Hey there, marketers! 👋

Are you interested in exploring influencer partnerships to boost your marketing strategy? Influencer marketing has become an essential part of the marketing mix, and for good reason - it’s effective, authentic, and can help expand your audience reach. However, partnering with influencers requires a certain level of effort and responsibility to ensure you’re not wasting your time and resources. Here are some dos and don’ts that will help you create successful influencer marketing campaigns.

Do your research

Before entering into any agreements, it is crucial to research the potential influencers you’re considering partnering with. You want to ensure they align with your brand values and target audience. Check their engagement rate, previous partnerships, content quality, and audience demographics to evaluate their potential effectiveness. Make sure the influencer has a legitimate following, as fake followers can reflect poorly on your brand.

An image of someone on a laptop researching influencer profiles

Do be transparent

Be upfront and transparent with your influencers about what your expectations are, what they’re getting in return, and any guidelines or requirements they need to follow. It’s better to over-communicate than leave any room for confusion or misunderstanding.

Don’t be too controlling

While it is important to set expectations, you don’t want to micromanage and control every aspect of the influencer’s content. Part of what makes influencer content effective is that it’s authentic and genuine. Allow the influencer to maintain their unique voice and style while incorporating your brand values.

An image of a marketer handing over creative freedom to the influencer

Do build meaningful relationships

Pursue long-term relationships with influencers who align with your brand values. Genuine relationships with influencers can lead to more authentic content, better engagement, and exposure to new audiences. By building a strong relationship, you will establish trust with the influencer, which can benefit your marketing efforts in the long run.

Don’t neglect micro-influencers

While the big names in the industry may seem appealing, micro-influencers can have a more significant impact on your marketing efforts. Micro-influencers often have a higher engagement rate and content that feels more authentic and personal. Moreover, they are typically more affordable, which means you can form partnerships with multiple influencers that will ultimately broaden your audience reach.

An image of a marketer reaching out to a micro-influencer with a smaller but highly engaged following

Do have a clear strategy

As with any other marketing effort, creating a clear and actionable strategy for your influencer marketing campaigns is essential. Identify your target audience, set clear goals, track relevant metrics, and establish a budget. By having a clear strategy in place, you can effectively measure the success of your campaign and make changes moving forward.

It’s essential to adhere to legal procedures when running influencer marketing campaigns. Ensure that your agreements with influencers, including product exchanges, are documented in writing, and that they disclose the sponsored relationship with their audience. Failing to do so could result in legal and reputational repercussions.

An image of a marketer consulting with a legal adviser to ensure compliance

The Takeaway

Follow these dos and don’ts to create a successful influencer partnership. Remember to do your research, be transparent and build meaningful relationships. Don’t be too controlling and don’t neglect micro-influencers. Have a clear strategy and abide by legal responsibilities. Stay true to your brand values and let influencers’ creativity shine.

👨‍💼 Happy influencing! 👩‍💼

An image of a happy marketer celebrating a successful influencer marketing campaign