While the terms that seasoned influencers use when talking about their jobs may be second nature to them, not everyone is privy to what each of those terms mean, including new influencers. Understanding what these words mean can help you with future partnerships. From engagement to GRWM to sponsored content, we’re here to decode the influencer language for you one word at a time. Here are the definitions of common words influencers use.
Influencer language explained: Common words influencers use
Here are 15 of the most popular words influencers use and their definitions.
Brand partnerships
Maybe you’ve heard influencers talking about brand partnerships or sponsored content. It’s a way for brands to work with influencers to promote their product authentically. Brands can leverage the audience that influencers already have, while influencers can share something they love and make money.
Brand partnerships are almost always paid and should be denoted on any content online, from YouTube videos to Instagram posts. You may hear an influencer thank a brand for sponsoring a story or include the “Paid Partnership” tag in an Instagram post. Other ways to disclose a partnership include using AD, sponsored or partner.
(@misskren)Content creation
Influencers constantly talk about content creation, meaning the photos, videos and sponsored content you see on their platforms. Creating content is the base of what all influencers do online.
Analytics
Analytics are the numbers behind content creation. Once you are working with brands, you’ll need to be tracking analytics to include in your brand pitches or help you negotiate deals. Plus, analytics will help you understand what your audience is engaging with the most. Some of the most popular analytics to track are engagement (comments, shares, likes), reach, impressions and conversions.
Engagement
Engagement is a word that many brands and influencers talk about, but what does that mean? It’s a way for influencers to measure the success of a campaign with a brand or understand what their audience does and doesn’t like. Engagement can be tracked as comments, likes, dislikes, shares and direct messages on social media. The more engagement you get on your content, the more it shows that your audience is paying attention to it.
Reach
Reach is an analytic that most influencers and brands track that is measured by the number of unique viewers who saw your content. Brands can use a platform like IZEA’s Flex to track this; otherwise, influencers can share the insights viewable on their social media platforms.
Viral
Viral means that the content shared spreads quickly. Viral content is often a picture or a video on any social media platform that gets a lot of attention, but sometimes viral content makes it into traditional media like TV news. The virality of a post is almost always something different or unique that catches the attention of many. Viral posts can take on a life of its own and bring tons of new attention to your content, but they can’t always be predicted or replicated.
Media kit
A media kit is an online portfolio for an influencer that includes their previous work, pricing and information like audience size and demographics. It’s a way to show brands who you are and how to work with you at a glance.
Pitch
A pitch is a proposal to brands to work with them on sponsored content. You could do this via email or direct message on social media. The best way to pitch to brands is in a succinct way that shows them exactly why they should work with you, what your ideas are and what their investment would be.
GRWM
GRWM is an acronym for “Get Ready With Me,” a typical post many lifestyle, fashion and makeup influencers have used on social media for years. On TikTok, YouTube or Instagram Reels, GRWM videos are common.
Organic
Non-sponsored content is organic or content that already fits into your current content. This is content you create on your own without being asked by brands. For marketers, organic is a term that could also mean sponsored content not promoted with paid media advertising.
Affiliate links
Affiliate links are another way that influencers can make money. If an influencer shares something they love, like a new fall sweater or their favorite baby item, they may use an affiliate linking program to make a small commission on their sales. Affiliate links do not cost the viewer anything extra when they purchase, but it does help support the influencer who shared the product.
Usage rights
Usage rights refer to permission for a brand to use the content for a specified period. It’s usually listed within a contract and can affect the sponsored post rate. A brand can ask for usage rights to use the content in the specified way, such as on their website or in out-of-home ads. Be sure that you’re aware of how they’ll use your content (and for how long) when creating your sponsorship requirements in the contract with the brand.
UGC
UGC is another highly used acronym within the influencer world that means “user-generated content.” UGC differs from influencer content in that true UGC is created by a brand fan for no compensation. In paid UGC, a creator produces content for the brand to publish on the company’s site, blog or social channels. Brands sometimes will use tagged content on Instagram as UGC, re-sharing someone who shared their product. Brands often ask permission to repost content with credit to the creator.
Authenticity
Being honest with your audience should be a top goal, which is why you’ve probably heard the word authenticity thrown around. Brands will want to ensure they’re working with an authentic influencer to get the best results from their campaigns. It means that as an influencer, you’re being truthful with your product recommendations and only sharing things you genuinely believe in. To keep your audience’s trust, authenticity is crucial.
Deliverables
Deliverables are an essential part of any sponsored content contract. Deliverables are precisely what the brand expects from the influencer through the partnership, like the number of posts, event attendance, etc. Deliverables are specified in influencer contracts.
While many pieces to the influencer marketing world can overwhelm a newcomer, they don’t have to be. Check out IZEA’s resources to learn more about influencer marketing as an influencer or a brand.
