The following article was written by Our Team at Daniel James Consulting for Digital Huddle
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In this digital age, social media and social media users have a special power in the consumer market. With billions of people using social media around the world, it is more important than ever for brands to use digital marketing strategies to promote their companies and spread brand awareness. But how can a brand expand…
In this digital age, social media and social media users have a special power in the consumer market. With billions of people using social media around the world, it is more important than ever for brands to use digital marketing strategies to promote their companies and spread brand awareness. But how can a brand expand its social media presence?
Influencer Marketing Campaigns.
An influencer is somebody that has a degree of power or influence on social media. Oftentimes, influencers have gained a following of other social media users that are interested in a particular subject, such as fashion, gaming, makeup, beauty, or food, but the options are limitless. There are influencers with a broad spectrum of followers with different interests and influencers that represent a niche audience. Partnering with influencers for brand promotion can prove very successful in creating a larger social media presence for your brand, thereby increasing web traffic, sales, and productivity. The types of influencer marketing campaigns include sponsored reviews, niche campaigns, product collaborations, and affiliations and ambassadorships.
Sponsored Reviews
Word of mouth is still a necessity in gaining new, loyal customers. People are more likely to purchase a product after somebody they trust or look up to recommends it. Sponsored reviews allow influencers to show their audience that they trust your brand and your goods. Video and written reviews are great ways for influencers to introduce your brand to their followers.
Niche Influencer Campaigns
You do not need to work with influencers with hundreds or thousands of followers to have a successful campaign. Many smaller influencers have tight-knit communities of followers that will believe in their authenticity. Influencers that have not done many campaigns appear to be more authentic to their fanbase, showing that they care more about what they believe in than the money they can potentially earn. This can also help you pinpoint specific audiences that you want to target and may not be able to access through other influencers. Working with several smaller influencers can generate a diverse array of new customers.
Product Collaborations
Product collaborations are an excellent way to get both influencers and their followers excited about your brand. A good influencer knows what their followers are looking for in a product. Collaborating with an influencer helps you gain insight into what they and their followers want in a product while simultaneously promoting the product and your brand. Examples of this can be seen in fashion and beauty, where influencers have some creative control over the project, but this can also be used in other industries. When an influencer shows their audience that they believe in your brand enough to put their name on a project, it makes it easier for their followers to trust your company.
Affiliates and Ambassadors
Brand ambassadors and affiliates bring brand awareness to another level. Affiliates are people that help promote the company’s products, typically in exchange for a commission. These affiliates show their followers that they like your brand, and they usually have some sort of promotion with the company, such as a coupon code, an affiliate link, or other special promotion. This allows the followers to feel seen by the influencer and the brand. The influencer makes more money based on how much traffic they bring to your company, incentivizing them to promote your brand more and creating a loyalty between your brand, the influencer, and their followers.
Ambassadors are usually long-term partners of the brand who promote the brand and convert their followers into your customers. Working with several ambassadors increases the number of people seeing your products because you expose different followings to your brand. Having diversity in your ambassadors ensures a diverse audience. Ambassadors and affiliates can engage with their audience and your brand by participating in activities such as giveaways and brand-sponsored events. These events show how much they like you and your brand while driving more traffic to your website or store.
Before beginning a marketing campaign, it is important to figure out a budget. You also must do research on your target audience. If you want to sell to a certain audience, you need to know who your audience is, what they like and dislike, who they follow, and what social media sites they are likely to use. Lastly, it is imperative that you do your research on who you are working with. Remember, these influencers will be representing you and your company.