Influencer marketing is a strategy that the smartest marketers are using to gain the trust of potential customers with rapid speed. We’ll tell you how you this single strategy can help you win the hearts of your target market and build authority quicker than ever before.
When it comes to creating a brand online, trust is a big factor that can lead you to success or failure.
If your brand is trusted, consumers will be more willing to interact and engage on your channels with the brand. They’ll also be more likely to deem your website to be credible enough to make a purchase from or share with their friends.
Influencer marketing can help you win the hearts of your target market and build authority in lightning speed. People listen to influencers because they are trusted and because they almost feel like they know them on a personal level.
Let’s look at a few examples:
EXAMPLE 1 – BUILDING TRUST USING INFLUENCERS AS A PERSONAL BRAND
Mary is a business coach who’s in her first month of business. She’s got the smarts and is very passionate about helping others find success on their own. However, she’s so new to the industry that she doesn’t have many referrals or past work to share with potential clients.
Most people in this situation would scramble to take on as many new clients as possible to build up a big portfolio of work. Influencer marketing provides us with a few other options that are more effective, less demanding, and highly impactful.
First, Mary could try to partner with established business coaches (influencers) in her area that can speak to her knowledge and provide a testimonial to her work. Having the seal of approval from an old pro will help others trust that she is skilled as a business coach.
Mary could also find a high profile individual who is struggling with their current business or looking to begin a new one. Assisting one well-known influencer will build more authority and trust for her brand than her work with a dozen business owners who are unknown.
EXAMPLE 2 – BUILDING TRUST USING INFLUENCERS AS A CORPORATE BRAND
XYZ clothing shop opened their doors 5 years ago and is struggling to survive. On average about 10 people a day walk through their doors. 50% of the people who enter their store make a purchase and their average sale is around $150. The owners know that they have the right inventory, they just need more door swings.
The business owners could turn to traditional media buying and purchase advertising on local radio stations and TV channels. While this could help with brand awareness, influencer marketing would be a stronger choice to improve perceptions about the store and their quality of clothing.
First, the shop could select a few influencial people around town and invite them to a special after hours shopping event. This group could include bloggers, city officials, or other well known individuals with a large network of friends. Building buzz around the event would help generate word of mouth marketing for the store.
Are you interested in starting an influencer marketing program for your brand or business? Let us know in the comments below.
