7 Influencer Marketing Trends For 2017
Influencer marketing is probably
the fastest-growing marketing channel at present. As the relationship of trust
strengthens between brand and influencer, it seems likely that 2017 will be the
year that brands will gain more confidence in handing over creative freedom and
narrative control to influencers. I think it’s time to emphasize again “quality
will win out over quantity”, and no doubt brands and influencer alike will be
more selective than ever about who would they choose to work with.
In recent, UK-based Fashion and Beauty Monitor have
conducted a research, which after compiling the data revealed ‘7 hottest trends
that will shape influencer marketing in 2017’:
1.
The
emphasis on personal brand will prevail
In 2017 the focus on building a
personal brand will continue to be the main area of focus. What the Fashion
and Beauty Monitor found from surveying a large group of fashion and beauty
influencers is that majority will only partnering with brands that offer a good
fit, and are of specific relevance to their audience. In addition, building long-term sustainable relationships
with brands is the second biggest priority. The finding shows that while
one-off endorsements dominated the collaborative space in 2016, this year influences
would like to be forging more meaningful partnerships.
2.
The
rise of ‘influencer’ squads
Influencer squads can be a savvy
marketing move by brands, enabling them to widen their circle of engagement by piggybacking
off the connections and social following of the influencers they have a relationship
with. Moreover, the diversity of the ‘squad’ brings added value to the brand
campaign, providing they align with thee brand values and operate in the same
market. Influencer squads are where you really begin to tell the same story
from many different angles, and you see different opinions but all on the same
story. This is particularly true with celebrity influencers – Such as Taylor
Swift’s 4th July party, for example, which had so many celebrities
there all Instagramming their moments from the party. Suddenly you have quite a
unique story taking shape, because of her squad.
3.
The
rise of mid-tier influencers
The ‘magic middle’ is a term
originally defined by David Sifry, founder of Technorati, and has also
been widely used by industry thought leaders Brian Solis. It refers to an
untapped genre of influence, providing the ideal alternative of complement to
A-list influencer outreach. In many ways, these mid-tier influencers are the
ones the general public aspires to more than Hollywood celebrities or super
models, for example, as they’re more within their reach. It’s with the mid-tier
that brands can start to engage on a much more personable level with consumers,
and talk of a lifestyle they can aspire to. For example, yoga instructor Patrick
Beach had just a few thousand followers on Instagram, yet H&M Sport
recognize that they were highly engaged bunch of followers who cared deeply
about what he had to say, owing to his passion and commitment to his subject.
The high street fashion brand approached him with a partnership opportunity,
which over a short period of time has proved itself to be incredibly successful
for both parties. Fundamentally, it has brought Patrick a new respected fan
base, and he now boasts over 300,000 followers.
4.
A
layered approach
Influencers and agencies agree
that brands need to be thinking beyond product reviews and gifting, taking a
more interesting, layered approach to influencer marketing. Savvy consumers
want insider access, behind the scenes previews and insight into the lives of
brand and its people. For example, Benefit Cosmetics’ Lisa Potter-Dixon,
head make up and trend artist, shares tips, tricks, product previews and demos,
as well as backstage shots at Fashion Week and QVC. Not only this, she also
often helps with out-of-hours customer service across Instagram, Twitter and
Snapchat, as well as featuring brand on her own YouTube channel. Not only does
this help raise the profile for the brand, but also positions Lisa as an
influential figure in the industry, and in turn offer the brand even more
exposure.
5.
A
smarter approach to research identification
Interviews with influencers
confirmed that even in the digital age, it remains surprisingly difficult to
seek out and established relevant brand partnerships. In the majority of cases
influencers are sitting back and waiting to be contacted, but then they say
that more than half of the brand approaches they receive are generally poorly
researched and untargeted, and not relevant to them nor their audience. It’s an
inefficient way of working, and moving forward, brands will be required to find
better tools and methods to identify suitable influencers to work with, who
they can established a more meaningful relationship with long-term.
6.
Video
will prevail
Video provides brands with
greater scope to be creative, while offering a broader storytelling arc. It’s
also the format consumers are demonstrating an insatiable appetite for right
now, as if done well, it allows them to access a lifestyle, rather than just a
moment via an Instagram image, for example.
7.
A
lighter legal framework
Contracts have formalized the
influencer marketing industry, to a degree. Many influencers said increasingly,
they are being asked to sign contracts for paid collaborations, so that
everyone is clear on what’s expected of them. Let’s be honest, most influencers lack management or agents, it’s
important the contracts are short and easily digestible. To clear up any
remaining confusion around disclosure rules, it seems inevitable that moving
forwards, brands will begin including these requirements within their
contracts, if they are doing so already. For this reason, it’s crucial that
brands keep up-to-date on the regulations specific to their country, which
inevitably will tighten up further as the industry matures.
xx Do the things you are passionate about; Learn from ones
who inspire you; Strive to become an expert at what you do xx
Binzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog
Binzento Vincente: A Fashion & Lifestyle Blog
