Hi Creators,

Do you know about Lu do Magalu, Any Malu, Anna Cattish, Thalasy, Janky, and Noonouri?

No? Well, get with the program, honey. These virtual influencers have been around for a while now and have millions of followers. They’re kind of a big deal.

Chances are you are already following some virtual people and don’t even know it, maybe that LinkedIn connection with the poreless face or your Instagram pal who’s a little too good at dancing the robot.

Virtual influencers are computer-generated characters. They might be obviously computer-generated, like Lil Mayo or B., or so realistic you mistake them for real, like Lil Miquela or Shudu.

I haven’t done the exact maths, but pretty sure 95% of them are attractive women. Who would’ve thought?

These virtual girlies are raking it in too…or at least their makers are. Lil Miquela has over 2.7 million followers on Instagram and is making close to $11 million dollars/year.

Virtual influencers are becoming so mainstream that major brands are starting to take notice. Lil Miquela has been featured by major fashion brands like Calvin Klein and Prada.

Forbes reported that another virtual influencer, a “horror bunny” named Guggimon, “appeared in Fortnite as a skin, partnered with Gucci and Paris Hilton, and sold out multiple NFT drops.” If anyone knows what any part of that sentence means, you’re ahead of me.

If you’re a brand on a budget who wants to partner with a virtual influencer, you can hire China-based tech company Baidu for a “virtual people project,” priced at $2,800-$14,300 per year.

Or, if you want complete control over your virtual influencer, you can make your own, like Prada’s virtual influencer Candy or KFC’s hunky virtual version of the Colonel.

So, why does any of this matter? Because with advances in AI, it’s becoming increasingly accessible for individuals and brands to get into this game.

Here are some tutorials I found in case you're tempted:

• This Is How To Create A Virtual Influencer: Detailed Instruction

• Create Your Own AI Influencer & Monetize It | Step-by-Step Tutorial ✨ 

Baidu is predicting its virtual influencer business will increase by 50% in the next year as production costs decrease and awareness and demand for virtual influencers grow.

Unlike real people, virtual influencers don’t age, talk back, or hassle you for money. You can customize them any way you want and get into the influencer economy, no selfies required.

Whether you’re a control freak brand, a camera-shy wannabe celeb, or a tech dabbler looking for a new income stream, the virtual influencer life has its appeal.

It does make you wonder though, will virtual influencers become just as prevalent as real ones? And if so, how will this impact how we view ourselves and others?

What do we have to lose and gain in a world full of virtual people?

🎥 Video of the Week: I wrote a “Broem” and made a virtual bro recite it.

🛠️ Creator Tool of the Week: elai.io

Do you want to make your own virtual influencer? Check out elai.io. You can make a minute’s worth of footage for free. Try different virtual people, voices, backgrounds, and music.

Promise me if you make your own broem and post it on LinkedIn that you’ll tag me?

📰 Creator News

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🧠 Thought of the Week

Now that creators can duplicate themselves as AI, does that mean social will be taken over by AI creators interacting with other AI creators?

And, if so, would those AI buy the other AI creators' courses?

And, if they did, what would that transaction look like? Would they use cryptocurrency?

What's going on around here? Does anyone know?

Hope you all have a fab week. See you next time!

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