Alexis Kestler
Are you ready to transform from college student to successful influencer? As someone who has coached hundreds of aspiring influencers, take it from me—with the right strategy, authenticity and perseverance, you can build an impactful personal brand that creates value for audiences while achieving your professional goals.
But a haphazard approach won’t cut it in an increasingly competitive market. You need a proven framework to guide your journey—also known as an influencer marketing plan. Consider this your blueprint for getting started.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share fundamental knowledge from my 10+ years in social media marketing along with insider tips on exactly how to:
- Identify your niche, hone your unique value proposition
- Develop an audience-building content strategy
- Choose platforms and partnerships for growth
- Continually optimize efforts for impact
Let’s dive in to the essentials for crafting a winning influencer marketing plan. Buckle up for a crash course on strategic self-branding!
Finding Your Niche: Define Your Goals and Target Audience
Laying the groundwork starts with getting ultra-clear on your niche (your space/genre of influencing) along with ideal audience and goals.
Take time to do self-reflection and research. Analyze influencers you admire or trends that inspire you. What specific topics excite you? Where can you offer value that feels authentic? Use techniques like developing reader personas to get to know your audience inside-out too.
Common influencer goals:
- Grow your reach and engagement: Attract more followers who regularly interact with and share your content
- Monetize through sponsorships/partnerships: Get paid to promote relevant brands/products
- Establish niche authority: Become a respected expert voice that brands seek out
- Advance a cause/belief: Influence people’s opinions to drive impact on issues
Getting ultra-targeted will position you for success. For example, you could niche down from general health to nutrition tips for competitive athletes specifically.
Craft Your Content Strategy: Educate, Entertain and Engage
Content remains at the core of influencer marketing. Strategically create messages, stories and experiences that appeal to your clearly defined audience. Inform, inspire or entertain them according to their interests and desired tone.
Narrow down preferred content formats too e.g. long-form written guides, Reels showcasing products, motivational quotes, etc. Identify what resonates then consistently post within your niche.
Social media consultant Gary Vaynerchuk says it best: “Content is key but context is queen.” Always craft content tailored to context of your audience, platform culture and algorithms.
Choose Platforms and Partners Wisely
Conduct competitor research within your niche to see where existing conversations happen online and who the major players are. Identify platforms reaching your target groups then set up accounts optimized for each platform’s expectations.
Understand that different platforms have unique algorithmic priorities and cultural nuances around tone, production value etc. Put effort into customizing based on this context vs blindly reposting from one place everywhere.
Related to platforms, partnering with relevant brands can provide income and expanded reach once you build a solid following. But ensure alignment on values and credibility first. Prioritize authenticity over sponsorships.
Continually Analyze Performance and Optimize
Consistently tracking key metrics tied to your goals reveals what’s working (and what’s not!) This helps you double down on the right activities and course correct where needed.
Revisit your influencer strategy at least quarterly. Review performance indicators like followers gained, engagement rates per post, click-through rates on links/profile, conversion rates or sales from special offers. Adjust efforts based on data and audience feedback. Optimization is everything!
Embrace Vulnerability to Build True Connections
In an increasingly high-production world, audiences yearn for authenticity and real connections with the influencers they follow. Don’t buy into pressure to seem perfect! Share personal challenges and behind-the-scenes moments when comfortable. Celebrate wins and losses with your community along the journey.
Choose progress over perfection to foster genuine relationships and stand out from manufactured personas promising unattainable ideals. People will value seeing all of you.
I hope these tips give you clarity and confidence to begin strategically growing your personal brand and making your mark through influencing. May your journey involve joyful creation and meaningful impacts! Now get out there are start sharing your magic.
Additional Resources:
Influencer Marketing Analytics Guide | Top Platforms 2023 | Micro-Influencing 101
