An influencer is a person who encourages, motivates, or influences someone else to do something.
This is just the literal meaning of the term "Influencer" because, in practicality, an influencer is more than just the sum of those words mentioned above.
What is influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing is a type of social media marketing in which a brand collaborates with an influencer to promote its products or services to a larger audience. For promoting a brand’s products, influencers take a pre-negotiated commission on every sale a brand makes. Celebrity endorsements are one of the most original forms of influencer marketing. From traditional Instagram posts and ever-popular stories to long, interactive videos, influencers find new and innovative ways to be sponsored on popular social media channels.
Influencers hold a position of authority with their audience that enables them to influence their buying decisions. They are the opinion leaders and trustworthy sources of information for their social media following. Brands use this position of power to improve their brand recognition, increase website traffic, and boost sales.
Influencer marketing has become a surefire way for a brand to expand its reach on social media and for influencers to become a part of huge marketing campaigns through branded sponsorships.
How does influencer marketing work?
There are several benefits of using influencer marketing for brands, including
- Improved brand recognition: When influencers share a brand’s story, values, mission, and messaging with their niche audience, they automatically expand its outreach, image, and positioning online
- Enhanced brand credibility and trust: Social media influencers are experts in their field; that’s why their followers trust them. They have considerable influence on their audience, who believe in their opinions and suggestions. Any brand recommendation from influencers makes their audience more open to that brand, rather than just viewing them as some sort of paid advertisement.
- Better purchase decisions: Influencers are opinion leaders and have their fingers on a highly-engaged and loyal audience. According to a study, 6 out of 10 YouTubers make their purchase decisions based on their favorite content creator's recommendations.