What if you could skyrocket to being the top brand in your industry overnight? We’ll share with you exactly how to make this happen with influencer marketing strategy. Whether you’re a big brand, or a personal brand, influencer marketing can help you reach your goals.
What if you could skyrocket to being the top brand in your industry overnight? How would it feel to skip the slow process of working your way to the top and becoming an instant thought leader or premium brand?
You’ll happy to know that it’s very possible, but the strategy for getting there might be different than you’d imagine. The secret of brands who shoot to consumers top of mind is often influencer marketing. It’s been around forever, but often goes unnoticed.
It can come in the form of product placement or even having a celebrity or well-known personality be associated with your brand with perfect timing.
Influencer Marketing In Real-Time
Recently, rapper Tyga was scrutinized in the media for gifting his Kardashian girlfriend, Kendall Jenner, with a used vehicle he’d given a previous love interest. However, once he presented his new girlfriend with a $320,000 Ferrari at her birthday party in front of her family, friends, and plenty of paparazzi the story changed overnight.
The media is now all abuzz about Ferrari. This is a great example of smart influencer marketing. We can’t confirm that Ferrari was in on the plan, but in this situation an influencer was able to get Ferrri’s name publicity more valuable than any TV ad they could have ever purchased.
The influencer was able to insert their brand into the story giving them more relevance and staying power with consumers. For years, getting a Ferrari as a teenage birthday present will be a part of pop-culture.
The Influencer Marketing Theory
Networking with influential thought leaders in pop culture or your industry opens doors for you and your brand. You will be able to create more opportunities to associate yourself with them in the eyes of your fans.
Immediately, you will be granted a portion of the trust and authority they have worked so hard to attain purely through your association with them.
A great example for a large corporate brand would be the Ferrari example. An example for a personal brand would be, getting a well-known person in your industry to share a testimonial on your work. You would reap 2 benefits:
- Additional exposure for your work through their established network of followers
- Their seal of approval or validation that your work is high quality
How to Work With Top Influencers
So that’s great in theory but how do you actually get to the point where those big influencers are willing to associate themselves with your brand?
There are a number of ways you can go about this and will outline them below. This works a little differently for larger corporate brands and personal brands. Both are outlined below.
Personal Brands
Guests Posts – Offering to provide a guest post to influential thought leaders in your niche is a great way to connect. Most of these individuals will have a link on their site where they accept submission for guest posts. If they don’t, simply reach out through their contact form.
Ad Swaps – Here you will promote another blogger to your mailing list in exchange for them doing the same for you. That way you both benefit by gaining exposure to the audience the other has built a relationship with.
LinkedIn – This professional networking site is a great way to connect with others in your industry. Remember to be courteous and always offer some method of assisting the thought leader in achieving their goals instead of just asking for favors.
In-Person Networking Events – Networking events are a great way to make connections. You can find professional networking events on your local events calendar, sites like EventBrite, and other locations. Check your local professional associations as well.
Corporate Brands
Agencies – Many creative agencies have an access to an arsenal of influencers who are eager to work with large brands. The level of influencer can range from small to large and their costs follows the same scale.
Influencer Sites – There are a number of websites that exist for the sole purpose of connecting influencers with brands. One of my favorites is The Shelf where brands can view influencer profiles to decide who they would like to work with. Also, sites like Products For Review & Bloggers Required allow brands to offer their products or services for free to willing reviewers.
Direct Outreach – Brands can also reach out to influencers directly. Before doing this, you should craft an influencer strategy or program within your organization. However, it’s a very effective way to work with larger celebrities and boost your brands cool factor. When you reach out directly, be prepared with a pitch package to highlight exactly what you have to offer the influencer. This will avoid confusion and lengthy negotiations.
Do you plan to integrate the tips shared in today’s post? Let us know in the comments below.
