Who Are Influencers and How can They Help Your Business?
Influencer marketing is an aspect of marketing that has gained importance in recent times. A lot of people
are talking about it and businesses are paying a lot for it. For an influencer with 5,000 followers,
companies can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 to get their product posted. So you begin to
wonder, “why are businesses willing to spend that much?” It’s simple. It is because there are benefits to be
derived from influencer marketing. This post will include the many benefits of influencer marketing so sit
tight.
Who Are Influencers?
An influencer is a person who has the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of his or
her authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with his or her audience. Influencers can be celebrities,
industry experts, or social media personalities who have built a large following of people who look to
them as an authority on various topics. They have the ability to sway the opinions and decisions of their
followers, making them invaluable assets to marketers and businesses. As such, influencers are often
sought out by companies, who are keen to use their credibility and influence to increase their visibility
and reach potential customers. Influencers are like the gateway between companies and customers:
they open the doors and allow people to discover what the company has to offer, without the company
needing to do any of the hard work of finding and connecting with potential customers.
How Influencer Marketing Can Help Your Business
Paying a lot of money to get influencers to post about your brand might seem like it is not worth it, but it
is. There are numerous ways influencers can help your business. They include:
1. Influencers Influence Purchase Decisions and Increase Sales
According to a survey conducted by The Nielsen Analytics Company around 92% of consumers depend
upon the recommendations of influencers before deciding which products or services they want to
purchase. This is because people tend to trust influencers more than traditional advertisements, as
influencers come across as more reliable and authentic. Furthermore, influencers have built a relationship
with their followers and this relationship encouraged their followers to trust their recommendations.
Nevertheless, this figure is not the same for every industry. The trust factor is even higher in certain
industries such as fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. This is because influencers have the ability to show
followers their lifestyles and how they use the products they recommend, which makes the products seem
more desirable and attainable. It may however be lower in industries like health.
2. Influencers Make It Easier For Customers To Trust Your Business
The trust between influencers and their followers can often be stronger than the trust between companies
and their customers. Customers may be more likely to try a product if they see someone they trust, like an
influencer, using it and recommending it. For many people, influencers have become relatable figures in
their lives. Followers can relate to their stories and experiences, as opposed to companies which are often
seen as faceless entities. This makes influencers much more approachable and credible, making it easier
for them to build trust with their followers.
3. Influencer Marketing Is Cost Effective
Influencer marketing is often more cost-effective than traditional advertising because influencers typically
charge a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising. Furthermore, it is more targeted – influencers focus
on a specific niche, so their followers are likely to be interested in the products or services being
promoted. For example, a cosmetics brand may partner with a beauty influencer to promote a new
product, as the influencer’s followers are likely to be interested in beauty and cosmetics.
Plus, influencers have a direct relationship with their followers, so they are more likely to trust their
recommendations. This makes them even more powerful than traditional advertising, as followers are
more likely to take action based on the advice of an influencer they trust.
4. Influencers Improve Brand Awareness
By increasing the visibility of a brand, influencers help to create a buzz around a product or service,
which leads to more people learning about it. This increased awareness can result in more people buying
the product, as they are more likely to trust a recommendation from someone they follow. The influencers
themselves often have a loyal following of people who trust their opinion and view them as reliable
sources of information. This gives the brand credibility and legitimacy, which can lead to increased sales.
5. Influencers Set Trends
When influencers post about a brand, their followers are more likely to trust their opinion and purchase
the product. This is because influencers have the ability to influence their followers and set social media
trends and maybe even trends in real life depending on their level of influence.
Influencers have already established a certain level of trust with their followers, and they often provide
valuable information about the product or service they are promoting. By sharing their opinions and
experiences, they can create a positive sentiment among their followers and increase the chances of
people purchasing the product. So if you need sales, reach, or need people to increase the credibility of
your brand, using influencers to promote your business can be a great idea
