What Is An Influencer?

No matter what industry you hail from, it’s likely that you’ve heard the term influencer. With the rise of social media platforms, influencers have become an increasingly sought-after asset for marketers in virtually every corner of the business world. But what exactly is an influencer? What makes them so powerful and valuable to brands? Influencers focus on a certain niche and use their platforms to relate to others and share their interests. While there are many kinds of influencers, most creators on social media partner with brands to showcase their products and grab the attention of their target audiences. 

Brand influencers are creators who partner with a business to bring a fresh face to the brand and represent their products in a way that will be received well by their target audiences. Influencers take the creative reins and produce brand-related marketing content that catches the eye of consumers. Follow along as we share how Influencers play a key role in many brands’ marketing strategies. 

Examples of brand influencers

Creators use their platforms to showcase businesses and products they love, accumulating followers along the way. Check out these popular influencers on social media using their creativity to represent brands.

Top examples of brand influencers

If you are an active TikTok user, you know and love the platform’s “It” girl, Alix Earle. The college student has caught the attention of many users and popular makeup brands as she shares her makeup routines and most-liked products. Alix is an example of an influencer with a large following that often showcases products and sets the season’s trends. Partnering and collaborating with major brands like Tarte, Rare Beauty, Forever 21, Function of Beauty and Princess Polly, Alix has promoted tons of products on her platforms that have often altered the way her followers dress and live. Check out this example of a well-known influencer partnering with a brand and helping them gain business as well as traffic and awareness. 

Major brands often team up with influencers to show their products in a way that is relatable to consumers. A popular example of this involves the company Maybelline. Over the years, Maybelline has worked with celebrities and influencers to show its products through tutorials. The beauty brand has partnered with influencers like Nikkie de Jager. 

How to start working with brands

If you are a brand looking to find the perfect influencer for your campaign, take these steps to start the process. 

1. Brainstorm what you want from an influencer

Before starting a collab with influencers, it is important to decide why you want to work with a digital creator and influencer. Figure out the audience you want to reach, the campaign’s KPIs, and the budget. Whatever it may be, it is important to start with a purpose. 

2. Find the right fit for your brand

While choosing the right influencer to represent your brand can be a tricky process, it is important to find a creator that shares the same interests and values. Influencers with the same mindset who are genuine supporters of your brand can give a more authentic review of your services and products.

3. Use The Creator Marketplace to your advantage

One of the best resources available to you as a brand is The Creator Marketplace on our homepage. Sift through thousands of influencer profiles of each creator’s interests and bios. You can also create a Casting Call to let influencers pitch themselves for your project.

4. Hire the influencer and start the campaign

After finding an influencer and discussing the campaign details, it is time to hire the influencer and officially launch your campaign. Hire an influencer directly in the Marketplace and we can help if any issues arise. Remember that allowing influencers to take the creative reins yields more authentic content that resonates with your target audience.