As influencer marketing grows, more businesses are understanding the value of influencers, but most businesses and influencers alike still have questions before launching a campaign.
Here are some of the common influencer questions you may have along with their well thought out answers:
1. What is influencer marketing?
While this is one of the more straightforward questions that should be asked when someone is considering becoming an influencer, it is also one of the more important ones to fully understand
Influencer marketing is marketing on social media done by people and organizations who have both knowledge and influence in their niche.
Basically, influencers endorse the products or services of a business to their followers.
2. Which is the best social media to use for influencer marketing?
In today’s internet climate, Instagram rules.
However, it is good to have a foot in the door on all platforms. So, choose the best channel for your audience and your campaign.
3. What traits are businesses looking for in an influencer?
The key traits brands are looking for in influencers are likability, creativity, and authority.
According to Courtni Casanova of Copy Press, businesses look for likeability because they want “an influencer who takes the time to build a positive reputation for themselves to clients and customers alike.”
If they do this for themselves, then they will do so for your brand.
Businesses also look for creativity because they need someone who has an eye for marketing.
An influencer who can come up with unique ways to advertise to your audience is someone you need on your team.
One of the biggest questions brands have when looking for an influencer is if they have expertise in their field.
Knowledge mixed with passion makes an influencer’s audience trust them and their opinions.
Therefore, when an influencer represents your product or service, their audience is more likely to purchase the goods they advertise.
4. How high should my following be?
It really depends.
There are larger influencers as well as micro-influencers.
To be considered an influencer at all, however, you need to have a following of at least 2,000 accounts.
And remember, these cannot be followers you have purchased. That would be inauthentic and unethical.
5. What are the benefits of influencer marketing?
Danielle Hayes of The Shelf explains that the benefits of influencer marketing include improved brand awareness, new and exciting content, and relationships with other influencers.
6. Why should I choose influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing allows you to receive free products or payment in exchange for displaying a brand’s products and services to your followers.
However, this does not mean you have to accept every offer from a business that comes your way.
When choosing which brands to represent, you can keep the trust of your audience by only advertising the brands you actually believe in.
7. Is influencer marketing right for me?
If you believe in the brand you are representing and can honestly say you would be happy to recommend their product to a friend, then influencer marketing is right for you!
8. How can I tell if my efforts are working or not?
First, you must set yourself goals that align with the business’.
Once your goals are reached, use Instagram insights to your advantage.
You can see statistics from how many people have clicked on a website link to how many people engage with the pictures you post.
If you are looking for how to track your ROI, however, that requires contacting the business you are representing directly.
But, when you get your first check, it should state your ROI directly on the bill.
9. How do I score a campaign?
Your brand must have a clear aesthetic and professional look. You want your own brand to be represented positively to businesses.
Plus, reading this article is a great first step!
10. Are there any legal problems I need to know about?
The biggest piece of legal information you need to be aware of is your contract with the brand you are working with.
Your contract should outline essentials, such as how much you will be paid per post and the number of posts you should upload within a certain timeframe.
Not only are there legalities to be aware of with your brand, but there are also restrictions to sponsored posts on Instagram.
For example, your post must clearly say that it is an ad or sponsored post.
11. Should I be connecting with other influencers?
Yes!
If you would like to learn about being an influencer, connecting with other influencers and asking them questions about their own experiences is important.
12. Should I change my bio once I represent a brand?
Yes!
Adding the link to the product you are promoting will help with visibility, and in turn, increase your revenue.
Additionally, it shows you are committed to your word regarding the promotion of the brand. This also instills trust in your audience.
13. What is a typical day like for an influencer?
If you have questions about how an influencer spends their day and would like a real example, I recommend checking out Krystal Bick’s Instagram.
She has an agenda that she posts every morning with her activities for the day. Here is a sample:
- 5:30 am Wake up, coffee, (LOTS of coffee), get ready for the day
- 6:00 am Finish the day’s blog post, check emails, and plan content
- 8:00 am Shoot in West Village
- 10:00 am Head to showroom meetings
- 12:00 pm Lunch break
- 1:00 pm Go for a walk or run in the park
- 4:00 pm Find a coffee shop & respond to more emails, send invoices, and pitch brands
- 6:00 pm Head home to make dinner
- 8:00 pm Read, call family, unwind
14. Are there different types of influencers?
Yes! Some examples are educators, activists, and friends.
If you are well-versed in any subject, you can become an educator. This is someone who teaches through content like tutorial videos.
They have the benefit of gaining the trust of their audience because they are a helpful and reliable source.
When you need a recommendation for something, you likely will turn to a friend to get their trusted opinion.
If you act like a friend to your followers, you will then be able to form closer bonds with your audience.
Lastly, you can be an activist. Being an activist can attract a large number of followers because you are the voice of others who share the same opinions, but are too scared to speak themselves.
15. Is there a difference between an influencer and a brand ambassador?
This is one of the more advanced influencer questions, but the answer is rather simple.
The difference was said best by Caroline Lauder of gShift: “An influencer is someone who treats their blog and their social networks as a business, protects their personal brand, and has a loyal, engaged following. Influencers typically work with brands they have an affinity for and run short-term campaigns. In return, influencers receive some form of compensation.”
In contrast, a brand ambassador, “may, or may not have a large, engaged following and work with brands on a more long-term basis. In return, ambassadors are typically paid on a retainer basis for being loud and proud to represent a brand. Ideally, an influencer turns into a brand ambassador as they represent higher authenticity and credibility.”
16. What is the most popular field for influencer marketing?
There are many fields! They include travel, food, and fashion to name a few.
Although be sure to pick an area that you are passionate about, that is where you will be most successful!
17. What should I avoid as an Instagram influencer?
There are several things you shouldn’t do as an influencer.
The first being to never purchase fake followers (for obvious reasons).
Also, you should not be posting sporadically. Posting consistently keeps your brand interesting to your followers.
18. How often should I post?
As mentioned in the last question, you should post consistently.
The number of posts “consistently” equates to is up to your judgment.
Typically, the rule of thumb is no more than three posts per day.
19. How do I know if a business matches my personal brand?
It’s easy!
Do you enjoy the brand and what they offer?
If yes, then they are a good match!
To be more concrete, however, you should look at their target market to see if the majority make up your followers.
20. What types of campaigns can I do?
Usually, the type of campaign is up to the influencer, which is why you should be creative. How you advertise is up to your aesthetic.
However, some ideas include contests, blog posts, and reviews.
21. Are there other ways to be “paid” as an influencer?
Yes.
Influencers can receive free products, discounts, and commission!
22. Are celebrity endorsements the same as influencer campaigns?
Josephine Hardy from Acorn argues not necessarily. “Influencers usually have a smaller audience than celebrities, targeting a niche with content that appeals to people with common interests. That said, celebrities are influential, and are often used in conjunction with influencers in campaigns.”
23. Can my campaign as an influencer be expanded into a larger one?
Possibly, if you do everything right!
24. Should I grow my following or stay a micro-influencer?
This is entirely up to your judgment.
If you want to be contacted by smaller, niche brands, then maintaining your following rather than growing it is best for you.
On the other hand, growing your brand can lead to work with larger businesses and better deals.
25. Are impressions better than engagements?
As Hardy explains, “holistically speaking neither one is better than the other because you need to have an impression before you get engagement.”
Despite that, you do still want just as much engagement.
While being professional and passionate about your work as an influencer will almost guarantee you success in your field, you still need to be open and adapting to each experience.
Additional articles you might be interested in:
- What Is Influencer Marketing And How Can Marketers Use It Effectively?
- 12 Most Profitable Niches For Making Money Online
- How To Choose The Right Social Media Platform For Your Business
- 7 Traits Of Successful Instagram Influencers
- 5 Ways To Network As A Micro-Influencer
- How To Stay Authentic As An Influencer
- 8 Reasons Why Becoming An Influencer May Not Be For You
- 6 Elements To Ponder When Brainstorming Your Blog’s Brand Aesthetics
- 5 Things To Consider When Drawing Up A Legal Contract In Business
- How To Write A Sponsored Post That Drives Sales
- How To Build Strategic And Loyal Business Relationships
- 5 Things To Avoid Doing As An Influencer
- How To Post Consistent Quality Pictures On Instagram
- How To Discover And Engage Your Target Audience
- 13 Ways To Increase Your Instagram Engagement
- How To Get More Engagement On Instagram
Claire Erickson is currently a blogging intern at LadyBossBlogger.com. Claire has just returned from studying abroad at the London College of Fashion and will finish her senior year studying retail merchandising back at her home university – University of Minnesota (Twin Cities). She is looking forward to having a future in buying, trend research, or planning.
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