What is an influencer?

Influencer

Influencer marketing is one of the latest marketing operations that companies are using to promote their products. But first there is one question to consider before thinking about engaging in influencer marketing, and that is to know what an influencer is.

What are social media influencers?

In the last decade, we have seen how the social media are growing rapidly. According to some statistics, more than 3 billion people actively use social media, or almost 40% of the world's population. Inevitably, these people look to social media influencers to guide them in their decision making.

Social media influencers are individuals who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a particular topic. They make regular posts on that topic on their social media channels. And they generate a large number of followers who pay close attention to their views.

Brands love social media influencers because they can create trends and encourage their followers to buy the products they promote.

Types of influencers

Most influencers are usually celebrities, industry experts, bloggers or micro influencers.

Most influencer marketing tends to take place on social media, usually with micro influencers and blogs. Industry experts, as well as journalists, can be considered influencers and hold an important position for brands.

Then we have the celebrities or famous people. These were the original influencers. They still have a role to play, although their importance as influencers is diminishing.

Bloggers and social media influencers have the most authentic and active relationships with their followers. Brands now recognise this and encourage them to follow.

Micro-influencers are ordinary people who have become known for their knowledge on a particular topic. And they have usually gained a considerable following on social media among devotees of that niche. It is not just the number of followers that indicates a level of influence. It is the relationship and interaction that a micro influencer has with their followers.