{"id":12168,"date":"2017-05-18T07:26:15","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T07:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rivaliq.com\/?p=12168"},"modified":"2017-05-19T17:20:03","modified_gmt":"2017-05-19T17:20:03","slug":"5-tips-to-kick-off-your-influencer-marketing-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rivaliq.com\/blog\/5-tips-to-kick-off-your-influencer-marketing-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips to Kick Off your Influencer Marketing Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shifting public opinion of your brand isn’t easy, but with the right influencer marketing strategy, you can get started off on the right foot.<\/p>\n

Every day, reviews about products and services come pouring in across the web. Depending on the content, user accounts of your brand can either help or hurt the company. Worst of all, differing opinions found on results pages are more confusing than anything else for readers. When multiple reviews contradict one other, users begin to question who they should trust.<\/p>\n

For today\u2019s marketers, forming relationships with online influencers is one approach to help influence public opinion. By working directly with your brand, bloggers and personalities can share messages about your products and services through a social media megaphone, broadcasting to followers who will listen. By following these initial steps to propose partnership opportunities, you can steadily shift public opinion of your brand.<\/p>\n

Step 1: Earn it<\/h2>\n

\"Foot<\/p>\n

If the right person recommends your brand, you will immediately see the results. You may experience copious reviews from consumers and media, or a boost in traffic to your website, an increase in social media followers, possibly even a bump in sales. Before asking someone to do this, you must demonstrate that working with your brand is worth the time.<\/p>\n

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  1. Put your best foot forward.<\/strong> Now is the time to make sure your social media profiles and website are scrubbed and updated, reflecting the right messaging and calls to action you want new users to see. At this point, you should be regularly sharing dynamic and compelling content, thoughtfully engaging with your audience, and leveraging social media advertising to acquire as many followers as possible.<\/li>\n
  2. Business before marketing.<\/strong> Before promoting your product or service, be entirely sure that you\u2019re operating at your highest level. Work out any bugs in your system, address customer service concerns, and continue to deliver your very best. Remember: you should always encourage that people write about your brand honestly. Honesty in reviews and recommendations is a value that applies whether or not you\u2019re providing compensation to your influencers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Step 2: Make an outreach list<\/h2>\n

    \"Make<\/p>\n

    Online influencers do not necessarily have to make top lists<\/a> to influence the right people. Microinfluencers, or users with roughly 100K followers, may be more willing to build a relationship with you as they\u2019re growing their own brand. These influencers are also looking for a mutually beneficial relationship so keep microinfluencers in mind when you’re creating your target list. Also, consider looking in the following places:<\/p>\n