We’ve all been there – a friend has recommended something and without any hesitation or question, we have not only taken their word as the holy grail, but then acted upon it.
That’s because nothing influences people more than a recommendation from someone you trust, admire and can resonate with. In fact, Nielsen report that 92% of people trust recommendations from individuals (even if they don’t know them) over brands.
It’s no surprise then that this year is the year of influencer marketing, where brands have flocked to influencers in their hoards to help sell their products and services to engaged audiences via social media.
They’re everywhere. And they’re proving to be powerful.
These social media influencers have access to large audiences and the power of persuasion by virtue of their authenticity and reach.
So how can you use influencer marketing to make your brand stand out and more importantly translate it into sales. It starts with your story and being clear on what you want to tell. It needs to feel like a relationship and collaboration rather than a paid ad and ‘speak’ to the influencer’s audience. This means it must be authentic, real and interesting – not just shallow, regurgitated posts and blatant advertising.
The key ingredient is a strong marketing content strategy and programme.
Great influencer marketing content can spark a conversation, sway opinions, increase brand loyalty and boost sales. But great content is the crucial difference between a potential customer tuning out your message or embracing it wholeheartedly. Because as easily as an audience can be engaged, they can just as quickly swipe and scroll on.
And getting your tailored content in the right place in front of the right audience is another vital piece of the jigsaw. Visual appeal is everything if using Instagram or Pinterest, whilst Facebook posts do well with eye catching compelling short stories. Twitter is key to taking advantage of current trends whilst blog content gives you more space to tell your story. The key is considered planning and really listening and speaking to the end audience.
And guess what? It works. Never more have there been more brands using influencer marketing as part of their content plan. The question is – are you?
blurt – giving your business a voice.