20 May Why Businesses are Being Drawn to Influencer Marketing

Even with all the social media platforms and marketing strategies out there, word-of-mouth referrals are still one of the most effective and persuasive means of converting interested audiences into full-fledged customers. Perhaps you bought a new product or used a particular service at the persuasion of a friend or through the encouragement of a social media influencer. So what is an “influencer,” exactly? Forbes’s definition is that “an influencer is someone who helps other people buy from you.” Forbes also identifies the three key qualities that make marketing influencers successful: high reach (a large following), credibility, and salesmanship. We see influencers all the time, whether we realize it or not. While scrolling through Instagram, you may swipe past models advertising diet teas or the latest shoe fad. There’s a smorgasbord of YouTubers that run their own channels to review products and show step-by-step instructions demonstrating how to use these products. Many celebrities have also jumped on the influencer bandwagon to promote a variety of products, like food subscription boxes, makeup, kitchenware, prescription glasses, and many more. Influencers aren’t just pretty faces with labels tacked onto them. Each influencer is unique. What they all have in common is their ability to resonate with audiences and persuade them that a brand or product is worth their time and money. Of course, influencer marketing isn’t meant for every business. But it is a great strategy for brands that rely on aesthetics and engagement to boost their products’ visibility. Here are 4 reasons why Social Spice Media believes social media influencers are helping change businesses’ marketing game for the better:

1. Influencers Do the Work for You

A lot of businesses don’t have the time to brainstorm and create content that will generate buzz. The beauty of hiring influencers is that they will, for the most part, create the content for you. And influencers can provide the imagery for you, as well as a sincere but not-too-salesy testimonial about how awesome your brand is. Chances are, the influencer will have a good grasp of what type of imagery and verbiage resonates most with their followers and how to showcase your brand in the best light.

2. Influencers Build Trust

Imagine that one of your favorite fashion icons, celebrities, or role models has just released a vlog about a product you’ve been thinking about buying but haven’t purchased yet. Whether or not you actually buy the product, you’ll probably be more likely to do so at the encouragement of someone you trust versus actors in a generic television ad.

3. Influencers Utilize Targeted Marketing

It’s a helpful selling point if a social media influencer is relatable to his or her audience in some way. Perhaps he or she is close to the same age as their followers, or is a fitness guru, a stay-at-home mom or dad, or has a solid reputation as an honest product reviewer. This establishes credibility, making audiences feel as though they’re part of a conversation rather than just passive viewers watching a commercial.

4. Influencers Increase Brand Awareness – and Revenue

Influencers can get around ad blocks that many devices implement by coming across as social media users simply sharing their joy about a product. This ultimately helps brands boost traffic, engagement, and brand awareness. And the more the influencer mentions your brand in posts, the more likely your SEO ranking is to improve. Influencer marketing can also give your brand’s revenue a boost. A poll conducted by influencer marketplace Tomoson reported that in general, businesses generate nearly $7 for every $1 that they spend on influencer marketing. It’s no wonder that influencer marketing was also ranked as the fastest-growing and most cost-effective marketing channel. Get in touch with Social Spice Media to learn more about creating a marketing plan for your business and how you can effectively spend your marketing dollars. Our team pays attention to your goals and creates a custom strategy that delivers results. Do you know someone who could benefit from our services? Refer them to us today! Our team is eager to connect with businesses in any industry. We serve the local needs of Ventura County and Santa Barbara as well as anywhere in the United States.