Social media is a powerful tool for businesses to reach their target audience and promote their products or services. One of the most effective ways to leverage social media is through influencer marketing. However, finding the right influencers and creators can be a daunting task, especially for businesses in Northern Ireland. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and strategies for finding influencers and creators for your next social media campaign.
Clarify your goals and objectives
Setting out on this journey without a clear destination in mind is akin to sailing in choppy waters without a compass. What are you aiming to achieve with your social media campaign? Are you keen on ramping up brand awareness, driving sales, or launching a new product? Getting a firm grasp on your goals allows you to zoom in on the influencers and creators who can help you hit your target.
Find your niche
Having established your goals, the next port of call is identifying niches for your social media campaign. Think about what industry you are in, what kind of content is trending? what social media platforms should you be active on… and finally always take a look at competitiors – they will give you plenty of inspiration!
Use social media platforms
Social media platforms are a treasure trove for finding influencers and creators who resonate with your brand ethos. Utilise relevant hashtags or keywords, and sift through the profiles of users championing these topics. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have a brilliant search function to help you discover relevant influencers and creators within specific niches. We would also recommend conducting some hashtag research to help you discover hashtags within your relevant niche. For example, if you are a brand here in Northern Ireland, and you are looking to find some local influencers – take a look at #niblog #niblogger or #northernirelandblog for example.
Leverage influencer marketing platforms
Beyond social media, influencer marketing platforms can be a goldmine for finding the right influencers and creators. With these platforms, you can search based on various criteria such as location, niche, and engagement rates, manage your influencer relationships, and keep a finger on the pulse of your campaigns. Research some local influencer marketing agencies and take a look at the creators they follow (this may take some time… but you will find some hidden gems!)
Networking events
Industry events are a great way to connect with influencers and creators within your niche. These events offer networking opportunities, and insights into the latest trends and best practices in your industry.
Take a look at influencer metrics/stats
Once potential influencers and creators are on your radar, put their metrics under the microscope to ensure they’re a match made in heaven for your brand. Keep an eye on engagement rates, audience demographics, and content quality. Top tip is to take a look at Instagram engagement rate calculators like Planx – this is a fantastic tool to help you discover engagement rates for content creators and the average engagement they receive with each post.
Develop a relationship with relevant influencers
It’s time to extend an olive branch. Reach out directly via their social media profiles or use an influencer marketing platform to manage your relationships. Remember, personalisation is key. Be clear about your offer and why you believe they’re a brilliant fit for your brand.
Reach out to the influencer you want to collaborate with
Having made contact and agreed on the partnership terms, it’s time to collaborate with the influencer or creator to create content that champions your brand. Make sure to provide a clear brief but allow creative freedom within those boundaries.
Assess Your Campaign’s Success
Measuring the success of your influencer marketing campaign is paramount for understanding the ROI of your endeavours. Make use of tools such as Google Analytics for tracking website traffic and sales, and social media analytics for measuring engagement rates and reach.
Nurture Relationships with Influencers
Cultivating relationships with influencers and creators is the cornerstone of forging long-term partnerships. Keep the communication lines open to stay abreast of their content and potential future collaborations.
In conclusion, while finding the right influencers and creators for your social media campaign may seem daunting, with the right strategies and tools – you can identify the perfect partners to champion your brand. Remember, success in this arena hinges on defining your campaign goals, identifying relevant niches, leveraging social media and influencer marketing platforms, attending industry events, analysing influencer metrics, reaching out to influencers, establishing a partnership, measuring campaign success, and maintaining relationships with influencers. With the right influencers and creators at your side, your social media campaign can hit a home run, delivering a significant return on investment for your business.
