Influencer or Affiliate Marketing: Choosing the Best Strategy for Your Brand

The buzz revolving around influencer marketing is still as loud as ever. As millions of Filipinos engage with various social media platforms daily, the potential to reach a broader audience has never been more promising through this type of marketing strategy.  However, let’s not forget about affiliate marketing, a seasoned player in the game that doesn’t always steal the spotlight. The question is, is it still a relevant strategy? The answer is, yes! In fact, influencer and affiliate marketing both wield significant power in swaying your target audience and converting them into customers. Failing to grasp the distinctions and how each strategy operates might mean missing out on valuable opportunities to expand your reach and elevate your business. The key lies in understanding when to deploy each tactic based on your current objectives, creating a dynamic marketing approach. So, let’s delve into the workings of each strategy, shedding light on how to discern which one to embrace — and when — to amplify your visibility and enhance the potential for cultivating a thriving ecommerce business. Unraveling Influencer Marketing Influencer marketing involves collaborating with influential figures in your niche, enlisting their support to promote your products or services. This dynamic marketing form stands out as one of the quickest and most potent methods to gain brand exposure rapidly. The personal touch inherent in influencer marketing resonates with the followers of influencers, especially when these influencers hold sway over your ideal target audience. A cursory search across popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube unveils a plethora of influencers covering diverse markets. With over 3 billion people projected to be using social media by 2021, the potential for brand exposure in the Philippines is immense. To evaluate the success of your influencer marketing campaign, monitor the following metrics: Number of New Followers : A surge in new followers indicates increased traffic to your social media pages during the campaign. Social Media Engagement : Track metrics like comments, likes, shares, link clicks, and post views to gauge the effectiveness of the campaign. Website Traffic: Successful campaigns direct traffic to specific pages on your website; monitor leads that convert into purchases. Lead Generation : Check for an uptick in email signups if you have a lead magnet or signup form available. If these metrics witness an uptrend during your campaigns, consider them a success. The Dynamics of Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing, on the other hand, empowers you to promote your products or services on platforms other than your own. When leads encounter your content on these sites, click, and make a purchase, the affiliate — the site displaying your content — receives a percentage of the sale. Unlike influencer marketing, affiliate marketing involves forming partnerships with established blogs, companies, and publishers, rather than individual influencers. The goal is to boost revenue by providing your audience with exclusive offers, discounts, and sales. Affiliates often collaborate with multiple businesses to ensure optimal positioning and visibility for your product, offering support, training, and additional opportunities. One notable advantage of affiliate marketing is the ease of connecting with relevant affiliates. Services like ShareASale and FlexOffers link businesses with affiliates, manage payments, offer tracking tools, and ensure your content appears on reputable sites. To gauge the success of your affiliate marketing campaign, focus on the following metrics: Average Order Value : Assess whether leads are making minimum purchases or opting for high-value products. Sales Volume : Track sales numbers to identify products experiencing a sales boost through the affiliate program. Site Traffic : Monitor an increase in visitors to your site, exploring pages and potentially leading to new lead signups. Choosing the Right Path: Influencer or Affiliate Marketing? The marketing strategy you opt for should align with three critical factors: The first one is knowing your Goal . Influencer marketing is ideal for special offers, product promotion, and generating excitement about upcoming launches. In contrast, affiliate marketing suits the promotion of products or services through channels beyond social media. Second, consider your Audience. Tailor your approach based on your audience’s preferences and online habits. Influencer marketing is effective for reaching a broad audience, while affiliate marketing allows you to target specific groups. And lastly, consult your Budget . Consider your financial resources. While influencer marketing can be costly, affiliate marketing offers a pay-per-performance model, allowing you to manage expenses more effectively. As these factors evolve, your marketing approach may shift between influencer and affiliate strategies. Embrace the flexibility to experiment and discover what works best for your unique goals. You can even run simultaneous campaigns using both techniques, ensuring adaptability to your audience’s interests. Final PopStar Tip Keep in mind, the key to a successful brand promotion campaign is not to pit influencer marketing against affiliate marketing but to leverage their strengths in tandem. Find a harmonious balance, and remember: flexibility is the secret sauce to a successful marketing strategy! Happy marketing! Send us a message or contact our Team at contact@pop-star.me for more information on how PopStar can help your influencer marketing here in the Philippines.