How to Use Micro-Influencers to Build Brand Engagement

 “Influencer marketing isn’t just for big brands. What I love are the micro-influencers and the local campaigns.” —@wiredprworks

What do you need to know about #InfluencerMarketing? Here’s a podcast that will fill you in and a conference that will bring you up to date.

I’m looking to learn lots more at Influencer Marketing Days where I’ll take everyone on a backstage tour of how to construct a strategic influencer marketing plan. As a lead up to the event, I was asked to share my thoughts on the InfluencePros podcast. That’s me and Phoebe participating in the  #KingInsider micro influencer campaign at the Lyric Opera.

Thanks so much to Geno Prussakov for the opportunity to present ideas at the conference – and to Heidi Sullivan  of Cision and Julianna Vorhaus of TapInfluence for being such fun hosts!!

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Influence Pros is the weekly show where professionals learn about case studies and success stories in the fast-growing world of influencer and advocate marketing. View all shows—including free downloadable resources—at InfluenceProsPodcast.com.

And, here’s a quick transcript from my interview via the site. . . .

Making and Keeping Friends

Most people are concerned with their social media follower count, but the fact is that it’s actually the engagement and not the number of followers that counts most. Engagement can also be harder to establish since it’s all about building relationships and growing your range of influence.

Barbara Rozgonyi is a huge fan of micro-influencers with niche communities and local engagement. She also predicts that the next wave of influencers might be professional speakers. In this episode, she reveals how to give influencers the information they need to do well and how influencer marketing might be just a little like Broadway.

CoryWest Media focuses on scalable content marketing plans, marketing audits, company-wide and personal Linkedin makeovers, customized in-person or virtual social media training, and event marketing strategies and production.

InfluencePros Podcast Episode Quotes from me, Barbara Rozgonyi

Love, Love, Love that the hosts capture guest quotes!!

[ctt template=”1″ link=”DaIRK” via=”no” ]“#Influencermarketing isn’t just for big brands. What I love are the micro-influencers and the local campaigns.” —@wiredprworks[/ctt]

[ctt template=”1″ link=”QeElb” via=”no” ]“There is so much information out there that needs to be conveyed, but it’s also about exciting people to try new things.” —@wiredprworks[/ctt]

“If you don’t tell influencers what the real story is then sometimes they’re not going to get it right. I think more information is better than less.” —@wiredprworks

“It’s really about getting to know people and for brands who want to meet influencers and want long-term relationships, and I hope you do, then really meeting people face to face or even a web camera will give you some insights you just won’t get by talking in an email.” —@wiredprworks

“Some of these influencers may have a million followers, but how many of those followers are active?” —@wiredprworks

“What I’ve found as a speaker, is that meeting planners and people and in general are looking to go beyond the basics. They don’t what to know so how about how to do one two three. Now, they’re looking for more entertaining Ted-talk type approach.” —@wiredprworks

“It’s a range. Some people may have not much influence at all, and others of course, are highly influential. I wish more people would tap into their influence. What is the influence you bring? What do you want to convey? Once people really internalize that they are influential than it really empowers them.” —@wiredprworks

[ctt template=”1″ link=”adnFb” via=”no” ]“What better influencer than a speaker?” —@wiredprworks #quote #influencermarketing[/ctt]

Would You Rather Questions

To be honest, knowing that I’d have to answer three big questions made me more nervous than talking about influencer marketing. The good news? I had two choices. 🙂 How would YOU answer these questions?

Would you rather live in Narnia or go to school at Hogwarts?
I think I would have to go to school at Hogwarts, especially after going to the Harry Potter Adventure at Universal Studios.

Would you rather be a character in the movie “Gone with the Wind” or the “Wizard of Oz”?
I love the Wizard of Oz.” I love “Gone with the Wind.” Actually, I did have a hoopskirt at one time. I did.

Would you rather stay forever at your current age or be 10 years younger?
I think I would go back in time 10 years. I don’t know that I’d really re-do anything, but that was a great time for my family. I have three kids and my husband, he’s a great guy. We’ve had so much fun in the last 10 years. Our youngest one will graduate from the University of Illinois in Chicago, in May. He already has a job, which is every parent’s dream. But just to relive those 10 years with everything that they did, that would be a big gift. I would love that.

Over to You

How would you like influencer marketing to work for you?

Image credit: Barbara Rozgonyi