Types of Influencers

Types of Influencers

There are many different types of influencers and brand ambassadors out there. They can vary by audience size, industry and niche market. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most common types to see which would be the best choice for your brand.

• Nano-influencers: Between 1K and 10K followers. Because of their reduced following, nano-influencers are usually able to engage consistently with their audience. While they may be less experienced than professional influencers, their content is typically more authentic and focuses on a niche topic. 

• Micro-influencers: Between 10K and 100K followers. Although they have more followers, they usually manage to maintain a relatively high level of engagement. They are also more likely to have a targeted audience focused on a particular niche.

• Macro-influencers: Between 100K and 1M followers. These profiles tend to have a much broader appeal and often include social media stars, bloggers, vloggers, and podcasters. These influencers also have a much greater reach. However, due to the sheer size of their audience, they are unlikely to have a high engagement rate. 

• Mega-influencers: Over 1M followers. These include celebrities, rising stars, and KOLs (key opinion leaders). Because they have such a strong social status, their recommendations tend to be listened to. However, they are less likely to be engaged with their followers or specialized in a particular niche or industry. 

• Brand ambassadors: You also need to understand the benefits of using a brand ambassador vs influencer. A brand ambassador is more likely to have a genuine passion for your brand, as they directly represent your brand. However, they often have a smaller following. 

Influencer Marketing vs Affiliate Marketing

The terms influencer marketing and affiliate marketing are often used interchangeably. This is because, ultimately, they have the same goal: collaborating with a third party in order to boost your marketing efforts. However, there is a distinct difference between the two terms that you need to be aware of.

Affiliate marketing tends to be driven by sales. You partner with an affiliate who is skilled at promoting products with the sole aim of increasing revenue. And with affiliate marketing, you only pay commissions for direct conversions. 

With influencer marketing, sales might be one of your end goals, but it is not your primary focus. Instead, influencers focus on expanding your reach and increasing awareness of your products or services.

Ultimately, the biggest difference between the two concepts is that affiliate marketing is generally focused on top-line revenue growth, whereas influencer marketing tends to focus more on brand awareness.