Your Guide to Influencer Marketing

July 16, 2019 by Affirm Agency

“Influencer” has been a buzz term in the marketing industry lately. But what exactly is an influencer, and how can they help your business? We’ve answered all your questions here!

Question: What is an influencer?

Answer: An influencer is a person who has the ability to “influence” consumer purchase decisions. This ability is usually established through online channels such as social media or blogs. Many companies employ influencers in their digital marketing strategy. 

Question: What’s the difference between an influencer and a celebrity?

Answer: A celebrity is almost always an influencer, but an influencer doesn’t have to be a celebrity. Celebrities work in just a handful of industries like music, film, television, fashion, and athletics. As a result, they can reach and influence a lot of people through social media.  

However, influencers can work in any industry! While celebrities enjoy large-scale social media followings, non-celebrity influencers often have a smaller, niche online following – targeting a specific age group, location, profession, or interest.

Question: How can I create an effective influencer marketing campaign?

Answer: Here are some tips for successful influencer marketing:

1. Know your marketing goals.
   What do you want to gain from an influencer marketing campaign? Make sure you have clear, attainable goals, and understand how an influencer can help you achieve them.
2. Pick. The. Right. Influencer.
   This is KEY! If you want to see results, you need to choose an influencer who aligns with your brand and your marketing goals. Spend some time getting to know your potential influencer and their followers. Make sure your influencer is the best person to represent your brand.
3. Make your expectations clear.
   Allow your influencer to express themselves authentically, but also communicate your expectations for your campaign. If you picked the right influencer, they will be more than willing to make your key messages clear.
4. Don’t forget to disclose!
   Remember: it’s ILLEGAL for an influencer to represent a product without disclosing compensation. Make sure your influencer makes it clear that their post is an advertisement.

Good luck with your influencer marketing campaign! If you have marketing concerns, AFFIRM is here to help! Contact us for more information.