When it comes to working with social media influencers and bloggers, getting your campaign right is crucial to the success of what you’re trying to achieve.
Influencers don’t want to work on campaigns that don’t achieve their goals, it looks bad for them and doesn’t foster long-term working relationships.
In order to find the right influencer for your business, brand or service the most important thing to consider is how they align with your brand values and image. Once you know you’re a match here, the rest should be easy to evaluate.
At Excalibur Press we have just under 500 influencers (at the time of writing in Jan24) on our database here in Northern Ireland and throughout the rest of Ireland with an extended database across the rest of the UK.
But one of the things we don’t do is rest on our laurels when we have a new campaign for a client.
The world of digital marketing moves at breakneck speed and the influencers who would work well for your brand today may not be the same people next month.
Of course you can speak with our team at Excalibur Press to support you with your influencer campaign, however, if you want to go it alone always make sure you’re keeping your database up to date on a weekly and monthly basis.
Here are some top tips to help you choose the right influencer for your campaign:
Define Your Goals and Audience
Clearly define what you want to achieve with your influencer campaign (brand awareness, sales, engagement, etc.) and understand your target audience. This will guide you in selecting influencers who can best meet these objectives and resonate with your audience.
Look for Relevance
Choose influencers who align with your brand values and have content that is relevant to your product or service. Their audience should be similar to your target customer base.
Evaluate Their Engagement Rate
Beyond follower count, look at the influencer’s engagement rate. This includes likes, comments, shares, and the quality of these interactions. A high engagement rate often indicates a loyal and active audience.
Assess Content Quality
Review the quality of the influencer’s content. It should be professional, well-crafted, and consistent. High-quality content reflects well on your brand and is more likely to engage the audience.
Check Authenticity
Look for influencers who have a genuine connection with their audience and share authentic content. Influencers who frequently do sponsored posts might not be as effective, as their endorsements may seem less genuine.
Consider Their Reach
While mega-influencers have a vast reach, micro-influencers often have a more engaged and niche audience. Depending on your goals, decide what size and type of audience are most beneficial for your campaign.
Analyse Audience Demographics
Ensure the influencer’s audience demographics (age, location, interests, etc.) align with your target market. Some platforms and tools can provide insights into an influencer’s audience demographics.
Review Past Collaborations
Look at previous brands the influencer has worked with, especially competitors. This can give you an idea of their experience and how they integrate sponsored content.
Ensure Transparency and Compliance
The influencer should follow advertising guidelines and be transparent about sponsored content. This is crucial for maintaining trust with their audience and yours.
Set Clear Expectations and Communication
Once you shortlist influencers, communicate your expectations clearly regarding content, timelines, and campaign goals. Good communication is key to a successful partnership.
Trial Campaigns
Consider running a small trial campaign with potential influencers to gauge their effectiveness and compatibility with your brand before committing to a longer-term partnership.
Monitor and Measure Results
Track the performance of your influencer campaigns to evaluate their impact. This can help in making informed decisions about future collaborations.