So you want to be a better influencer? Step one, read this!
Influencers have it all. They have committed followers, the perfect photo filters, get to try free cool products, and always seem to have the best lighting not matter what time of day it is. But you don’t become a successful influencer overnight. It takes time, strategy, and commitment to the work. But, being an influencer is worth all the work and it is something that is going to last!
Influencer marketing is one of most popular forms of marketing in the advertising space, with Google searches for the topic growing 1500% over the past 3 years. Additionally, marketers know that influencers work to help drive campaigns with goals ranging from brand awareness to sales conversions. Because of that, it has become a popular marketing strategy for brands looking to amplify their reach on social media, get the word out about their company, and increase sales.
But it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to successfully navigate the influencer landscape. There are so many more influencers than there was 3 years ago, but there are also more brands looking to work with influencers than ever before. How do you best make yourself stand out among a very crowded field and snag those deals?
These tips can help you understand the workings of a successful social media influencer.
1. They Brand Themselves
Who are you? Inquiring brands want to know! Branding yourself isn’t as complicated as it may seem and you won’t need to outsource it. Successful influencers brand themselves in simple ways like separating their influencer account from their personal account. This way you can still post that picture from your cousin’s wedding without interrupting the layout of your totally awesome color scheme or posting outside of your niche. You can tag your personal account in your bio if you want, as well. The more people connect with your brand, the more they’ll want Behind the Scenes content too!
2. Keep it Simple
Most of the best in the biz use the same name or handle across all their channels. This makes it easier for people to find them and their awesome content on the web. Sometimes it can be hard to get the name you want, trust me I know (if you don’t have a number in your gmail address, I am very jealous). There are like a bajillion Megan’s. But you can get creative and think outside the box. If you are into style and @styleking is taken try @EmperorofStyle of @KinglyStyle. Emperor has a nice ring to it though!
3. Successful Influencers Optimize their Bio’s
If you don’t have some descriptive info about yourself in your bio then you are missing out. The easiest way to increase opportunities as an influencer is to put some relevant info in your bio. Keywords like “Fitness Blogger”, “Fashion Photographer”, “Foodie when moody” are all simple ways to make it easier for a brand to select you. Keep it updated as your interests grow and add your location and contact information. If you’re wanting to keep some privacy, just be sure to keep your DMs open. Many brands will reach out that way to get your info as well!
4. Of the People!
To be a great social media influencer means to be social with those you influence! Brands look through your posts to see how engaged you are with your followers. When they ask questions great influencers try to reply to as many as possible or direct them to places for more information.
5. They Have Great Followers
It’s not all about quantity. Quality is often more important when it comes to an influencer’s appeal. If you have 10 thousand followers but 7 thousand of them are just following you because you followed them they are less likely to care about your niche. So make sure to keep your engaged followers by engaging with them! Social media is supposed to be social after all.
6. They Keep it Real
If you are Vegan but post images of meat snacks, there’s a bit of a disconnect. Posting or promoting products you have no intention of trying helps no one. Even though a brand may like the exposure your own brand is mixed up and your followers will think you were just in it for the pay off. In the short-term, it might mean a decent payday, but in the long term it means your followers will feel distrustful and disconnected from you.
Additionally, if you loved the product, say so! People value your opinions. Don’t forget to tag the brands, even those you aren’t working with. This could lead to a partnership as well and provides valuable insight for the brands!
7. They Have A Blog
Blog’s are still where it’s at. Not only do blogs offer influencers opportunities to make money from ads they also lead to more sales than social media posts. Blogs often allow more more flexibility when it comes to deliverables for a brand, meaning that you have a more power in the negotiation process. Blogs are also a valuable way to crest long form content that fully explores your experiences with a product in ways that a static post on Instagram cannot.
An influencer who can broadcast their message across social AND their blog is sure to be successful.
8. They Know What to Request in Compensation
I know it can be hard to know when to expect or what to expect for compensation. When you are a smaller influencers, you are more likely to be approached by smaller brands who may just want you to review a product or service in exchange for free products or a small payment.
However, make sure to highlight the quality of your followers, not just quantity. If you have a highly engaged following, even small follower counts can lead to lucrative deals. If you have more followers or aren’t sure, see if there are other influencers that are willing to chat! Or you can just ask what their best offer is and negotiate up from there with the brand.
9. Successful Social Media Influencers say No
Don’t accept every offer you get. The last thing you want to do is spend so much time posting reviews and products that your followers begin to think of you as an extension of Amazon reviews. Don’t neglect your original post style for the sake of a brand’s request. If you aren’t sure whether or not you will follow through on a brand’s requests, be honest about it. It is OK to say you may not post a product if you did not like it. Your feedback is valuable as well. If you promise brands with no intention of following through then brands will stop working with you in the future. Honesty is always the best policy.
10. They make Valuable Relationships
No one gets anywhere alone. The greatest social media influencers form relationships with other influencers, brands, and agencies alike. These are wonderful ways to get information and create a like-minded community to support and encourage you. We here at LMS love to form relationships with our influencers and brands. We are here to help influencers find brands to partner with, give advice, and help however we can.
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