Let's turn now to our series of special reports called -- China New Jobs -- where we take a closer look at some of the new careers emerging in a rapidly changing economy. Today, it's all about making it as an internet celebrity.

Among many names, they're known as 'social media influencers.' They create and stream online content. The most popular ones are treated as celebrities. Brands, domestic and international, often collaborate with these influencers to promote their own products. So, what's giving rise to online stardom in China? CGTN's Yin Yue explains.

'I have too many stories to tell.' This is why BaiMeimei thinks her job as an independent cartoonist is the best fit. After 4 years since she started, she's gained about 700,000 followers. In her comic universe, forever in a little black dress, she shares her life. Her most popular series is called "My ex-boyfriends," which is semi-fictional yet purportedly based on her actual past relationships. Her stories are often flooded with comments from people who have gone through similar emotions.

BAI MEIMEI INDIVIDUAL CARTOON ARTIST "When something needs to be said, I can be the one to say it. When people agree with me, I feel like we are holding hands through screens. I also feel comforted, knowing that I'm not alone, that what I went through was actually a phenomenon. I didn't know about this before."

This then became her brand. In 2015, she started advertising for beauty products and hotel bookings. Despite the income varying from month to month, she manages to make hundreds of thousands of yuan in annual revenue.

YIN YUE REPORTER "Compared with magazines and TV channels for women, what do you think your edge is?"

BAI MEIMEI INDIVIDUAL CARTOON ARTIST "I'm more direct to my fans. When I say something, it feels like it's coming from their neighbor."

In 2018, the total number of influencers in China like Bai Meimei with over 100,000 followers grew by 51%. Those who've reached into the millions grew by 23%. In total, the whole industry attracted over 588 million followers by last April.

The general increase of both influencers and followers fuels the market. Live-streaming, for example, is expected to be a business worthy over 100 billion yuan by 2020.

For China's Trend Group, one of the dominating companies in China's fashion industry, the game has totally changed. Now it's social media that sells.

YIN YUE REPORTER "The company has been in the market for 25 years now, which is long enough for any company to stay relevant. Why is it so important to work with influencers now?"

FAN BAILE, DIGITAL VICE PRESIDENT TRENDS GROUP "During the past 25 years we've gained success, and the key point to that is to keep engaging. Now we are overwhelmed by influencers, we won't shrink from that, we welcome it."

Besides the existing business, the company now takes the role of a Multi-Channel Network, or MCN, a business that helps brands and influencers connect. The company is not alone in the game. Thousands of MCNs are already in business. Besides simply matching the two parties, some MCNs also nurture influencers to take market precedence.

As the pivot behind the process, MCNs centralize individual choices and form a digital market for exchanging values and influences. The value of this market is expected to reach 11.5 billion yuan by 2020 in China. But the market is still young, and many of the current competitors are still fighting for territory.

FAN BAILE, DIGITAL VICE PRESIDENT TRENDS GROUP "In the future, the efficiency of MCN's needs to be enhanced. Besides matching both sides, MCNs can also introduce new values. The production will also be organized more efficiently, and form a really positive cycle among the three parties."

Business including social media takes up 45% of China's Trend Group's total revenue, while the traditional printing business offers 55%. Now with further digital strategies, the company hopes to reverse this ratio in the near future. The business of influence is now influencing business.

YY, CGTN, BEIJING.