Top Influencer Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business

On a chilly Saturday night, you are scrolling through Instagram and you see your crush, Kim Kardashian, proudly showing off her latest Balenciaga dress. (We know you have not told anyone else about your crush on her, but do not worry, your secret is safe with us.)

Then you saw a notification of a video posted by your favourite football star, Christiano Ronaldo. You opened the video and saw him drinking from a glass of blended herbs from Herbalife Nutrition, giving it a “thumbs up”.

At that point, you find yourself asking: “What is the relationship between these superstars and the products they’re promoting?”

Does this scenario sound familiar?

If you said yes, then, you have witnessed the beauty of influencer marketing.

So, what exactly is influencer marketing? What are influencer marketing strategies? We know these are the questions on your mind (Our mind reading game is a 10/10 right?) Calm down, we’ll explain everything to you.

What is Influencer Marketing?

Influencer marketing is the practice of working together with social media influencers to promote your brand, product, or service. 

It is one of the most effective marketing strategies for businesses. Why?

People trust other people more than they trust brands, and that’s why influencers matter. They bridge the gap between businesses and their target audience.

These top influencers have loyal followers on social media, and they can help you reach a wider audience and increase your brand awareness.

You understand that now, right?

Advantages of Influencer Marketing over Traditional Advertising

Compared to more traditional advertising using social media and traditional TV advertising, influencer marketing strategies are more efficient in reaching a target audience. 

This is because top influencers have a dedicated follower base who value their opinions and recommendations. This leads to an increase in consumer engagement and sales.

Traditional adverts, on the other hand, may struggle to capture audience attention due to competing product adverts and content.

Top 9 Influencer Marketing Strategies for Business Growth

The use of influencer marketing strategies can result in a successful sales campaign. To boost sales and increase your brand awareness, consider using the following influencer marketing strategies:

1. Engage in strong engagement using Micro and Nano influencers

While micro and nano influencers have smaller audiences, they are very active. The closer bonds they share with their followers increase trust and improve sales. They offer a cost-effective approach to working with them, which often results in measurable returns.

Discover a set of niche leaders who are compatible with your brand and product. They tend to be more likely to have a high level of interest and readiness for buying.

If you’re a small business owner who wants to explore influencer marketing strategies, check out this article on how small businesses can leverage influencer marketing strategies during the holidays.

2. Use Affiliate Marketing to boost Direct Sales opportunities

Establish an affiliate system where influencers earn a percentage of each sale through referral links. This will encourage influencers to promote your product more effectively, as they will reap the benefits of each sale.

Provide influencers with affiliate links that are easily traceable and give them attractive commission rates to promote your products.

3. Offer Exclusive Discount Codes

Provide influencers with unique discount codes to share with their audience. These codes not only drive urgency and encourage purchases but also allow you to track how much revenue each influencer generates.

4. Run Giveaways and Contests

The use of giveaways and contests can significantly increase engagement and reach. Such events are organized by top influencers who motivate their followers to engage in content sharing, tag friends, etc. This promotes brand awareness and potential sales.

Incorporate the giveaway into a purchase incentive, like providing all participants with 5% off for one day.

5. Partner for Product Launches

Influencers can create awareness for new product launches by sharing early access or sneak peeks with their followers. 

How does this work? 

Their enthusiasm for your product can generate excitement and solidify initial sales.

Send an early sample of the product to influencers so they can authenticate it. Offer early-bird discounts to first-time buyers.

6. Collaborate with Youtube Podcast Influencers

One of the most popular influencer marketing strategies is partnering with podcast hosts on YouTube, which involves a natural and informal conversation.

With millions of people trusting their favorite hosts’ recommendations, YouTube podcasts have proven to be an effective tool in influencer marketing strategies. 

Personal stories are a great way to build brand recognition and give listeners the pause to reflect on the work your product does, making this strategy more authentic.

This Influencer marketing strategy has the potential to increase both engagement and direct sales. 

7. Create Shoppable Content

Encourage influencers to incorporate shoppable tags or links into their content.

Platforms like Instagram,TikTok, and YouTube make it easier for customers to buy directly from the post, reducing barriers to purchase.

Partner with influencers to create product demonstration videos or styling tips with direct shoppable links for easy sales conversion.

8. Host Live Shopping Events

Live shopping events allow influencers to showcase your products in real time.

Followers can ask questions, see live product demos, and make purchases instantly, making the experience both interactive and engaging.

Collaborate with top influencers with the best live-streaming experience and offer exclusive discounts to viewers during the event to drive immediate sales.

9. Focus on Long-Term Collaborations

Rather than just making small changes to your promotion, form lasting connections with influencers.

Consistent endorsements create trust with their audience and make your product a regular part of their content, which leads to better sales over time.