Authentic engagement: Leveraging micro and nano influencers to connect with consumers

Throughout numerous social media platforms, customers primarily observe individuals they’re accustomed to. Regardless of the appreciable time spent on influencer content material, Indians from each low-tier cities and concrete areas usually tend to be influenced by these of their private networks. 

For example, 31% of metro customers say that social media posts from individuals they know have a higher affect on their buying selections than on-line influencers, in comparison with 28% who say they rely closely on on-line influencers earlier than making a purchase order. In the meantime, six in 10 customers from low-tier cities who’ve spent a big period of time watching content material from on-line influencers post-pandemic haven’t made a purchase order primarily based on their suggestions within the final six months.

To bridge this hole, manufacturers can accomplice with micro-influencers (these with 10,000 to 100,000 followers) and nano-influencers (these with lower than 10,000 followers). As content material creators turn out to be more and more influential in shopper selections, manufacturers have the chance to nurture younger, budding creatives.

However what precisely are they on the lookout for from these influencers?

Indian customers have gotten more and more conscious of the potential monetary motivations that drive on-line influencers, with almost one-fourth of metro customers (versus 18% of whole customers) feeling that almost all of those influencers are ‘untrustworthy’. Moreover, an identical proportion of metro customers categorical concern concerning the high quality of merchandise/companies promoted by social media influencers who’re sponsored by manufacturers.

This has made authenticity and belief the cornerstones of profitable influencer advertising and marketing campaigns.

Furthermore, one-third of those that mistrust on-line influencers consider that social media influencers with fewer followers are extra genuine than these with large followings.

Based on Mintel Development Influentials, social media has turn out to be a ubiquitous platform. Due to this fact, placing a stability between harnessing the affect of tastemakers and preserving their integrity is essential for manufacturers engaged in influencer advertising and marketing.

To extend transparency and defend customers, we’re additionally witnessing a rise in authorities initiatives that require influencers to offer clear disclosures about their model associations. Disclosures are obligatory when there’s a ‘materials connection’ between an advertiser and a star or influencer.

1. Discover the facility of dwell streaming. Most customers seem to choose the dwell streaming of services, as evidenced by their purchases primarily based on influencer suggestions and a robust desire for dwell streaming. This desire may be attributed to the authenticity of the expertise. Customers can observe the unboxing and testing of merchandise in actual time by means of the lens of an influencer. 

For instance, Moj LIVE is a live-streaming platform that permits creators to authentically showcase their expertise and interact with customers in actual time. This 12 months, Moj created 150K incomes alternatives for Indian creators by means of challenges, collaborations, and influencer-led campaigns in partnership with over 75 manufacturers.

The 2022 year-end wrap-up report for Moj, a brief video platform

Manufacturers can, subsequently, collaborate with such brief video platforms and leverage the affect of regional influencers to attach with customers from low-tier cities, who’re more and more utilizing social media and digital platforms for buying and usually tend to be influenced by relatable individuals.

2. Faucet into the perceived authenticity of dwell reactions. As belief and authenticity are basic in influencer advertising and marketing, live-streamed product critiques from social media personalities are perceived to be extra genuine than pre-recorded ones.

Since displaying real feelings performs a task in fostering belief, manufacturers can improve the credibility of their influencer advertising and marketing through the use of dwell streams (e.g., TikTok Dwell, Twitch), the place influencers take a look at their merchandise. Nevertheless, to keep away from detrimental suggestions, manufacturers want to pick influencers who have already got a optimistic opinion of their model. For example, Marques Brownlee from the US, probably the most widespread tech influencers, makes use of dwell streams for his product critiques.

MKBHD‘s dwell streams function Q&As, dwell product critiques and unboxings; YouTube

We will additionally see Indian tech influencers (akin to Technical Guruji) utilizing dwell streaming or dwell running a blog for product critiques.

3. Influencers who’re educated, relatable, and humorous achieve favour. Past belief, almost two-thirds of customers are extra inclined to observe a web based influencer who’s educated and approachable. Furthermore, almost half of Indian customers are drawn to influencers who’re educated, simply accessible and foster a private reference to their viewers. Genuine critiques and charming, humorous content material may be instrumental in connecting with 56% of customers.

Kusha Kapila humours individuals together with her feisty and relatable characters; YouTube

4. Urbanites are invested in influencers who take an moral stance. Urbanites are drawn to influencers who passionately champion native companies, advocate for justice and collaborate with moral corporations to advertise sustainable consumerism. 23% of metro customers agree that on-line influencers ought to publish about necessary social or political points (versus 8% of Tier 3 customers). Moreover, 25% of metro customers really feel extra related to on-line influencers who promote native manufacturers or merchandise (in comparison with 8% of Tier 3 customers). In latest occasions, academic influencers have gained prominence, offering informative content material on quite a lot of matters, akin to science, geopolitics and authorities initiatives.

Abhi and Niyu, a husband-wife content material creator duo, have garnered a formidable 2.7 million Instagram followers. Their web page is dedicated to fixing issues and addressing matters akin to economics, social commentary, historical past and the atmosphere; YouTube

The trail to profitable influencer advertising and marketing in India hinges on embracing authenticity, belief and relatability. By participating micro and nano influencers, leveraging dwell streaming, and capitalizing on dwell reactions, manufacturers can successfully join with customers. Urbanites admire influencers championing native companies and moral values, whereas customers from low-tier cities search relatability. Collaborating with influencers aligned with their choices is the important thing to creating content material that resonates, and guaranteeing success within the dynamic world of influencer advertising and marketing.

For deeper insights into influencer advertising and marketing developments, in addition to Indian shopper behaviours, try the Mintel Retailer. Uncover the newest analysis to make knowledgeable selections to develop your online business in the present day.