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preferences and how they work. Monitor success selectively While the availability of performance data and measurement tools has increased, so has an appetite to determine Return of Investment (ROI) for influencer marketing. Brands can reduce the friction of performance measurement by selecting metrics that align with objectives, and not rely solely on numbers when assessing campaigns. On striking the right balance between data measurement and the more unquantifiable benefits of influencer marketing. No one would have taken one ad in [a publication], waited to see how much they sold from that ad and say ‘we don’t want to advertise in that magazine anymore.’ Understanding the business goals and influencer campaign objectives will directly inform which metrics to track. Relinquish (some) creative control It’s influencers, rather than brands, who are going to have the best ideas about how to tap the connection with their audiences. Giving up control can be difficult for brands, but it’s often necessary. While brands need to make their campaign and business objectives clear, they also need to trust influencers to understand their market and relinquish the creative reins to create content that really resonates. Measure the ROI The big question behind any influencer marketing campaign is always: “how do we know if it is successful?” It’s true: ROI is always tricky to measure and track. One way you can do so is by providing influencers with a coupon code in their name so you can track the number of sales that came in through their campaign. Alternatively, you could also measure the amount of referral traffic coming in from their website via Google Analytics. Regardless of what you choose to measure, be on the lookout for some areas for potential improvement, especially in the beginning. No program is perfect, and the ability to grow a truly robust influencer marketing program takes a lot of time and effort. By showing more than just your superficial successes, you’ll demonstrate the thoughtfulness you’re putting behind growing these working relationships into something meaningful for your company. It’s not always pretty, and like any relationship, can mean some “give and take” for everyone involved, but at the end, those strong voices projecting your company messages for you, without solicitation, will have an ROI that far exceeds many of the other programs in your marketing mix. Irene Mbonge is a Communications Expert and a current affairs enthusiast. She is the interim Chair, CIPR-Kenya chapter. You can commune with her on this or related issues via mail at: Mbonge. [email protected]. DESIGN. PRINTING. MEDALS & BRANDED PROMOTIONAL MECHANDISE Owachi Africa Ltd endless possibilities www.owachi.com Contact: +254 20 2405106 +254 722 394 043 [email protected], Website:www.owachi.com