The rapid growth of social media has brought on the rise of influencer marketing, with brands expected to spend up to $15 billion on influencer marketing by 2022. Influencer marketing is defined as marketing that utilizes endorsements and product placements from influencers, or individuals who have a dedicated social following. Keep reading for unique ways to utilize influencer marketing in your next campaign. 

Special Events or Grand Openings 

Is your business hosting an event? Whether it’s for a brand new opening or a special new menu, influencer nights are becoming as standard as media nights. Curate an invite list of influencers to fit your niche, from local foodies to lifestyle bloggers. The posts and stories they share from the event will generate buzz. Plus, most local influencers know each other and love for a chance to all get together at a special event! 

General Awareness

Sometimes you just need help spreading general awareness about a service or product. Invite influencers into your restaurant for a complimentary meal or send them a sample of your product to try at home. Their positive reviews will help spread the word to followers who otherwise might not know about your business. 

Host a Giveaway

Giveaways drive engagement and benefit all involved, from the influencer to your brand to the audience you’re trying to reach. Partner with an influencer to give away your product or service to their followers. Requirements for entry can include asking participants to like or follow your business’ page or visit your website to sign up for a form or an email list.

Serve as a Spokesperson 

If you have a number of different products or services to promote, connect with an influencer to serve as a spokesperson for a product overview or guide for a broadcast segment. If they have a blog of their own, repurpose their piece highlighting your business and pitch it to local outlets. 

Re-Posting to Stories 

Partnering with an influencer doesn’t have to be a multi-day campaign requiring extensive planning. It can be as simple as a quick DM to ask them to help spread the word about important news for your business. Ask them to share news to their Instagram Stories of a big event or product launch, even if it’s just a simple graphic.

The Social Ape team can help you put your next influencer marketing campaign into place! Contact us today to get started.