Connect with us

Entrepreneurs

A 3 Step Guide to Build Brand Awareness Through Influencer Marketing

Published

on

Unless you have been living under a rock, you may have heard all of the recent fuss over influencer marketing on social media. These influential individuals could be journalists, bloggers, or even celebrities who heavily sway a potential customer’s buying habits – generally through social media.

The idea behind influencer marketing is to build up your brand’s presence and build relationships with popular individuals (influencers) within your niche. These individuals will then (hopefully) share your products or services to their audience, or simply give your brand a shoutout. As these individuals have a lot of trust built up behind them, this can be a massive sales-driving opportunity for a new and upcoming business.

Most of us have been affected by influencer marketing without even knowing it. I know I have made purchasing decisions based on what I have seen influential people sharing on Instagram. However, many entrepreneurs may not be actively trying to market to influencers on social media – meaning they may be missing out on a lot of potential.

Social media has expanded exponentially in the last few years. In fact, a recent study by Market Force Information concluded that social media spending will increase to $30 billion in the next five years. This growth in social media has also caused influencer marketing to skyrocket with it. As these tactics continue to work together, there is a lot of potential for you and your business to dive in and succeed.

“Influencer marketing at its core is about developing a real relationship to ultimately champion your influencers to market with you.” – Amanda Maksymiw

So how exactly can you get started in influencer marketing? Here is a quick 3 step guide to help get your feet off the ground:

1. Identify Your Target Audience

The first step in any new marketing endeavor is to identify what groups your products or services will cater to. Are your products and services targeted towards benefiting individual consumers or large scale businesses? These are important questions to ask, because there are many different options when it comes to managing customers. Understanding who your target audience is the first step in succeeding in influencer marketing.

2. Find The Influencers in Your Niche

Now that you have identified your target audience, it is time to find who is influencing their buying habits. This is the grittiest part of the whole process, because it can be tough to find the perfect influencer for your brand. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways to go about this step.

One of the best ways is to identify what social media channel your customers are most likely to use, and simply use the search feature of that program. You can search relevant keywords or hashtags. This will allow you to find people who may be reviewing or talking about products that are similar to what you are offering.

Try it out. Do some digging, and come up with a list of five or ten influencers you would like to target. Now that you have a list, let’s move on!

3. Build a Relationship With Your Influencer List

Now that you have a list of influencers, it is time to get yourself in front of them. Otherwise, they may not even be aware of you or your brand’s existence. It is time to leave a lasting impression on them. You will want to send them a personalized email, introducing yourself and your brand with a beautiful pitch.

Within this pitch, you should include exactly what you want them to do. Do you want them to review your product? Write an article on your website? Give you a shoutout? Be specific, and don’t be afraid to negotiate.

“Great marketing is all about telling your story in such a way that it compels people to buy what you are selling.” – Gary Vaynerchuck

Keep in mind that nothing in life is free. Therefore, you may want to make a deal with these influencers. Perhaps offering to send them a trial or sample of your product for free, asking them to review it or talk about it in return. This one-time sacrifice could ultimately bring in hundreds or thousands of new leads and sales.

Overall, influencer marketing is a great opportunity for a new brand to gain some traction. It is important to give this a shot, and remember – don’t give up. Just because one influential person did not want to help, doesn’t mean the next one won’t. Use criticisms to perfect the perfect pitch, and get yourself noticed.

What tips would you add to help your influencer marketing? Please leave your thoughts below!

Taylor Tomita is a writer from Boise, Idaho who wants to help the small business and entrepreneurial worlds succeed. When not writing about business, Taylor is working with his personal website, Pedal Haven. Feel free to connect with him on Twitter.

Advertisement
2 Comments

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires

These must-read titles and writing insights reveal how entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into empire-level success.

Published

on

top entrepreneurship books for business growth
Image Credit: Midjourney

Entrepreneurship is powered by stories—of accomplishment, failure, and decision moments that define businesses. Books are maps, providing insight from individuals who’ve traversed the road ahead. (more…)

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

Published

on

Bridging the gap between employees and employers
Image Credit: Midjourney

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators

Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

Published

on

entrepreneurial leadership skills and traits
Image Credit: Midjourney

When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)

Continue Reading

Entrepreneurs

Building a Business Empire: Lessons from the World’s Boldest Entrepreneurs

Learn essential lessons, success strategies, and mindset shifts every aspiring entrepreneur needs to overcome challenges and build a thriving business.

Published

on

how to build a business empire
Image Credit: Midjourney

Back in July 2017, I attended a business seminar on entrepreneurship in India. With my appetite for learning and meeting new people, I wanted to explore the latest developments in the entrepreneurial world. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending