You need new and inventive ways to connect with your current and potential customers. Social networks are currently a very powerful tool to reach the masses. A widely used method is through influencer advertising. If you think it won’t work, just look at the thousands of companies that are having success with it. All organizations and businesses are now connected through social networks.
Having owned physical therapy clinics in the past, I wish I had known about social media marketing strategies like I do now. Looking back at what was achieved with conventional marketing, (Advertising in local newspapers, radio, food for doctors, distribution of flyers and business cards, etc.) I would have better grown my private practice with this powerful tool. Owning a business opened my mind to self-sufficiency and always looking for better ways to position myself toward my lifestyle goals.
WHAT IS INFLUENCER MARKETING?
The best advertising method of all time is word of mouth. It costs nothing for someone to tell someone else about your products or services. Another advantage of word of mouth marketing is that it keeps you on your toes. You must ensure customer satisfaction for them to recommend your company to others. Influencer marketing goes along the lines of a friend telling a friend about an experience with a product or service.
First, you start by identifying strategic personas within your target market. These people will influence others. The idea isn’t pretentious: instead of Taco Bell telling you how awesome their new Taco is, a stellar review from a famous food critic can do more. The food critic is the influencer. In this hypothetical scenario, Taco Bell uses them to generate influencer marketing.
HOW TO EXECUTE INFLUENCER ADVERTISING BEAUTIFULLY
An example of influencer marketing is a company called Fab Fit Fun. This company sends monthly box subscriptions to those who love their products. Now, you never know what’s in these boxes. It can be anything from a scarf to a blanket, and even some makeup and perfume. Many people are wary of monthly subscriptions that are charged directly to their monthly credit cards. These boxes ship automatically whether you like it or not. So how does this company overcome this hurdle? Well, they get celebrities like Rhianna and Tori Spelling to do influencer advertising for them. A simple video of Tori Spelling opening her subscription box, enthusiastically reviewing each article, and then sharing it on her social network made this subscription system a success.
Another company came up with an idea. The cosmetics company Younique came up with a product, a mascara that dramatically enhanced the eyes. Now, there are more companies that have the same product. How did they step up their game? Their Moodstruck 3-D Fiber Lashes look great on just about anyone.
To prove their point, they gave away free tubes of mascara to the general public. All these recipients had to do was post a video of themselves on social media wearing the mascara. What happened next was history. The company had so many orders that they were back six weeks. All women wanted to increase the volume of their eyelashes. By showing how well this mascara works, the company created a hype. The demand was overwhelming.
Now, I’ve become quite the girl here. Mascara and Fab Fit Fun. However, these are just a few of the many creative ways that companies conjure up to move their product in the marketplace. What made your strategy work?
I was providing VALUE. Providing more value than the other companies and being mentioned on social media gave them an edge over their competitors.
THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA
We have heard of ordinary people posting simple funny videos on YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram that go viral simply by being shared multiple times on all social media. This just proves that people are watching. They are hanging out on social media. They see products, events and share them in their social media circles. This is very powerful.
It’s no wonder that for the last few years, big online retailers like Amazon, Wayfair and the rest have used social media advertising. Even traditional businesses like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, have gone online to expand their market. It is sad to see that it is also because of this age of online advertising that many companies have to close their doors. The competition has become furious. Those who do not step forward lose. The most recent closure, as you may have heard, is Hhgregg.
FIND A KEY PLAYER
What if you can be the influencer in your online business? Yes, you can be the key player in this success. Yes, it is more than possible. This is how many online entrepreneurs have positioned themselves as experts, coaches, and founders of online business systems that have created wealth for themselves and others they have mentored.
How many times do you see “sponsored” ads for webinars, free ebooks, free courses, free videos, or free white papers appear on your Facebook page? This is the power of social media at work.
The new era is here. An average entrepreneur can leverage their advertising budget by effectively using social media to their advantage. This is because customers hang out on social media. This is a very effective way to reach potential customers and present your product or services.
Also, if your ad also has added value, the customer response is overwhelming. It goes above and beyond what everyone else offers. This has been proven many times over by local businesses offering products and services. A free teeth cleaning coupon from a dentist can end up in 4-5k sales on braces or other dental services because of the one free offer.
Online trainers and online business experts who offer free webinars have been known to earn thousands of dollars from memberships or purchases made by participants in a single webinar. I’m sure I’ve been to a few of them, and even though I had never initially purchased a product or system, it opened my eyes to the possibilities. There are ways to earn income online and work your way towards passive and residual income.
Whether your goal is to generate additional income to supplement your current one or turn it into a full-time occupation, there are plenty of systems and programs you can get started with online. Many have immersed themselves in online business full time and never looked back.
The key is to find your niche, find what feels right and right for you. Explore your passion, your talents and your goals. Then act accordingly. That first step is always the hardest.
The most successful online entrepreneurs don’t just “get involved” in their business; they also “live” it.
After all, it is up to us to explore all the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities that come our way. With the beginning of the evolution of social media marketing, the future of digital marketing is here.
