In the social media influencer (SMI) marketing space, there is constant change, adaptation, and evolution. In recent years, so called "micro-influencers" have garnered a ton of attention in SMI marketing for their remarkable ability to drive revenue for businesses. What sets micro-influencers apart is their unparalleled authenticity, a quality that resonates more profoundly than their macro-influencer counterparts. Micro-influencers typically have a following between 1,000 to 100,000 followers, while macro-influencers have well over 100,000 followers. However beyond the following count, their power of authenticity and relatability is ultimately what makes micro-influencers such amazing assets in the marketing world ✨.
What is a Micro-Influencer?
As we mentioned, micro-influencers can have anywhere from 1,000 to 100,000 followers on their social media platforms. It is important to note, though, that within the 1,000 to 10,000 follower range, not every social media user is considered an influencer. What distinguishes micro-influencers from typical social media users is their distinct niche and the ability to sustain meaningful engagement through shared interests with their followers. These niches span a wide spectrum, including beauty, wellness, finance, and more. Micro-influencers tailor their content to their respective niches, rarely deviating from that niche, and cultivate a dedicated following within their target audience.
What value do Micro-Influencers provide?
Micro-Influencers excel in connecting with their followers through a specific shared interest. People who follow micro-influencers follow them for that specific reason, not just because they are popular on social media. Consequently, micro-influencers often find themselves with more engaged and loyal followers. There is a high degree of trust that forms between the influencer and follower. When making micro-influencers a part of your marketing strategy, this trust allows micro-influencers to give and convey your brand's authenticity. When micro-influencers promote your product or service, their followers are much more likely to purchase it because of the trust that is already built. This is evident in the high level of conversion that micro-influencers bring. According to Forbes, micro-influencers are able to generate a 20% conversion rate on average. The value micro-influencers provide is found within a combination of authenticity and relatability that builds trust within their influencer-follower relationship.
Are Micro-Influencers a fit for your marketing strategy?
While the appeal of micro-influencers is undeniable, not every influencer falling within the 1,000-100,000 follower range aligns seamlessly with every business. Assessing the compatibility of a micro-influencer with your marketing strategy involves considering three key factors: Engagement, Niche, and Target Audience.
Firstly, evaluating the micro-influencer’s engagement rate is a crucial step, as it serves as the first reliable indicator of follower interest and appreciation for the content ✨. Engagement rates are also important because they are a telling sign of whether or not their followers are paying attention to their posts. You certainly wouldn't want to find yourself in the situation where you've enlisted a micro-influencer, only to realize there's minimal interest or engagement with their content. According to Upfluence good engagement is between 1%-3%, making anything above 3% considered above average engagement. Engagement rates above 5% are considered great engagement. In this case, engagement is measured by the engagement rate, meaning the percent of their followers that engage (e.g. 1% of 10,000 followers would be 100 engaged accounts).
After analyzing the engagement rate, two crucial questions must be addressed: Does the micro-influencer’s niche fit my brand? Does their target audience match my target audience? These questions are important to consider because they ensure your brand reaches individuals most likely to convert into customers. You want to ensure that your marketing strategy is actually being marketed to people who will purchase your goods or services. If you are a sustainable beauty brand targeting younger female audiences you wouldn’t want to utilize a finance influencer who has an audience consisting mainly of men. You might not even want to utilize a fashion influencer whose followers seek them for styling advice. This is because you want to make sure your brand is reaching the audience of people most likely to purchase your product or service. Sure, there may be a fashion enthusiast or even a financial enthusiast that will purchase from your brand, but this is not about reaching any possible person who could purchase. Rather, precision in targeting the specific demographic most inclined to purchase your product or service is essential for maximizing your marketing efforts and costs. In order to maintain a high conversion rate and return on your investment, targeting your specific audience is essential.
Compared to the cost of a macro-influencer, you are able to get a better return on investment by utilizing micro-influencers. Where the cost per post for a micro-influencer typically ranges from the hundreds to thousands, the cost per post for a macro-influencer can go well beyond the ten thousand dollar mark. Forbes notes that micro-influencers have 60% increased engagement when compared to macro-influencers. When combining their higher rate of engagement with high conversion rate, and lower cost your ROI is naturally higher with utilizing micro-influencers.
Micro-influencers are a force to be reckoned with. Their authenticity, niche focus, and ability to foster genuine connections make them invaluable assets for brands seeking to make a meaningful impact. By leveraging the power of micro-influencers, brands can amplify their message, build trust with their audience, and drive tangible results in today's competitive digital landscape. 🖤✨