How to Attract Influencers to Your Business
Influencers are people in your industry who have the ability to sway, or influence, your audience. If they say, “buy this product, it’s really great,” –their followers are going to take a look at the product, at the very least. Many of them will purchase the product. Welcome to the power of influence.
Social media influencers have a strong voice, a following (not always as large as you think), and credibility and/or authority in their niche. Their followers believe what they say to be true – which is why they have influence. These people are very likeable, with a strong personal brand.
As a company, you can reach a wider audience, grow your sales, and increase your own following if you are able to connect with influencers.
Yes, you can reach out to them, once you’ve identified who they are, and you can make a pitch. However, it’s often more effective, both in the long and short term, to take steps to attract influencers to you. That way, when you do connect, your pitch will be more interesting and valuable to them. So how do you attract influencers?
Be Yourself
It’s vital that you are 100% authentic to who you are and what you’re about. Develop a strong brand and communicate that brand in all your messages; social media, email, blog posts, etc.… When you are authentic and able to communicate that to your audience through your content, it connects with readers. They talk about you. They share. They engage. As you begin to connect with influencers on social media, that authenticity will come across. It’ll be supported when the influencer visits your blog or web page, and you’ll be on your way to developing a strong professional relationship.
Engage and Publish
Content is the foundation of the internet. In order to be noticed, you must be publishing content. Content is anything from a 140-character tweet to a full-length movie or e-course. It’s what you publish online. To attract anyone, including influencers, you must be active online and that means engaging with influencers and your audience, as well as publishing, and sharing, content. However, the caveat to this is that everything you say online can be used against you. Make sure that you are representing yourself well. Publish and share content that offers value and that is authentic to who you are as a company, a person, and a brand.
Make It Worth Their While
Finally, as you’re engaging with influencers online, make it worth their while. It’s about them, not about you. Send them valuable links and information. Offer insight when you have it. Become someone they turn to for advice or entertainment or information – whatever fits your niche and brand goals.
Attracting influencers to your business isn’t difficult. However, it does require you to know who you are and what you want. And then you must be willing to go out and do the work necessary to get the job done. Be yourself. Be your best. Pay attention to what other people, and influencers, want and need from you.
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