The Rise of Virtual Influencers: Creating Your Own AI Character

I still remember the first time I saw a virtual influencer. I was scrolling mindlessly through Instagram when I stumbled upon Mikayla—the perfectly crafted digital persona with 2.3 million followers and a purported annual income of over $10 million. The twist? Mikayla isn’t even real. She’s a CGI creation, a digital invention that has sparked both curiosity and intrigue.

As I dove deeper into this world of virtual influencers, I felt a sense of wonder mixed with a bit of unease. How could a character without a heartbeat earn such staggering sums? An agency behind her, BRD, was recently acquired for $125 million, a clear indication that there’s something powerful at play. These AI-generated personas appeal to people just like Mickey Mouse does; they know she’s fictional, yet they engage, relate, and even feel a connection.

It led me to a question: If a virtual influencer can be so successful, why can’t I create one?

The Age of AI and Character Creation

Thanks to advancements in technology, anyone can now create a virtual influencer with relative ease. No expensive software or technical know-how is required. I realized I had the tools in front of me—simple, user-friendly platforms that allow for the automation of this complex process. I decided to show others how they could do the same, because if I can craft my own character, so can you.

A Simple Overview of the Process

The traditional way of creating digital characters involves complex 3D modeling, often requiring software like Cinema 4D. But now, AI has opened up avenues that make character creation accessible to everyone. Picture this: all you need to do is provide an image of your character and select from various options like setting, outfit, and the number of posts you wish to schedule. From there, an AI system can generate and schedule your content automatically.

Here’s a quick blueprint of what you’ll need to do:

1. Create a Character: Use AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to help you generate an initial concept.
2. Generate Content: Utilize platforms such as N8N and key.ai to design, automate, and even publish the content you need.
3. Automate Posting: Set up a Google Sheet or similar platform to keep track of your posts and their statuses.

Now, let’s break down how you can achieve this, as well as some personal insights I’ve gathered along the way.

Step One: Building Your Character

Creating your virtual influencer can start simply. Here’s how I did it:

1. Image Generation: I used an AI model to generate an initial image of my character. I played around with parameters like their clothing, setting, and vibe.

2. Cultivating Reference: The next step involved getting more images for the character. I uploaded my initial image to key.ai to generate multiple character images at different angles.

3. Future Planning: Visualize how you want your character to look in various scenarios. What content formats will resonate with your target audience (images, stories, videos)?

The Magic of Automation

High-tech tricks aside, the real magic happens when you begin to automate your character’s presence. Through N8N, I was able to create a seamless workflow, pulling in images and prompts to generate relatable content at scale. It’s thrilling to see a collection of social media posts lined up, awaiting to engage an audience.

What I’d Do If I Started Today

Reflecting on my journey, if I were to start over, I would:

1. Think Long-Term: Consider what narrative my character would embody over time.
2. Embrace Feedback: Actively engage my audience from the start, keeping their feedback central to how my character evolves.
3. Explore Pricing Models: Learn about monetization avenues, from brand partnerships to affiliate marketing early on rather than later.

Ultimately, I’d treat this experience as a collaborative journey rather than a solo endeavor.

The Future is Bright

While diving into the world of virtual influencers, I stumbled upon powerful transformations—both in the industry and within myself. The barriers to entry have significantly lowered, and AI makes it all possible. I can automate processes that once took hours of tedious work.

Imagine sipping your morning coffee while your AI character updates followers on the latest trends or talks about self-care tips. It’s the kind of entrepreneurship that feels empowering without losing your essence.

The Human Element

But as creatives and entrepreneurs, let us not forget: behind this technological wave is our ingenuity, passion, and drive. Influence, whether digital or otherwise, succeeds only when it connects authentically with the audience.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

As I wrapped my head around creating a virtual influencer, keys to success revealed themselves, including trust, engagement, and creativity. Lessons emerged not just about technology but also about the human bridge it builds.

If you’re curious about building systems that save you from burnout and free up your time, I created something that might help. It’s a small online course called Automation by RoboNuggets, where I share the exact tools and workflows I wish I knew earlier. You can check it out here, only if it feels right for you.

The adventure into virtual influence has just begun, and I’m excited to see where it leads.