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Hard-hitting Answers to Influencer Marketing Conundrums Unveiled

Questions about influencer marketing often arise for brands seeking to collaborate with content creators or food influencers like myself, who assist restaurants with marketing. To shed light on this topic, here's a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on influencer marketing:

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Questions about influencer marketing frequently arise among those who assist restaurants with...
Questions about influencer marketing frequently arise among those who assist restaurants with marketing and are also content creators/food influencers. Here's a handy FAQ to clarify common inquiries about influencer marketing:

Hard-hitting Answers to Influencer Marketing Conundrums Unveiled

Dive into the world of restaurant marketing through influencer collaborations on Instagram and TikTok! Here's the lowdown on how to make it happen, taken straight from a marketing pro who's also a food influencer:

Is Influencer Marketing Worth It for Your Restaurant?

Short answer: Heck yeah!

Influencer Marketing FAQ

Is Influencer Marketing Worth It?

You betcha! Influencer marketing offers numerous benefits, such as:

  1. Encouraging Guest Sharing: When more influencers promote your business, it encourages your guests to do the same, creating a compounding effect.
  2. Quality Content: Influencers typically produce high-quality content that you can repost with proper credit and share via stories.
  3. Telling Your Story: Through someone else's eyes and perspective, influencers help you tell your restaurant's story and showcase your food.

Do I Need to Pay Influencers?

Nope, but don't be afraid to either. After all, you want your guests to pay for your delicious food! Creating influencer-quality content can be expensive, with costs like travel, time, tolls, and other expenses to consider. If you do decide to pay, set your budget ahead of time and be willing to negotiate.

How Do I Get Influencers for Free?

Just ask! Offer them a free meal or experience in exchange for content. Be polite and be clear about the expectations. If they charge, be upfront about not having a sponsorship budget but remaining open to comped meals.

How Much Should I Pay Influencers?

Whatever budget you decide on before reaching out to them, based on the scope of work you're asking for. Start with $100-$300 and see where that gets you.

How Do I Avoid Overpaying Influencers?

Ask them what their rates are if you really want to overpay. Most influencers are flexible and willing to negotiate. Instead, be straightforward about what you have to offer and consider it a flat fee or barter agreement.

How Many Followers Should I Look For?

Focus on the content quality rather than the follower count. If the content looks great, you're golden! Look for influencers that fit your restaurant's style, audience, and locality. Engagement rate and friendliness are also essential factors to consider.

How Do I Find Local Influencers?

Check out nearby restaurants that receive attention from influencers and see who is tagging them on Instagram. Ask influencers for recommendations of other local influencers. For a guaranteed match, consider hiring an influencer to coordinate a tasting event for you with other influencers.

How Should I Reach Out to Influencers?

Avoid coming off as lazy or disorganized:

  • Follow their account first.
  • Engage with a few of their posts before sending a message.
  • Send a friendly, direct, and engaging message that outlines what you're looking for.
  • Be transparent about your offer and restaurant.

Here's a sample message:

"Hey [Influencer name],

I really dig your style! [Mention a specific post or content that you like].

I'm [Your role in the restaurant] at [Restaurant name @screenname], a [One or two sentence description about your restaurant]. Would you be interested in trying our food? We offer comped meals in exchange for content on your [Social media channel].

Let me know if that sounds good, and I'll set it up.

Thanks, [Your name]"

What to Do If an Influencer Says Yes?

Be specific about your asks and explain the guidelines in advance. Include:

  • Confirmation of date and time.
  • Who to ask for upon arrival.
  • What's expected or requested.
  • About your brand.
  • Required hashtags and @screennames to tag.
  • Your interest in a collaboration post on Instagram.
  • Don't leave questions unanswered, and set the tone for the desired content narrative.

After the Influencer Posts

Show appreciation and engagement:

  • Like the post.
  • Comment on the post.
  • Share the post to your stories.
  • Send a thank you DM.

Shortcut for Influencer Marketing

Why struggle when there's a solution? Check out Guru Club, a platform that makes the influencer marketing process easy by encouraging guests to share their experiences on Instagram for instant rewards. With Guru Club, all your guests become influencers!

My best advice: Treat influencer marketing as an "always on" channel and find 5-10 influencers who really get your brand. Build long-term relationships with them and invite them back regularly (without being annoying). For multi-unit brands, consider hiring an agency to handle the process for you.

What other questions do you have? Send an email to [email protected].

  • Rev Ciancio

Rev helps restaurants build guest marketing programs and aids hospitality tech companies with lead generation and content marketing.

  1. Influencer marketing not only encourages guest sharing but also provides opportunities for food-and-drink businesses to showcase their cuisine through technology, helping to expand their business and reach a wider lifestyle audience.
  2. Aside from providing high-quality content and telling the story of a restaurant, influencer marketing can generate a return on investment by increasing brand visibility in the financial sector, as restaurants can gain new customers and boost their profits.

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