A successful influencer marketing strategy yields numerous benefits. First, it can build trust in a brand, whether through social media posts, video, among other types of content. Second, it has the ability to help companies establish partnerships, meaning that their reach can be expanded more so. To say that these benefits are useful would be an understatement. Getting off on the right foot may be easier said than done, which is where the expertise of an influencer marketing company comes into the picture.
Influencers are broken up into different categories. Macro influencers, for example, are those with social media follower counts between 100,000 and one million. Due to their wide audiences, macro influencers are often partnered with to help businesses expand their reach. Conversely, micro influencers possess smaller audiences; they usually boast anywhere from 1,000 to 100,000 followers. However, their focuses tend to be more specific and laser-focused. This doesn’t even begin to touch on influencers that are known for vlogging. writing, and being on reality TV, to name a few examples. Simply put, the term “influencer” is broader than one may think.
There are multiple steps involved in creating an influencer marketing strategy. From outreach to content creation to promotional efforts, this is an in-depth process that will require time and effort. Keep in mind that goals will vary from business to business. To understand whether this marketing tactic is right for you, consider speaking to a social media agency that specializes in different forms of advertising. Here are the must-haves of any strategy that is built for influencer marketing success.
First, understand which social media platforms are best. When one thinks of influencer marketing, more often than not, the various types of social media will spring to mind. Arguably the most popular platforms that every influencer marketing strategy should prioritize is Instagram. This is a platform that prioritizes visual forms of media, photos and videos included, which makes it easy to consume. Furthermore, its worth continues to grow. Valued at over $100 billion, dwarfing even Twitter, Instagram is among the most vital platforms for influencers. This isn’t to say that other platforms should be ignored, as the likes of Facebook and YouTube can be just as meaningful.
Second, focus on a goal that your influencer marketing efforts should achieve. Are you looking to promote a product? Perhaps you’re more focused on building your social media following, not only on Instagram, but Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. Whatever the case may be, no strategy can kick off without a clear goal in mind. Every aspect of a marketing strategy should revolve around the goal in question. Establish an idea and take the necessary steps to bring it to life.
Third, one must know how to create and utilize different types of content. Influencer marketing, as well as digital marketing in general, is built upon the foundation of high-quality content, which takes on different forms. Sponsored content, which often shows influencers using products or services provided by other companies, is common in the influencer marketing world. However, contests and giveaways can be held, yielding more engagement from those that may be interested in what’s being offered. One of the pillars of an influencer marketing strategy is a focus on user-focused content, so ensure that it’s geared toward your audience.
Fourth, an understanding of how to conduct outreach will be needed. The ability to reach out to influencers is critical in regard to influencer marketing. Start by identifying the right influencers to reach out to. This is true for any industry, be it cosmetics, travel, or nutrition, among others. Next, understand the importance of relationship building. This can be done by following influencers on social media and interacting with their posts. From there, determine the best way to message them, whether through email or directly on social media. If results seem slow, especially over the long term, consider ways to fine-tune your approach.
Fifth, measurability is essential when discussing influencer marketing efforts. To be more specific, a marketer must be able to measure their efforts over time, preferably on a monthly basis. This will allow marketers to see how well their strategies are performing, from social media growth to content engagement and beyond. Depending on the statistics generated, strategies may have to be retooled, ensuring that they perform better in the months that follow. This will strengthen the relationships businesses have with influencers, yielding more success in the long term.
About fishbat: fishbat is a full-service Long Island SEO and marketing agency located in New York. Utilizing the latest technologies and forward-thinking strategies, fishbat is able to create marketing plans that are tailor-made for specific needs and goals. The services that fishbat provides include, but aren’t limited to, social media management, search engine optimization, content marketing, email marketing, and branding. With these, businesses will be able to market directly to their audiences, increasing traffic, engagement, and ultimately, revenue.
