Influencer Marketing for Me and You

In a fast-paced, social media driven world, the impact of Influencer Marketing is apparent. Just this past week, there was the Facebook/Instagram shutdown, and all hell broke loose.
 
However, after the chaos, I did see some heartwarming posts from Influencers:
 
“The shutdown made me really miss you guys,” and “This time away really gave me time to think and reconnect with the real world.”
 
The reality is that Influencers could not reach their audience and money was not made in that timeframe. You might think, “Well, that wasn’t that long of a shutdown. The influencers could not have missed out on too much.” Sure, it was not that long, but the disconnect between the Influencer and the audience was significant. Meaning money was lost for the brands that could have been promoted.
 
Before we dive further into Brands, Influencers, and all that jazz: What exactly is Influencer Marketing?
 
According to Sarah Donawerth, it is the “…process of using external content creators,  or influencers , to advocate and engage with (a) brand’s message…helping to convert their audience into customers.” (https://getcarro.com/blog/what-is-influencer-marketing/)
 
I have always had a fascination with the Influencer culture. From the Kardashians to the Bachelor franchise, I have consistently engaged with the impact of the Influencer by being a loyal follower. Ironically, I have never learned just how Influencer Marketing works, but continue to make purchases, follow links, and take interest in brands.
 
This blog will be a beginner-friendly introduction to Influencer Marketing. We will start with the basics, look at popular Influencers, and learn about the impact. 
 
As I am completely new to Influencer Marketing, I will be learning alongside you. If you are a business owner, I hope that the information is helpful with optimizing your brand. If you are someone looking to become an influencer, I hope that your dreams come true, and you remember me when you have a lip kit like Kylie Jenner.