Using Your Influence for the Good of Your Readers (Influencer Marketing) 2

Using Your Influence for the Good of Your Readers
(Influencer Marketing)

If you look up “Influencer Marketing” on Wikipedia, it means:

Influencer marketing, (also Influence Marketing) is a form of marketing that has emerged from a variety of recent practices and studies, in which focus is placed on specific key individuals (or types of individual) rather than the target market as a whole. It identifies the individuals that have influence over potential buyers, and orients marketing activities around these influencers. Influencers may be potential buyers themselves, or they may be third parties. These third parties exist either in the supply chain (retailers, manufacturers, etc.) or may be so-called value-added influencers (such as journalists, academics, industry analysts, professional advisers, and so on).

Being able to use this online avenue for companies to reach their customers, and for us to be able to try out products before they are released, or just learn about the things that companies are thinking about doing. It can also help you with being able to receive a monthly blog income, or the knowledge of writing content about products, services, etc. that can actually be worth even more. Did you know that you earn an income from blogging? It does take time, and building of an audience, but it is something that can be done.

I wanted to write this post to include some blogging tips that could help my fellow bloggers to boost their income and/or personal experiences through brand sponsorship. Influencer marketing is something that I, myself, trust more than the more common celebrity endorsement. How many times have we heard about a celebrity being paid for a product endorsement and than come to find out that they don’t even use it? Sorry – that in my book, turns me away from a product. Even if it’s the celebrity that blew it, knowing that a company wasted their money on something like that, really makes me think of spending my hard-earned cash in another place.

There are many companies out there that I work with, to either help promote a product that they are coming out with, run an ad for a certain brand or be able to take part in some form of influencer marketing. One of those companies is Socialix, which I highly recommend. They are a great company, out there helping to connect the advertisers with those of us that will promote their product or service. Knowing that you are working with a trusted company, not only helps you to be at peace with what you are doing (not worrying about information being stolen, never getting paid, etc.), it also helps you to know that you are working with a great group of people, who pretty much all have the same end goal in mind…helping an advertiser reach it’s customer base.

I’ve worked with many difference companies in the past to promote their products. I know that brands are mainly looking for people that buy their products, to help spread the word to tell others why they should also buy it. That, to me is the main point, and what the advertisers want to get out of the partnerships with bloggers here online.

Now for the influencer, we not only get to try products that may not yet be available to the public (which I love), we can also give our opinions on some changes that they are thinking of doing to a product that is already on the shelf. I’ve worked with some beverage companies that send out a few containers of a new recipe of their product for you try, and they are very open to your opinions…good or bad. For me, being a bloggers, I get the joy of my opinion being valued when I working with a brand doing something like this.

I’ve also worked with:
Cereal Manufacturers
Makeup Companies
Off-Road Equipment Companies
Office Supply Manufacturers
& More!

Something that I learned early on in blogging and advertising for brands, is that I want to only write about the brands that I personally would purchase, and feel comfortable posting about on my website. Do I care if my Mom reads about me trying out that certain product, or is it family friendly enough if my son decides to check out what I’ve been writing about? To me, that is the most important thing. Now in regards to some products, it also depends on where they are manufactured, if they are safe for my family, and from a trustworthy company. Once again, would I give my positive opinion to someone I truly loved to buy that product? That is my main focus on what I will advertise about here on TigerStrypes blog.

Most of the advertisers that I work with, I have been informed about via a friend, or colleague, which I really love! Knowing that someone I care about trusts this certain place to work with with, makes it easier for me to make the decision to collaborate with that company. Just like when I heard about the Socialix network from a friend, and learned about it being a secure environment, having pre-funded offers (which you can accept or decline), made me even more interested in finding out what it was about. I learned that they screen their advertisers, and use a third-party support system, which can really help when you have questions, or problems with a certain campaign.

My Blogging Rules For Sponsored Posts:

Respect the Due Date: Some of the main things that I’ve learned about the best practices of writing sponsored posts is to stay on track in regards to the due date. Just as in any normal employment, if the boss gives you a date that something is due, you stick to it. It’s the same in the blog world.

Follow Guidelines: Adhere to the advertising companies guidelines, if they ask you include something, as long as it pertains to the article and you approve of it, add it. If you don’t, than work with the company and see if there are other options.

Entertain Your Readers: Be sure to make your posts interesting! I’ve heard that you really only have someone’s attention in the first paragraph. If you lose their attention, than you need to learn how to make them stay. Be comprehensive and informative in your post. Make it something, that when they do stay to finish reading, they leave with some extra knowledge to learn from and apply to their life.

To see how you can use your voice to help others, check out sites like Socialix. Their thriving community consists of some of the world’s top content creators and recognized brands. Click on one of the links below to find out more, and see if you’re a fit for them!

Connect With Socialix:

Disclaimer: I, Jamie Tomkins, own and operate TigerStrypes Blog located at www.tigerstrypes.com. From time to time you’ll hear about my real life experiences with companies and individuals. Let it be known that I have an affiliation with this said companies, and have received compensation for reviewing their service.  The review that I give regarding the service is based off my own personal experience; I do not guarantee that your experience will be the same.