In a world that is becoming increasingly more involved with social media, it’s important for marketing agencies or businesses alike to understand the value of social media and how having a social media influencer might boost their engagement. To help businesses understand why partnering with someone like a social media influencer can be great for business, we went to the experts with our questions. A few months ago, we interviewed social media influencer Becca Ingle (located in North Carolina) about how you can find an influencer that will be the perfect fit for your business. 

1. How do I find the right influencer?
2. At first, it can be a daunting task to find a social media influencer, but there are many resources to help you. For starters, you can join blogger/vlogger/influencer groups on Facebook, and then post about your inquiries, what you’re looking for, and your targeted audience! Most times, bloggers need to know who the brand is they would be partnering with – so make sure your post is detailed but also aligns with the influencer’s brand and passions. 

1. Who knows how to help me find an influencer? 
2. The idea of going onto a Facebook page may not settle well with you, which is perfectly fine! I recommend hiring/working with a PR team that has established relationships with influencers. PR Firms in Raleigh, NC, like Mckeeman Communications, have the expertise and relationships you need! 

1. How do I get started? 
2. It’s crucial you have an influencer that aligns with your network and audience. Go to their profile and see who they are, what they do, and who their audience is! This will help you narrow down your influencer list. They might already have partnerships that align or even compete with your own business. So, doing advanced research will help you even more. 

1. How do I know they will reach my ideal amount of people? 
2. Instagram has an insights page, so ask your influencer to send you that page with all the metrics, insights, and analytics! This will also help you see if they are legit and have an authentic reach and customer engagement. 

1. How can I trust them with what they’re posting for us? 
2. This trust comes from a whole lot of communication. Each month, or whenever you talk to your influencer, make sure you have an idea of what you want them to say – but do not give them an exact script. The whole idea of hiring an influencer is to have their experienced voice speak for your company/brand. If they have a good direction for what their content should be focused on, allow them to take the creative next steps. It’s why you decided to partner with them in the first place – their polished content. It’s always good to confirm what they’re posting and when to ensure you’re aligned on a unified plan, so you can engage with their content. 

1. Is this worth my time and investment? 
2. Yes. Social media is not going away anytime soon. All of us in Raleigh felt the impact after the world closed down in 2020. People started to rely more on social media and digital marketing for more sales. Use this to your advantage NOW so you can hop on the digital train. Your business will not regret this decision. 

Remember, this will be a learning experience. You and your influencer will have to be patient in communication and understanding each other’s businesses and brands. You want them to know, trust and LOVE what you are offering, which is why it is SO important to find someone who will love your products/services. There are influencers all over the country, and if you are located in Raleigh, NC, you can guarantee there are multiple ones to choose from! We would love to hear from you and help you navigate this new trend that will benefit your brand/business like never before! You don’t need some celebrity endorsement anymore; you just need to find a social influencer, and lucky for you, there are SO many of them! 

A top PR firm in Charlotte NC, McKeeman Communications works with companies that are experiencing rapid growth or change. We help localize and share messaging that builds awareness and trust for their brand. Call (866) 341-2650 or email info@mckeemanpr.com to learn more.