What is Influencer Recruitment?
Influencer recruiting is the process of identifying and selecting individuals who have a significant following on social media platforms and who are willing to collaborate with brands to promote their products or services.
Influencers are typically individuals who have established themselves as authorities in specific niches and have developed a loyal following of fans who look to them for inspiration, information, and entertainment.
Influencer recruiting is an essential component of influencer marketing, which is a powerful way for brands to reach new audiences, build brand awareness, and drive conversions. When done correctly, influencer marketing can be highly effective, providing businesses with a way to tap into the power of social media and leverage the trust and authority that influencers have built with their audiences.
Why is Influencer Recruiting Important?
Influencer recruiting is important for several reasons. First, influencers have established themselves as authorities in specific niches, making them highly influential when it comes to the purchasing decisions of their followers. By partnering with influencers, brands can tap into this influence and reach new audiences that they might not otherwise be able to reach.
Second, influencers have already built a loyal following of fans who trust and respect their opinions. This trust and respect can transfer to the brands that influencers choose to partner with, providing businesses with an opportunity to build brand awareness and trust with new audiences.
Finally, influencer recruiting is important because it allows businesses to create highly targeted and personalized marketing campaigns. By identifying influencers who have a following that aligns with their target audience, businesses can create campaigns that resonate with their target audience and drive conversions.
12 Influencer Recruitment Strategies:
1. Use Social Listening Tools.
Social listening tools like Mention, Brand24, and Hootsuite Insights can help you find influencers who are already talking about your brand or products on social media. You can engage with these influencers and build relationships with them by sharing their content, commenting on their posts, and sending personalized messages.
2. Host a Contest.
Host a contest on social media where influencers can win prizes by promoting your brand. This can be a fun and effective way to attract influencers who are interested in your products or services.
3. Leverage User-Generated Content.
Encourage your followers to create and share content featuring your products or services. You can then reach out to the creators of the most popular posts and offer them an opportunity to collaborate with your brand as an influencer.
4. Collaborate with Other Brands.
Partnering with other brands that share your target audience can help you reach new influencers and build your brand's reputation. You can co-host events or create joint campaigns that promote both brands and attract new influencers.
5. Attend Industry Events.
Attend industry events and conferences to network with influencers in your niche. You can also host your own events or sponsor events that attract influencers and offer them opportunities to promote your brand.
6. Use Influencer Marketing Platforms.
Influencer marketing platforms like Upfluence, AspireIQ, and Heepsy can help you find and connect with influencers who are a good fit for your brand. These platforms allow you to search for influencers based on specific criteria, such as location, engagement rate, and niche.
7. Offer Influencer Exclusives.
Offer influencers exclusive discounts or early access to new products or services in exchange for their promotion. This can be a powerful incentive for influencers to work with your brand and can help you build long-term relationships with them.
8. Create Custom Branded Content.
Collaborate with influencers to create custom branded content that showcases your products or services in a unique and engaging way. This can help you stand out from other brands and attract influencers who are looking for creative opportunities.
9. Work with an Influencer Agency.
Consider working with an influencer agency that specializes in influencer marketing. These agencies have established relationships with influencers and can help you find and negotiate with the right influencers for your brand.
10. Research Trending Influencers.
Use social media trends and analytics tools to identify influencers who are currently trending in your industry. These influencers may have a growing following and can help you reach new audiences and build brand awareness.
11. Search for Influencers Your Competitors are Working With.
Research your competitors' influencer marketing strategies and identify the influencers they are working with. These influencers may be a good fit for your brand as well, and you can use this information to develop your own influencer recruiting strategy.
12. Recruit Existing Customers.
Your existing customers can be a great source of influencers for your brand. These customers already know and love your products or services, making them authentic and passionate advocates for your brand.
How to Convince Influencers to Work With Your Brand?
Influencers are in high demand, and convincing them to work with your brand can be a challenge.
However, there are several strategies you can use to make your brand more attractive to influencers and increase your chances of a successful collaboration.
Here are some tips on how to convince influencers to work with your brand:
1. Offer Unique and Valuable Incentives.
Influencers are often motivated by incentives such as free products, exclusive access to events, and the opportunity to earn money through affiliate marketing or sponsored content. Make sure the incentives you offer are unique and valuable, and that they align with the influencer's interests and values.
2. Personalize Your Outreach.
Influencers receive countless outreach messages every day, so it's important to stand out by personalizing your message. Research the influencer's interests, values, and content to make sure your message is tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
3. Provide Clear Expectations.
Be clear about what you expect from the influencer in terms of content, frequency of posting, and overall campaign goals. Make sure the influencer understands the scope of the project and what they will receive in return for their participation.
4. Build a Relationship.
Building a relationship with the influencer before you pitch your idea can increase your chances of success. Follow the influencer on social media, engage with their content, and show a genuine interest in their work. This can help you build trust and establish a rapport with the influencer.
5. Be Transparent.
Be transparent about your brand, your marketing goals, and your expectations for the collaboration. Influencers value transparency and authenticity, so it's important to be honest and upfront about your intentions.
6. Collaborate on Content.
Collaborate with the influencer on the content they will be creating for your brand. Ask for their input and feedback, and give them creative freedom to develop content that aligns with their style and voice.
7. Offer Long-Term Opportunities.
Influencers prefer long-term partnerships that offer ongoing opportunities for collaboration. Consider offering influencers the opportunity to become brand ambassadors or join a loyalty program that rewards them for their ongoing support.
Popular Influencer Recruitment Channels.
There are several popular channels to recruit influencers, including but not limited to:
1. Instagram.
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms for influencer marketing. With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram offers a wide range of influencers in different niches and industries. You can search for influencers on Instagram using keywords, hashtags, or niche categories, and reach out to them through direct messages or email.
Examples:
- @huda (47.4 million followers), a beauty influencer who promotes her own makeup brand, Huda Beauty, as well as other beauty products on her Instagram page.
- @doyoutravel (2.8 million followers), a travel influencer who promotes travel destinations, hotels, and tourism-related products on his Instagram page.
- @jenniferrizzo (222K followers), a home decor and DIY influencer who promotes home goods and crafting products on her Instagram page.
- @awengchuol (233K followers), a fashion and lifestyle influencer who promotes fashion and beauty products on her Instagram page.
2. YouTube.
YouTube is another popular platform for influencer marketing, especially for video content. You can search for influencers on YouTube using keywords or niche categories, and reach out to them through email or social media.
Examples:
- Shane Dawson (22.1 million subscribers), an entertainment influencer who promotes a range of products including books, movies, and merchandise on his YouTube channel.
- Michelle Phan (8.95 million subscribers), a beauty influencer who promotes makeup, skincare, and beauty products on her YouTube channel.
- Casey Neistat (12.1 million subscribers), a filmmaker and influencer who promotes various products and services on his YouTube channel, including cameras, tech gadgets, and travel-related products.
- Rosanna Pansino (11.3 million subscribers), a baking and cooking influencer who promotes baking and cooking products on her YouTube channel.
3. TikTok.
TikTok is a relatively new platform for influencer marketing, but it has quickly become one of the most popular platforms for reaching younger audiences. You can search for influencers on TikTok using hashtags or niche categories, and reach out to them through direct messages or email.
Examples:
- Bella Poarch (75.7 million followers), a dance and music influencer who promotes fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products on her TikTok page.
- Spencer Polanco Knight (9.2 million followers), a comedy and entertainment influencer who promotes food, beverage, and lifestyle products on his TikTok page.
- Tabitha Brown (5.5 million followers), a vegan food and lifestyle influencer who promotes vegan food products and lifestyle services on her TikTok page.
- Josh Richards (24.7 million followers), a music and entertainment influencer who promotes music, entertainment, and lifestyle products on his TikTok page.
4. Podcasters.
Podcasters are becoming increasingly popular as influencers, especially in the audio and entertainment niches. You can search for podcasters on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and reach out to them through email or social media.
Examples:
- Joe Rogan (11.8 million subscribers), a comedian and host who interviews a range of guests on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, and promotes products and services during the podcast.
- Pat Flynn (181K subscribers), a business and entrepreneurship influencer who hosts the Smart Passive Income podcast and promotes his own courses and resources during the podcast.
- Jenna Kutcher (586K subscribers), a business and entrepreneurship influencer who hosts the Goal Digger podcast and promotes her own courses, events, and resources during the podcast.
- Tim Ferriss (1.7 million subscribers), a productivity and self-improvement influencer who hosts The Tim Ferriss Show and promotes his own books, courses, and coaching services during the podcast.
5. Newsletters.
Newsletters are another channel for recruiting influencers, especially for businesses targeting niche audiences. You can search for newsletters in your niche using platforms like Substack and reach out to the authors for potential collaborations.
Examples:
- Ben Thompson (140K subscribers), a technology and business influencer who writes a daily newsletter called Stratechery and promotes his own analysis and consulting services in the newsletter.
- Ann Handley (48.7K subscribers), a marketing and content influencer who writes a weekly newsletter called Total Annarchy and promotes her own books, courses, and speaking engagements in the newsletter.
- Rachel Hollis (1.7 million subscribers), a motivational and lifestyle influencer who writes a daily newsletter called Your Morning Wake Up and promotes her own courses, events, and merchandise in the newsletter.
- James Clear (nearly 1 million subscribers), a productivity and habit-building influencer who writes a weekly newsletter called 3-2-1 Thursday and promotes his own books and courses in the newsletter.
6. Twitter.
Twitter is a popular platform for influencer marketing, especially for businesses targeting tech-savvy and younger audiences. With over 330 million monthly active users, Twitter offers a wide range of influencers in different niches and industries.
Examples:
- Gary Vaynerchuk (2.2 million followers), a business and marketing influencer who promotes his own books, events, and content on his Twitter account.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson (14.9 million followers), an astrophysicist and science communicator who promotes science-related content and products on his Twitter account.
7. Twitch.
Twitch is a popular platform for influencer marketing, especially for businesses targeting gamers and the gaming industry. With over 140 million monthly active users, Twitch offers a wide range of influencers in the gaming, esports, and entertainment niches.
Examples:
- PewDiePie (1.3 million followers), a gaming and entertainment influencer who streams games and promotes his own merchandise on his Twitch channel.
- Pokimane (9.3 million followers), a gaming and entertainment influencer who streams games and promotes sponsored content and merchandise on her Twitch channel.
- Valkyrae (1.1 million followers), a gaming and entertainment influencer who streams games and promotes sponsored content and merchandise on her Twitch channel.
8. Facebook.
Facebook is still a popular platform for influencer marketing, especially for businesses targeting older audiences. With over 2.7 billion monthly active users, Facebook offers a wide range of influencers in different niches and industries.
Examples:
- Dude Perfect (56 million followers), a sports and entertainment influencer who promotes sports equipment, merchandise, and sponsored content on their Facebook page.
- Humans of New York (18.9 million followers), a storytelling and photojournalism influencer who promotes books, fundraising campaigns, and merchandise on their Facebook page.
Wrapping up Influencer Recruitment Strategies.
Influencer marketing is a powerful strategy that can help businesses reach new audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. With the right influencer recruitment strategy, you can find the perfect influencers for your brand and create effective campaigns that resonate with your target audience.
By leveraging social media platforms, influencer agencies, referrals, and industry events, you can build relationships with influencers and create campaigns that drive real results. Whether you're working with micro-influencers or macro-influencers, it's important to focus on building authentic relationships, creating compelling content, and delivering value to your target audience.
With these tips and strategies in mind, you can succeed in influencer marketing and take your business to the next level.
