, I had a sudden urge to give YouTube a try. Editing really allowed me to express a creative side I never knew I had and for a long time creating content was just a hobby.

When vlogging, do you tend to plan your days around what you want your next vlog to be about, or plan your vlogs around whatever you are doing that day? 

When vlogging no two days are the same. If I know I’m doing something exciting I plan my days around the vlog, however I’m quite spontaneous and like to vlog what I’m up to day to day.

@rahmasvisualdiary

Wedding glam 🧕🏾🫶🏾✨@Morphe 2 @Lancôme @Charlotte Tilbury @e.l.f. Cosmetics @elfcosmetics @maccosmetics @Sephora UK @MorpheOfficial @Rose Inc @NARS Cosmetics @BourjoisParis @COSRX Official @Supergoop #somalitiktok #hijabitiktok #hijabi #somali #muslimtiktok #dirac

♬ original sound – YT: rahmasvisualdiary

Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which is your favourite? 

I enjoy each platform for its unique reasons. YouTube will always have a place in my heart as it’s where my journey as a creator began. TikTok is fast-paced and the algorithm always introduces me to new things, whilst Instagram is quite aesthetic and allows you to keep up with what your friends and family are up to on Stories.

What type of content do you create, and which type works best for your audience? 

I create a lot of vlogs. I enjoy travelling and YouTube allows me to share my experiences and connect with new people.

How would you define “influencer marketing”? 

Influencer marketing is a form of social media marketing. Creators all have different interests so they are placed between a brand/product and their audience. Usually, a creator will align with what they are sharing with their audience which is a great way to share beneficial products and services. I have often been more inclined to try products recommended by influencers if I enjoy their other content.

@rahmasvisualdiary

Date/Timir Cake 🫶🏾✨ #ramdanseries #ramdanbaking #bakingrecipe #datecake #timircake #muslimtiktok #somalitiktok #ramdanmubarak

♬ original sound – Isra decoration and events

Have you worked with brands before? How do you decide which brands to work with? 

I have worked with quite a few brands, and if I enjoy the product/service that a brand is selling I decide to work with them. However, if I have no interest I would rather wait for offers that align with me and my audience.

How do you think influencer marketing will change over the next 12 months? 

Of course, influencer marketing will drastically change in the next 12 months. The space is always changing with new trends, platforms and software features, such as short-form videos becoming more prevalent in our consumption. I’m sure a new social media platform will come along and draw all of our attention soon.

How has influencer marketing changed since you began working within social media?

When I first started creating content, TikTok wasn’t around. There has also been a huge shift in brands working with micro-influencers. I believe everyone has influence and sometimes you trust what your friends recommend without needing a huge platform. Also, social norms are changing, you don’t have to look a certain way or come from a specific background, anyone can create content.

Do you use any software to help create and edit your content? 

I use my phone a large amount of the time, it’s always in my hands and the cameras are becoming better by the day! For vlogs I use my Canon G7X Mark 2; I’ve actually been using the same camera for 3 years and it hasn’t let me down and I use iMovie to edit. I learnt how to edit from scratch with my first vlog and learn new techniques all the time through YouTube.

How do you balance your online and offline lives? 

The easiest way to balance your life on and offline is to be yourself, you won’t feel the pressure of having to present yourself in a certain way, and you don’t always have to be done-up or funny, be genuine and you’ll attract an audience that appreciates you for you.

Which influencers inspire you? 

At the moment I’m inspired by fitness creators, it’s an aspect of my life I’m working on so I take inspiration from workouts, recipes and exercise classes such as Pilates. I gave Pilates a try last week despite being fairly unathletic and it was such a good decision, sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to get new experiences.

Where would you like to take your career as an influencer? 

It’s less about where I’d like to take my career and more about where I’d like my career to take me. I enjoy going with the flow but I’d love to spend more time travelling in 2023. Our influencer marketing agency and social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China. If you want to find industry insights, visit our influencer marketing and social media blogs. For our previous Influencer Session, click here!

@ Socially Powerful