Swapping likes and shares for sales
An “influencer” is an individual who has amassed a large following on social media. They then use their platform to promote different ways of life, good causes or simply products and services (i.e. influencer marketing). But can a business also become an “influencer”, and if so, how can it be achieved?
Learn more on this topic below or speak directly with WEBPRO to ask your social media questions. We’re always available to assist our clients.
Can businesses be influencers too?
The distinction between an influencer and a business isn’t as clear as you may first believe. Both want to influence an audience or a target market, and both may want to influence their audience to buy a product or service. In fact, many influencers would argue that they’re creating a brand and running a business themselves.
If a business was to become influential online with a large following, it could establish authority, increase brand recognition, improve staff job satisfaction and increase profits. But to achieve these things, the business must start using social media platforms that most businesses aren’t brave enough to use. Read on for some examples.
Start a YouTube channel
YouTube has become the go-to place for video content, even overtaking many TV stations. It’s estimated that around 500 hours of content gets uploaded each minute. A YouTube channel that provides valuable content for your potential clients can really work in your favour.
For example, if you offer financial advice, you could provide a crash course on a certain financial topic through an engaging ten-minute talk, with the video linking back to your website and financial advice service pages.
By allowing potential leads to see your face and not hide behind a service page, it adds a human touch that could convince them to make contact when they otherwise wouldn’t.
Get a business Instagram
Instagram is a necessity for any influencer, and you don’t have to be scared of it as a business. You might not think of a photo depository website as beneficial to your business – but it can be.
Instagram has many benefits to businesses, such as:
- Verified accounts build consumer trust
- It allows you to receive feedback and public praise
- It increases brand awareness
- It can point back to your website to drive traffic
- It highlights your company culture and fun events to potential staff
How about TikTok?
If Instagram takes a leap of faith, you’re probably thinking that TikTok is a leap too far. Indeed, TikTok is often seen as the child of the social media world, but it can still be useful to even the most suited and booted of businesses.
Marketing research has uncovered that 92% of TikTok users have taken consumer action after spending time on TikTok. This shows that the platforms can be effectively used as a marketing avenue, and it’s worth exploring.
Podcasting for businesses
Lots of businesses are starting to make podcasts relevant to their industry and then publishing them on popular streaming platforms or their own website. In either case, a podcast can help you establish your authority within a niche or service area. This can help to recruit new leads and increase recurring website visitors as they try to learn more about services or come back for the next podcast.
Getting staff to participate in these discussions can be a fun inclusion to the working day and encourage in-house critical thinking and innovation between your teams.
Recap: Influencers and businesses are similar in their online aims. Both want to showcase their brand and knowledge to influence an audience (or target market) to buy products and services. But many businesses are lagging behind the typical influencer because they’re not adopting the newer types of social media, such as YouTube, TikTok and podcasting. Businesses can and should be making the most of these social media platforms for a wide range of benefits.
P.S. WEBPRO can assist with standard social media marketing too, including Facebook advertising and much more!
