A Beginner’s Guide to Influencer Marketing

As you review your marketing strategy for 2024, are you considering influencer marketing? Many professionals believe that influencer marketing is not accessible either for budget reasons or lack of knowledge on this tactic. One of our own clients was hesitant to try a collaboration with a local influencer – mostly because she was not aware of the value of collaboration content. This article will teach you how to get started with influencer marketing. Check out our influencer marketing case study.

What Is Influencer Marketing?

It involves a collaborative effort with a social media influencer, creator, or another brand to craft content that amplifies your brand across digital platforms. With a projected value of $22.2B by 2025, influencer marketing remains a top marketing strategy for brands. These numbers illustrate its undeniable impact on the marketing landscape.
 
Creator accounts of all sizes with a dedicated niche and an engaged following use their accounts to endorse businesses that relate to their niche. These influencers’ rates vary based on the account following and the content they provide. Influencer arrangements typically include a reel, photo post, or story that mentions your brand and/or invites your brand to be a collaborator. Click here to learn how to set up a collaboration post.

How Do Influencer Posts Grow Your Social Media?

The main goal of influencer marketing is to increase your audience reach. You are, in essence, purchasing the influencer’s audience to benefit your brand. While your brand’s social media posts reach your existing followers and a small number of non-followers, collaboration posts tap into the influencer’s unique audience, introducing both brands to a much wider audience. This not only raises brand awareness but also contributes to an increase in follower count and profile visits, all of which are essential for growing your own audience.
 
What sets influencer posts apart from regular, unsponsored content? It’s the organic touch. People are naturally drawn to influencer content because it feels authentic. Compared to ads, influencer posts have a higher likelihood of engagement. People trust the opinions of other people. If an influencer gives your product or service a shoutout, their followers are eager to get on board or learn more. It’s that word-of-mouth effect in the digital realm.

How to Set up an Influencer Marketing Collaboration

Collaborations with influencers begin with a relationship, just like any other business partnership. A good place to start looking for collaborators is among your own followers and the accounts you follow. Do you follow any accounts that have a similar target audience as your brand? For instance, if you run a yoga studio, you could reach out to a local day spa, healthy cafe, or a juice bar.
 
Next, build the relationship by engaging with their posts and starting a conversation in the DMs. As you get to know the account, think of ways in which you can add value to their brand through shared content. Compare what your respective audiences are looking for on social. Note that influencer collaboration doesn’t always involve monetary compensation. Consider options to barter product or services in exchange for collaboration content.
 
Finally, propose a collaboration with specific deliverables, timeline, and benefits. What are the details of the promoted offer? How will your audience redeem the offer? What specific content are you looking for? For example: 1 reel and 2 stories; or maybe a carousel post to recap their experience. Clearly outline their role in the collaboration, how you will provide value in return, and specify your requirements from their end.

We Can Help

Need an assist with your influencer marketing?

We research appropriate influencers for your brand and broker those deals for our clients. We manage the deliverables and track the results of our collaboration content. The FWC team lives in the social media space 24/7 and collectively has +30 years of experience growing social media accounts for service-based brands.

So, if you are ready to see real results, click here to book a discovery call.