Over the last few years, two things have become certain: Influencer Marketing is here to stay, and the most successful brands understand they need to keep up with marketing trends or risk being left behind in an ever-changing world.
According to a study by Statista, the industry of Influencer Marketing—working with influential people who have a digital following to promote a product or service—is expected to be worth more than $16 billion by the end of 2022. Market size has more than doubled since 2019, and what was once considered a new and experimental type of digital advertising is now an industry staple.
Influencer Marketing has proven itself as one of the most effective ways to build trust, reach new customers, and get your brand in front of people who might not have otherwise heard about you.
Case in point–if you're not utilizing Influencer Marketing, you're missing out on a powerful way to reach your target audience. Here's why it should be a part of your marketing strategy.
3 Reasons Why You Should Tap Into the Power of Influencer Marketing:
It’s Cost-Efficient
Working with Influencers can be an extremely effective way to reach a large number of people quickly, and at a lower cost than traditional advertising methods. Consumers trust the social media influencers that they follow, and the content they produce tends to look more realistic and organic. The result? More engagement, more sales, and more loyal customers. Still can’t afford an influencer with millions of followers? No problem. Our Organic Social expert Carla Monticelli outlines how you can maximize your budget based on your goals:
“Choose your influencer depending on your goals. If you are looking for content, then opt for a smaller influencer, without a big following, who creates beautiful content. If your goal is conversions, then opt for a micro-macro influencer who has an audience that is primed for engagement and purchasing!”
There’s an influencer out there for every budget and audience. And, since influencers do it all—from copywriting, to photography and community management—you can reach more people with less effort and less budget.
It Gives Brands Access To New Audiences
The right partnership can put your brand directly in front of niche audiences in a way that traditional marketing channels haven't been able to. Influencers have built-in audiences that trust their opinion, so when they endorse your brand, their followers take notice. This lets you tap into a new audience that might be interested in your product or service, increasing brand awareness in an authentic and organic way.
So, what’s the best way to ensure you reach new audiences and grow a following of loyal customers? Start with the basics: select the right influencer for your brand. View influencer marketing not as a paid product promotion, but as an opportunity to expand your brand’s reach to more diverse audiences and create a sense of community. This campaign we created for our client NorthGens shows how quality influencers can elevate the look and feel of your brand while reaching a more diverse demographic:
Carla Monticelli explains:
“Influencers are people that we can relate to on a more authentic level. They help us feel represented in the online world. This is why working with influencers has so much value! It adds a layer of relatability and can drive consumer action. It is crucial for brands to make diversity a priority in influencer outreach. The more diverse the campaigns, the more diverse followers become associated with the brand. Not only is it important from a consumer standpoint, but it also has a social impact. It is expected of businesses to embrace diversity!”
It Can Help Your Brand Generate High-Quality Content
In a world where culture is constantly shifting, one thing remains true: content is king. Anyone who's ever scrolled through social media knows that there's no shortage of content out there, so how do you make sure your brand stands out? One word: Influencers.
They’ve already proven their unique ability to produce content that resonates with an audience by growing a following of loyal fans who value their point of view.
When it comes to working with Influencers, SLTC believes that quality should always take precedence over quantity. We only partner with influencers who care about creating high-quality content, and we don't take shortcuts when it comes to finding the right Influencers for our campaigns. While some agencies rely on search engines and AI to match brands with Influencers, we take the time to vet every single Influencer to make sure they're the perfect fit. We value our relationships with the Influencers we work with, and as a result, we're able to deliver high-performing campaigns that generate real results.
Ready to dive in?
“I don’t know where to even begin” is a common refrain from business owners who are interested in the Influencer Marketing space. Partnering with a team of experts, like us at SLTC, can help you find the right influencers for your brand, develop a strategy, and execute a campaign that reaches your target audience and achieves your desired results. Learn more about SLTC services or contact us today to get started!