When you think of advertising, what comes to your mind? A commercial? Magazines?
Times have changed and so has effective advertising. Magazines and newspapers aren’t as popular as they once were.
With new times, new trends come, and one its Influencer Marketing.
Influencer marketing isn’t a new concept, it’s been around for years but recently it’s become a hot topic for marketers, companies are devoting more time to influencer marketing than before.
Normally consumers don’t like to be advertised, no one likes being sold but now with Influencer Marketing, we have a traditional advertising alternative.
Influencer Marketing is something that every business needs to be doing even the giants like McDonald’s, Samsung and Nike do Influencer Marketing.
But what is really Influencer Marketing? How does it work? What are the benefits of Influencer Marketing?
Well, you are about to find out!
1. What is Influencer Marketing?
Well, Influencer marketing is a type of marketing that focuses on using key leaders which are called influencers to drive your brand’s message to the larger market. Rather than marketing directly to a large group of consumers, you have access to influencers with 10k or more followers, we work with these influencers and they will get out the word for you.
2. How does it work?
Very simple, your business will have access to people of influence to help with online marketing. Influencer Marketing aims to identify the main people who act as influencers in your niche so we can approach them to work with us to promote your brand.
3. What are the benefits of Influencer Marketing?
- Authenticity
Authenticity has become difficult to find in this advanced world full of technology where everything is possible it’s why people don’t easily believe in commercials anymore. And this is why Influencer marketing has become so effective. Successful social influencers spend considerable time in winning the trust of their followers and this is definitely not achieved overnight. Influencers create an engaging story that attracts their followers.
When followers are genuinely engaged, they are part of a long-lasting relationship with their influencers. When such a thing happens, it instills loyalty and trust in their minds. They truly believe in the person they are following, their opinions and recommendations.
- Cost-Effective
Doesn’t exist any specific price model when doing Influencer Marketing, some influencers will collaborate for free because it helps them build their brand although others will charge a flat-rate or a performance-based pricing. Exist different pricing options, which is good because allows you to choose the one that you feel that you are more comfortable with and also the one that you think will work best for you and your brand as well.
- Brand Image
One of the benefits of social media is that it helps to drive massive traffic to your website, a connection with your customers and potential customers are created here and makes it stronger and creates brand awareness which gives your business more credibility
Now with Influencer Marketing that relationships between your business and your customers can become even stronger because by doing influencer marketing it boosts your brand which will increase your social media following, more people will know about your services or/and products and it will drive traffic to your website.
Successful influencers are real leaders, so when they promote your service or/and product people listen to them and they engage with their content.
- Connects With Audiences Where They Spend The Most Time
People spend a lot of time on social media nowadays, in fact, that amount of time continues to increase, it’s why when influencers mention or feature a brand on social media platforms, they allow the company to connect with audiences on the sites where they spend the most time, which is a huge opportunity for business this way you can reach more people and your brand will be known.
- Does Not Appear Pushy
One of many reasons why influencer marketing is more effective in influencing purchases is because it isn’t pushy, the followers of an influencer have willingly chosen to receive content from them so when you send your message to them via an influencer, it does not come across as pushy.
- Suitable for Businesses Regardless of Size or Industry
One of the qualities of influencer marketing is that it fits any business regardless of its size or industry. As long as there is someone influential in your industry.
Although, it does take some planning to identify the influencers who are most suited to your needs. The most of the success of your influencer marketing campaign depends on your choice of influencers it’s why it’s important to take the time to make sure you are working with the right ones, this step will become easier if you decide to hire a marketing agency to create the campaigns and connect with the influencers.
- Effectively reaches your target audience and drives purchasing decisions
Successful influencers place your content in front of social media users who are already interested in your niche. There’s no additional budget necessary for testing and finding your audience – the influencer has already established this audience on social media for themselves which makes things more easy for your side.
In addition, influencers who mention your brand actually drive sales. Consumers are looking to influencers more and more for advice on what products and services to buy. And when consumers see the influencers that they follow using a product or service they are more likely to buy it than if only appeared on TV.
- Influencers are trendsetters
Influencers are powerful sources of information as it pertains to new products within their industry. Influencers followers deeply respect and often times even idolize their opinions. This is why Influencer market is so powerful and effective.
Sometimes influencers are also given exclusive access to new products before they are even on the market and available to the general public. This provides ample opportunity for a brand to partner with an influencer and builds a campaign around the influencers review of a hot, new product that they have exclusive access to, and in turn, potentially place your brand in the spotlight of a fresh and emerging trend around your product.
If you are not taking advantage of Influencer Marketing, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to increase your brand awareness, grow your following and increase your engagement.
By doing Influencer Marketing you are opening one more door for your business to flourish and grow.