The Key Steps To Finding The Best Influencers For Your Brand
Picking the right influencers can be a challenging job. They have to be trustworthy, reputable and have the right audience fit for your brand. We have put together six steps you can follow to pick the best influencer for your brand.
Step #1: Research
Before you start looking for someone, it is essential to know what you are looking for. Do your research and figure out exactly who it is that you need to find. There can be many influencers in any given field. Hence, it's important not to run around searching aimlessly but instead target the influencers who align with your brand values and stand out from the rest of the competitors in their industry.
Step #2: Outreach
Once you have found the list of influencers, it is time to start reaching out to them. The idea is to find out if they accept pitches/work from brands and accommodate your requests. If they are open to working with brands, send a customized email detailing your pitch and the type of work you want them to do for you. Most influencers will have a link on their website with submission guidelines, so make sure to read those thoroughly before sending over your pitch.
Step #3: Build A Relationship
Once you have researched and found the people who align with your brand, it is now time to create a relationship. You can do this by reaching out and engaging them through social media channels such as Twitter and email. Find out what sort of posts they publish on their social channels and how often they post about your industry. The relationship shouldn't always be for business purposes, but it should build a trust-based brand partnership.
Step #4: Engage With Their Audience
Go through everything that you love or hate about their social media presence and try to figure out what you can use to your advantage for your benefit. For example, if the influencer is good at graphic designing, try to use some of their graphics for your brand. If they have a funny way of engaging with their community, see if you can incorporate that into your own social media channels. Get a feel of what works and doesn't work for them, and then apply it to your account engagement.
Step #5: Make It Worth Their While
The next step is to make it worth everyone's while, including yours. The influencer should be getting something out of the deal too. Figure out your budget and accordingly determine what you can give in return for the influencers’ efforts. Be mindful that they are not just doing it for free, and you should always compensate them for their posts. If you cannot afford monetary compensation, you could try giving them free product samples or Coupon Codes for their followers.
Step #6: Measure Results
Lastly, make sure to measure results and see whether they are worth your while or not. It might take a little time before you can analyze the return on investment from this influencer marketing tactic, but the sooner you start measuring it – the better it will be for you.
By following these five steps, you'll be able to find the best influencers that can fit your brand. The relationship should not be one-sided, and it should include long-term benefits for both parties involved.
