5 Mistakes to Avoid When Launching an Influencer Campaign: A Guide to Making Sure Your Campaign Doesn’t Go Down in Flames

Influencer marketing has become one of the most popular ways for businesses to reach new audiences and promote their products or services.

However, launching an influencer campaign can be a tricky process, and many businesses make mistakes that can lead to wasted resources and poor results. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes businesses make when launching an influencer campaign, as well as some tips for avoiding them.

Choosing the wrong influencer

One of the most common mistakes businesses make when launching an influencer campaign is choosing the wrong influencer.

It’s important to remember that not all influencers are created equal, and the wrong influencer can actually harm your brand. Be sure to do your research and choose an influencer who aligns with your brand values and has a following that is relevant to your target market.

Example

A fashion brand that partnered with an influencer known for promoting a controversial lifestyle. The brand’s target market did not align with the lifestyle the influencer was promoting, and as a result, the campaign performed poorly and the brand faced backlash from its target audience.

Not setting clear goals

Another common mistake businesses make when launching an influencer campaign is not setting clear goals.

Without clear goals, it can be difficult to measure the success of your campaign and make necessary adjustments. Be sure to set specific, measurable, and attainable goals for your campaign, such as increasing brand awareness or driving sales.

Case Study

A beauty brand that partnered with an influencer without setting clear goals for the campaign. The campaign resulted in a high volume of likes and comments on the influencer’s posts, but the brand saw no significant increase in sales. The brand later realized that it had not set a specific goal for driving sales, and therefore was unable to measure the campaign’s success in that regard.

Not providing enough guidance

Another mistake that businesses make is not providing enough guidance to the influencer.

Influencers are creative individuals and will often have their own ideas about how to promote your product or service. While it’s important to give influencers some creative freedom, it’s also important to provide them with guidelines and clear instructions. This will help to ensure that the campaign stays on track and achieves your desired results.

Example

A food delivery app that partnered with an influencer. But did not provide enough guidance on the type of content to be shared. As a result, the influencer shared a post that depicted the food in a way that did not align with the brand’s values, and the post was poorly received by the audience.

Not monitoring the campaign

Another common mistake businesses make when launching an influencer campaign is not monitoring the campaign.

It’s important to keep track of how your campaign is performing and make adjustments as necessary. This could include monitoring engagement on the influencer’s posts, tracking sales and website traffic, and analyzing the overall ROI of the campaign.

Case Study

A fitness brand that partnered with an influencer but did not monitor the campaign. The influencer’s posts were not reaching the target audience, and the campaign was not driving sales. The brand later realized that it had not set up proper monitoring and tracking, which led to a wasted investment.

Not having a clear call to action

Finally, another mistake businesses make when launching an influencer campaign is not having a clear call to action.

A call to action, such as “click the link in our bio to learn more” or “use code X at checkout to get 10% off” is crucial in getting your audience to take action and convert into customers. Without a clear call to action, your influencer campaign may result in a lot of engagement, but no tangible results.

Example

A travel company that partnered with an influencer to promote their vacation packages. The influencer’s posts were visually stunning and generated a lot of engagement. But the posts did not include a clear call to action. As a result, the campaign did not drive bookings for the vacation packages.

Influencer marketing can be a powerful tool for businesses. But it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can lead to wasted resources and poor results. By choosing the right influencer, setting clear goals, providing enough guidance, monitoring the campaign, and having a clear call to action, businesses can ensure that their influencer campaigns are a success.