Influencer marketing has come off as a breakthrough social media strategy in the last few years. This millennial marketing strategy has proven to be one of the most robust ways to enhance brand awareness, increase audience engagement and conversions.
The best influencer marketing campaigns bring straightforward benefits to the brand as well as the influencer. It manages to create a picture-perfect connection between the brand and the influencer in the minds of the viewers. You have to work in the right direction to make this happen.
Here we have the most influential guide to reap the most benefits out of your influencer campaign.
1. Start with thorough audience research
The audience research process is a critical step which should not be skipped at any cost. The sad thing is, most businesses take this lightly and suffer the brunt in the long run. Every social media strategy, whether influencer-based or not must initiate with the audience research process.
Make sure to know your target audience, their likes and dislikes, their values and behavior. Once you have learnt everything about the audience you want to target, you can choose the right influencer who can help you with your campaign. Having an audience insight, to begin with enables you to design a more robust influencer campaign that drives optimum results.
2. Customize content as per specific platforms
Every content that is a part of your social media strategy, including your influencer campaign, must be tailored according to the platform on which it is published. While working with an influencer, you need to plan on what content to produce and publish as per each platform.
- YouTube videos should come with a convincing hook
- Facebook posts should be short, crisp and catchy
- Instagram posts should be chic and precise
3. Strike the correct balance with the influencer
Working with an influencer requires a balanced approach to working. Both of you should know each other and let each other work without interference, or else, the misbalance of work will mar the social media strategy.
Explain your brand and its values to the influencer. Set your guidelines with the influencer. He or she knows his or her audience. Be particular with what you want but let the influencer do his or her thing. Use you influencer as a brand ambassador.
4. Build long term partnerships for a robust social media strategy
Partner with influencers for the long term instead of just a one-off promotional campaign. This phenomenon helps brands build stronger relationships leading to higher audience engagement and greater conversions.
Most big brands opt for building long term relationships with their influencers as it helps develop brand loyalty. The target audience looks up to the influencer, and the fact that he or she has stayed on with a particular brand adds up to the authenticity of the brand.
5. Intensify the effect of the influencer campaign
Once your niche influencer posts a content related to your brand on his or her social media page, you need to promote it across all your social media channels. Do remember to thank the influencer for promoting your brand and give a link to your other web pages as well. It will be great if you are active in the comments section.
Ensure that you do not end up spamming the content without a purpose. You need to think before posting an influencer’s post across all channels. A catchy, image-based and to-the-point post might suit well on Instagram and Facebook, but it will surely not be a good fit for serious people on LinkedIn. Therefore, think strategically and reap maximum benefits out of your social media strategy with the help of an influencer.
Merely engaging in influencer marketing is just not enough. The recent trend has shown that more investment by big companies in Influencer marketing is making them go miles ahead of the competition. A successful social media strategy is all about rising above the basics. Follow our tips and lead the race like never before.