Influencers and brand ambassadors are becoming increasingly crucial in shaping the future of brands. At Mitgo Group, the long-term collaboration with these individuals has led us to refine their strategies continually. This year, we’ve introduced a new platform called Takefluence, designed to connect brands and content creators seamlessly. Takefluence aims to foster a dynamic ecosystem where content creators can effortlessly earn from campaigns and promote offers.
Influencers significantly impact consumer purchasing decisions. Research from Matter reveals that 69% of consumers are more inclined to trust recommendations from acquaintances—family, friends, and influencers—over brand messages. Surprisingly, the same study shows that 81% of consumers took action after seeing posts from their loved ones or influencers about a product or service.
However, a recent study indicates a shift in consumer trust, with nearly 90% of consumers distrusting influencers. Today’s consumers prefer authentic user-generated content (UGC), with 86% of shoppers more likely to trust brands showcasing customer-created content.
Why is UGC so effective? It surpasses paid advertising and influencer collaborations in value because it’s created by real customers or genuine brand fans. These individuals engage with their favorite brands out of passion, not for sponsorships or deals. Organic content shared by trusted sources is more likely to capture attention compared to traditional ads.
So, how can brands harness the power of brand ambassadors? What benefits do they bring, and how can brands build effective ambassador programs to cultivate influencer loyalty?
Redefining Brand Ambassadors
Brands often aim to enhance their online presence and marketing strategies to align with evolving consumer behaviors. Collaborating with brand ambassadors is a powerful way to boost marketing efforts. Ambassadors promote your brand at little to no cost, helping you reach new audiences, gain social proof, drive brand awareness, and provide genuine recommendations. They add authenticity, a quality highly valued by modern consumers.
The term “influencer” or “ambassador” usually refers to high-profile individuals managed by agencies. However, we focus on micro-influencers with smaller, more engaged followings. These influencers often deliver higher content quality and engagement. Their objective is to create a product that maximizes the value of working with these influencers.
Harnessing the Potential of Brand Ambassadors for Growth
Brands can leverage existing customers and clients as a marketing force by giving them tasks like driving sales with promo codes or creating UGC and rewarding them accordingly. For example, asking users to follow on social media or leave a review transforms them into active participants. However, brands often fail to maintain engagement after the initial interaction.
We aim to provide solutions that help brands keep their audiences engaged for future tasks and interactions. Over time, brands can build a loyal audience that generates organic UGC, strengthening trust and loyalty. Loyal customers are less likely to switch brands, deepening their relationship with your brand.
Tips for Cultivating Customer Loyalty and Creating an Effective Ambassador Program
Innovate in Creating Ambassadors: Events offer a unique chance to turn attendees into ambassadors. For instance, placing QR codes on tables and encouraging attendees to create content can generate crowdsourced UGC for post-event analysis.
Embrace New Technology: Utilize AI to help ambassadors produce high-quality content quickly and verify it efficiently. Fintech solutions can simplify payments, offering virtual cards with exclusive perks like discounts or cashback.
Provide Necessary Support: Ensure ambassadors have access to resources like brand guidelines, training materials, and tutorials. Maintain a dedicated communication line for support and incorporate their feedback to improve your program.
By implementing these strategies, brands can effectively harness the power of brand ambassadors to amplify their marketing campaigns and foster a strong, loyal customer base, driving increased engagement and authentic connections with consumers.
Published by: Holy Minoza
