Now more than ever, it s important for brands to spread their marketing efforts across multiple channels. The business of magnetizing consumer attention is no longer monopolized by television and other advertising tools of the past. Digital channels, especially social media, continue to attract marketers because of the extent and quality of engagement the huge following of each platform can provide. Influencer marketing is proof that having a clout equals stronger marketing prowess.

What is influencer marketing?

When a brand uses influencers in their marketing strategies, it first targets and associates itself with names that possess great influence over prospective buyers. Celebrities, bloggers, and social media personalities are examples of these. The influencers will then market the brand s products and services to their respective audience of influencers. This practice employs the principle of word-of-mouth marketing except for the use of explicit recommendations.

Most individuals or groups that get to be chosen as brand influencers are highly revered and visible to the sponsoring brand s target audience. The ability to sway other people s purchasing decision is not only characterized by the number of followers the potential influencer has. Other factors must also be considered, such as subject matter expertise, reputation, willingness to represent the brand, and the relationship the influencers share with their followers.

How does a brand benefit from hiring influencers?

There are several compelling reasons why you should include influencer marketing in your branding strategy. Partnering with influencers offer businesses, especially smaller ones, the opportunity to expand the level of trust they receive from consumers. The buzz created by your influencers can help give your brand an overall wider reach. Choosing influencers that are well-respected figures in your industry will also help you reach more targeted consumers who have greater potentials of being converted.

Influencer marketing gives your brand credibility by association. When avid blog readers or fans see that their favorite fashion bloggers or music artists trust your brand, a sense of interest will drive them to get to know more about you. Even if they eventually don t become customers, they can still contribute to your marketing efforts through their engagement, such as sharing and commenting. With effective influencers in your niche, your website will be flooded by new visitors and prospective customers.

If your products or services cater to a very specific type of consumers and you’re not certain how to reach or find them, then niche bloggers who have massive social media networks are your best bet. Brand influencers, unlike professional celebrity endorsers, also generally get hired at an inexpensive price point. Product samples, vouchers, and other complimentary rewards are also common forms of incentives given to influencers.

Influence is a powerful tool of the trade when it comes to marketing a brand. Tapping people who have a certain level of influence over the people you want to buy your products is what you need to get greater exposure. If you have a great product on one hand and a selection of distinguished influencers on the other, then you are ready to reap the many benefits of influencer marketing.