Engaging with Social Influencers – a how to guide

When you first heard the term social influencers, what is the first thing that popped into your mind? Generally, an influencer is someone who has the power to change another person’s decision making skills by carrying influence over others. A social media influencer therefore is someone who wields that influence through social media. The level of influence varies for every individual (and even by channel!) because no two influencers are the same.

One of the most valuable forms of marketing is word-of-mouth. Studies have shown that a person’s purchasing decision is affected by someone they respect and trust. And every potential customer is highly receptive to recommendations.

From the traditional word-of-mouth into the world of digital relationship – influencer marketing has evolved largely. A social study found out that 49 percent of consumers seek purchase guidance from social influencers before they make the decision to buy. Also, a survey held found that Youtube creators took eight spots of the Top 10 influencers – thus proving that social influencers are creating a bigger world outside the realm of digital marketing.

So, Why Does Your Brand Need Influencers?

Note that an individual will generally trust a recommendation from a third party more than the brand itself. Brand brag about how good they are all the time – that’s what marketing is all about. But how more pwerful is a positive statement about a brand, if it comes from someone outside of the organisation?

Social influencers not only bring you to the right audience but they also do bring their networks. Because of the loyalty of their audience, an influencer can drive their audience towards you and your website, increased your social media exposure and even accelerate product purchasing.

Influencers on social media do not just sit around and take photos of green smoothies (even if they do look delicious); they work hard and continue to learn adapting what they already know to the ever changing world of digital marketing.

Here are some of the most effective marketing tools used by Social Media Influencers:

1. Demographics Pro for Twitter
2. Facebook’s Pixel
3. Followerwonk
4. Hootsuite
5. Influencer Strategy Template
6. Insightpool
7. Right Relevance Pro
8. Streamview for Instagram
9. TrendSpottr for Instagram
10. UTM Parameters

Using a social media influencer can be a helpful marketing strategy – a practice that seeks to build a lasting relationship with the people who can build relationship for you. It is where you can create a larger audience from people who possess high level of influence and credibility over others. And whether it is a small or large audience, a social influencer is able to reach their consumers with their blogs and social channels that your brand may not be able to.