Influencer marketing is a hot topic right now, with a 90% increase in Google searches. But influencer marketing isn’t new at all. It’s been around for as long as we’ve had social media sites. Celebrities and sports figures were among our first influencers, and brands would partner with them to help promote their products. Nowadays, nearly anyone can be an influencer. But before we get into that, here are the basics of influencer marketing.
What is influencer marketing?
It’s a type of marketing that involves partnering with popular social media users to help promote your products or services. These users can either direct traffic and attention to your business, or they can create, publish or share content to generate interest in your products.
Who are influencers?
These are individuals who have the power to control the purchase decision of others thanks to their knowledge, authority, position or popularity. Influencers usually have a prominent online presence and a large social media following.
What are the benefits?
Audiences believe influencer campaigns are more authentic and organic than the traditional advertising campaigns they encounter. This is because influencers are perceived as having experienced the product or service being offered. Also, they are often everyday people who have invested their time and efforts into building their audience and connecting with their followers. This makes influencers a more trusted source for customers.
This form of marketing can increase traffic to your website. It can boost the connection between your business and its customers and potentially garner media attention. Influencers can generate buzz around your products and spread your business name across social media sites. By using influencer marketing, you can target your ideal demographic, boost your social media presence and increase your SEO results.
What are the costs?
There’s no fixed rate when it comes to influencer marketing. You can choose to pay your influencer a flat rate, a performance-based rate or even offer a free product in exchange for promotional content. Regardless of how much you pay, it’s guaranteed to be more affordable and effective than traditional advertising.
Influencer marketing isn’t about gaining celebrity endorsements. It’s about making the most of influencer authenticity to build a genuine relationship between your brand, the influencer and your customers. That’s why influencer marketing is unlike other marketing strategies. And why this form of marketing is growing increasingly popular.
