Original Article: Talking Influence
We’ve all heard it, and most of us have said it: the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has created a “new normal” no one could have predicted. Couple that with a global social justice movement fighting against the systemic racism and inequality that has permeated society for hundreds of years. Set these crises against the backdrop of the sharply divided upcoming election, and it’s safe to say there has been an abrupt shift in the lives and mindsets of consumers and brands alike.
As words like “unprecedented” and “uncertain” have become part of our everyday vernacular, marketers have had to step back and re-evaluate their relationships with consumers across every touchpoint: How their brand is introduced (first impressions are everything), how their brand communicates, and how they build and sustain loyalty overtime.
With limitations placed on social interactions in person, audiences are glued to their screens and refreshing their timelines, making social media a sandbox that most brands want to play in. For advertisers, it’s not exactly an easy time to navigate the space. Brands are grappling with ways to connect, and the question is no longer should they take a stance, but rather how they should do it. While many have moved forward boldly, others feel apprehension about alienating consumers, and the potential backlash for getting it wrong. However, trying to appeal to everyone can end up appealing to no one – that’s why it’s important to show up.
Building trust with consumers
When it comes to influencer marketing, we have always said content is king, and the crown looks different this year. More than ever, consumers are looking for authenticity in the form of support, reassurance, and real connections. What they are not looking for is a perfectly polished ad that feels contrived. Brands need to be empathetic, nimble, creative, but most importantly: human.
Below, we explore ways leaning into the authenticity of influencer content and harnessing the trust each creator has built with their audience is helping brands build human-to-human connections.
- Solicit feedback and recalibrate: As a brand, it’s easy to put blinders on, or worse, go silent. Instead, open the door for conversations with employees, partners, and especially with influencers. Solicit feedback on creative strategies, and ensure the perspectives are diverse – not just ethnically, but diverse in age, gender, sexuality, ability, and economic status. Is the campaign inclusive, timely, and innovative? Or does it fall short in any of those areas? Don’t be afraid to poke holes.
In particular, by giving influencers the chance to weigh in, you’re getting a first-hand take on how your approach will fit into the social media landscape they’ve mastered. It’s not often that influencers are approached with a campaign opportunity and asked “What are your thoughts on this? Would you do it differently? If so, how?” This kind of trust and collaboration opens a door that will help your campaign flourish and will establish a much stronger affinity and authenticity between a brand and its influencer partner(s).
- Focus on agility to remain relevant: Right now, it’s tough for anyone to predict what next week or next month will bring. Marketers are taking things one day at a time and agility is key. Be prepared and willing to flex your creative strategy and pivot with ever-changing consumer needs and mindsets.
- Recognize that influencers are humans: While cancel culture has been a hot button topic in recent months, the concept alone has been met with criticism as it emboldens online bullies and leaves no room for productive discussion. It can be easy to look at influencers as a direct way to drive reach, impressions, and ultimately ROI. What’s far more important is recognizing that they are human. They are storytellers. They are multifaceted. This also means that just like us, they make mistakes. Marketers looking to identify the “perfect” influencer need to realize that being bravely authentic, flawed and human can be exactly what makes a creator relatable to their audience and of value to the brand.
Human rights, activism, politics, and a much-needed distinction
While there are brands who have chosen to take an agnostic approach to politics, there’s an important distinction to be made here: the Black Lives Matter movement is not political. It’s a human rights issue and there isn’t room on the sidelines when it comes to valuing Black lives.
Similarly, being anti-racist and supporting the Black community does not make you an activist – it makes you human. Brands (and influencers) speaking out against racial injustices has not only become common, but is expected and in many cases, demanded. The social media landscape is host to many powerful, vocal activists and thought leaders, but categorizing everyone who has taken a stand against systemic racism as an activist dilutes the fact that being anti-racist should be part of everyone’s DNA, activist or not.
- You cannot avoid human rights: As brands evaluate and improve their commitment to diversity, partnering with Black creators — including those who have hosted discussions that may have been uncomfortable or unfamiliar for some — helps to establish a brand’s support of the Black community. With the anti-racism movement spreading across the globe, avoiding influencers who have taken a stance on the matter will result in a campaign that lacks inclusivity, diversity, and support of the Black community.
- Be prepared to answer questions: Influencers are doing more due diligence before entering into partnerships. Like brands, they too want to ensure they are aligning with companies that share their values and they’re not afraid to ask important questions like “What percent of your employees and leadership team are BIPOC?” or “What is your company’s D&I policy?” Rather than shying away from these questions, brands should be prepared with answers. Do not be afraid to acknowledge the need for progress, and more importantly, the action plan to get there. What’s needed most is honest, transparent dialogue, and brands should be prepared to have that discussion. If these questions are too uncomfortable to answer, then there are larger priorities at play.
- Don’t force a message where it doesn’t belong: If the campaign strategy creates a natural space for social justice messaging, it’s a great way to showcase brand support — but don’t force it. There’s no need to insert Black Lives Matter messaging into a post for the sake of doing so, especially a sponsored post. The topic of BLM is extremely important, and oftentimes heavy. Sponsored content shouldn’t be looked at as a brand’s chance to wave an inclusivity flag, and placing #ad within the topic of Black lives can easily be misconstrued as a contrived effort to capitalize on the social justice movement. What is an obligation for brands is ensuring their rosters of influencer partners are diverse, and that the art, music, culture, and stories of Black creators are celebrated organically within the campaign.
Influencers getting political
For most brands, politics are not part of the marketing strategy, and truthfully they don’t have to be. Some brands, like Ben & Jerry’s, have made it very clear where they stand politically, but the majority leave politics out of it. As we quickly approach a polarising election, many influencers will turn to their platform to voice where they stand. This can be a scary thought for an apolitical brand that wishes to cater to the masses, but it doesn’t need to be.
- Being ‘agnostic’ is no longer an option for brands: It’s important to realize that political parties align themselves with many different interests, groups, and ideologies all of which shift and change over time. Our two-party system in the United States isn’t as cut and dry as either parties would make it seem. Like political parties, companies and organizations have their own set of values and interests that define them. In polarising times like these, brands can no longer remain ‘agnostic’, but that doesn’t mean they have to be political either. It just means that brands have to be clear about their own values and stand by them. Again, it’s important to draw a clear distinction between politics and basic human rights, the latter of which should be part of a company’s core as they are not a partisan issue.
- Vet influencer partners, but let them have their own opinions: Avoiding an influencer who has posted political obscenities or consistently engages in anger-fueled debates is understandable and fair. However, it is a disservice to the industry, your campaign and the creator to lump all political speech together. Use your company values, personal morals and logic to determine where you draw the line as a company.
- Genuine connection is what matters most: Keep in mind that influencers having an opinion on politics, among many other things, is part of what makes their connection with their audiences so genuine. Trust is established, and when a brand is recommended to a consumer by an influencer they follow, they know it’s because that influencer truly enjoys the brand, politics aside. Combing through channels trying to find influencers who have never spoken up about anything political is an impossible and unnecessary task.
What this means for conservative brands
Consumers have made it clear that when they buy into a brand, they’re also buying into what that brand stands for, which should be something beyond profits. How brands choose to act right now will set the tone for their future, and hiding in the shadows is not the path to choose. Brands have the platform and opportunity to create positive change, and should be leading the charge to reposition human rights for all, particularly the Black community, at the forefront. It’s also important to keep in mind that brands don’t have to define themselves by what they aren’t or what they don’t stand for.
Even conservative brands who choose not to wave the BLM flag can still take this time to figure out what they do stand for and make a difference in those communities. Whether it’s environmental sustainability or childhood education, there should be something the brand is proud to support. Start there.
The beauty of influencer marketing is the human element it brings to the table. It sparks meaningful conversations among highly engaged audiences, and offers a much-needed contrast to brand-owned imagery and messaging that, based on format alone, is often a one-sided discourse. Aligning with partners who support the pursuit of equality is an accessible way for brands to be part of the conversation.
Now, more than ever, authentically connecting with consumers is key for every brand.
Understanding that perfection is not a human trait makes room for these conversations. Conversations which should be open-minded, empathetic, and most of all, human.