3 Ways to Partner with Instagram Influencers
If you’ve been on Instagram lately—like almost everyone else—you’ve likely seen some form of influencer marketing. While most people think of carefully staged photos, that’s not the only way companies use influencers to reach new audiences.
Regardless of the type of marketing campaign you choose, it’s important to come up with relevant, fresh content that generates publicity and gets consumers excited about opportunities to shop and save. Here, we’ll explain what influencers are and go over some of the most common Instagram influencer marketing strategies.
What is an Influencer, and What Do Influencers Do?
Influencers are so named for the influence they have within specific industries and areas of pop culture. They’re knowledgeable people and personalities who share attention-getting content, and they can persuade their audiences to take certain actions.
Influencer marketing, when done properly, is big business and involves more than taking selfies and posting witty captions. If influencers are believable and have a loyal following, they can be one of the most powerful weapons in a company’s marketing arsenal.
Sponsored Posts
As in other areas of marketing, it’s best to begin with the basics. Sponsored Instagram posts typically start when brands ask influencers to promote their services and products, but they have been known to go the other way, with influencers reaching out to companies.
A sponsored post will likely come in the form of a blog post, video, or photo. While most companies set forth guidelines and recommendations, it’s important for companies to give influencers some level of creative freedom. After all, influencers know their audiences and the best ways to engage with them.
Giveaways and Contests
People love getting free things, and giveaways are great for brands, influencers, and fans. The easier the entry process is, the more popular the contest will be. Most contests involve actions such as the following.
- Reacting to a post
- Commenting with a photo, phrase, or hashtag
- Tagging others
- Following or liking brands on social media
- Visiting the company’s website to sign up for a newsletter or mailing list
- Submitting stories or photos for later judging
With contests and giveaways, brands can build awareness and influencers will gain more followers. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Videos
There are numerous video sharing sites, with Instagram being well-known for getting brands and products in front of various demographics. Millions of videos are watched every day, and brands can gain almost endless exposure by working with influencers.
Videos are popular because they’re easy to watch and short enough to hold viewers’ attention. They’re also a great way to build a following organically, and that’s why brands and influencers everywhere are teaming up to make them.
Build a Stronger Marketing Strategy by Working with Influencers
Influencer marketing is an effective way to build a better social media marketing strategy. To succeed, brands must cultivate relationships with influencers who share their beliefs and target audiences. By experimenting with the above methods and measuring performance, any brand can determine what works best.