Influencer marketing revolutionized having your message in your target group’s face. But don’t forget—giving over dollars to a big-name follower isn’t that easy. I’ve represented companies, small companies, and even individual entrepreneurs wishing to enter the marketplace of influencers, and one lesson I’ve learned: authenticity trumps everything else. If you’re looking for Influencer Marketing Tips that actually work, the key is to focus on genuine connections rather than just numbers.
I helped a small skincare company work with a high-profile beauty blogger at one point in time. On paper, ideal: huge following, high engagement, etc., etc. But the campaign flopped. Why? Because her followers simply did not care about skincare; tuned in for makeovers. Lesson: pay attention!
How to Get Started with Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is about leveraging one’s trust to speak to your ideal peeps. And no, larger isn’t necessarily best. If you’re searching for Influencer Marketing Tips, the first step is to understand that different types of influencers bring different value.
- Nano-influencers (1K-10K followers): Very specific, but trust them totally.
- Micro-influencers (10K-100K followers): Often have best engagement.
- Macro-influencers (100K-1M followers): Greater reach, but sometimes less relation.
- Mega-influencers (1M+ followers): For awareness, not necessarily for conversions.
A brand I represented at one point disregarded my guidance and opted for a macro over a micro.
Engagement? Horrendous. Meanwhile, a micro-influencer I then trialed generated many, many more sales.
Setting Clearer Goals and Target Audience
Before even thinking about working with an influencer, sort out your objectives. Influencer Marketing Tips aren’t just about finding an influencer but ensuring they align with your goals.
✔ Greater awareness for your brand?
✔ Greater sales?
✔ Greater engagement?
My one student did a campaign and failed to make any objectives explicit. She gave over dollars, gained a thousand likes, but when I asked, “How many sales did it generate?” I heard. zero.
How to Choose an Appropriate Influencer
The right influencer isn’t about follower count alone. What actually works:
✔ Engagement rate – Do your followers actually save and comment?
✔ Audience match – Do your followers actually represent your target?
✔ Authenticity – Do they actually use and enjoy goods endorsed?
I recently contacted an influencer for a collab, only to find out that half of their followers actually consisted of bots. Check for engagement first, no matter what!
Building Long-term Relationships with Influencers
Influencer marketing works when it’s not a transaction in a vacuum.
- Be real. Nobody wants a cold, cookie-cutter message.
- Provide them with freedom of expression. Influencers know best about their followers.
- Think long-term. One-off posts don’t build long-term relationships.
A small coffeehouse I partnered with crafted an amazing collaboration with a food blogger through offering free coffee for life in exchange for a one-time payment. Bet? That influencer ranted about coffee for years!
Crafting Engaging and Realistic Campaigns
The hard sell doesn’t work any longer. Instead:
- Make influencers narrate a story, not simply feature.
- Keep campaign real—forced ads don’t work.
- Make it transparent about being sponsored (yes, Instagram policies apply).
Measuring for Success
If you’re not tracking your growth, then your campaign is a costly exercise in futility. Look for:
- Engagement rate – Do your followers actually save and comment?
- Traffic & sales – Do your followers actually make a purchase?
- Brand sentiment – Do your followers have positive feedback?
Someone I know recently sponsored an influencer campaign and considered it a colossal success with “high engagement.” But when checking actual sales statistics—it failed dismally!
Optimizing Your Budget for Involvement with an Influencer
Influencer payments vary enormously. What sets pricing?
- Flat fees – For posts, in full.
- Affiliate commissions – For them, for sales.
- Product gifting – Giving freebies for posts (effective for micro-influencers).
A long time ago, a brand I mentored overpaid a macro-influencer, and ROI sucked. Next, they partnered with five micro-influencers for the same budget, and it performed much, much better.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Influencer Marketing
1. Choosing influencers only based on follower count.
2. Ignoring audience engagement.
3. Expecting immediate ROI.
4. Over-managing the influencer too much.
I once had a student request an influencer to reword their entire caption to sound “like an ad.” Engagement crashed, and it sounded insincere. Influencers know speaking to followers—just let them speak for themselves.
Instagram DM Limits and How That Affected Influence Outreach
One fact brands don’t care about? Instagram’s DM restrictions. You should learn about what are Instagram DM limits from here!
- Can’t send out an infinite DMs—Instagram puts a lid on it.
- Same message to many? Spam.
- For new accounts, stricter restrictions.
If emailing influencers, pace your messages out. One brand I partnered with one time received a temp ban for sending out too many DMs in one session. Don’t become a repeat offender!
FAQ About Influencer Marketing
What platform works best for influencer marketing?
For most brands, Instagram and TikTok work best, but LinkedIn works for B2B.
How much budget will I need for a collaboration with an influencer?
Varies! Micro-influencers can fit your budget, and celebrities run a pretty pretty price tag!
How can small companies use influencer marketing?
By partnering with smaller, niche influencers, you have a chance at high engagement at a relatively low price tag.
