Getting to know Socialight: Leading Influencer Marketing Management
Posted on: 22 Feb 2018With social media marketing booming at present, the Influencer method is fast becoming one of the most effective ways to market businesses, products and more. Socialight, a new social media marketing app, aims to make the process quicker, easier and more effective through channels like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat amongst others. We spoke to Socialight Director Iain McFarnon to find out more.
Tell us about Socialight and how influencer marketing can help businesses reach more customers?
Influencer marketing is fast becoming the most cost-effective method of marketing any business. In today’s World, the attention paid by consumers to self-promoted adverts is almost non-existent. This comes as a result of how information is shared over social media on a daily basis. With how easy it is to share opinions and experiences over the likes of Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat, there is enormous value behind following and engaging with those who you know, like and trust, which means we now completely ignore the ones we know are trying to win our business by selling to us. A by-product of this is ‘influencers’, who have amassed an audience by dedicating their time and effort into communicating their experiences and opinions within a certain field over social media.
While for many this seems strange, almost like it’s not a ‘real job’ (as many have been known to say) the reality of 2018 is that these individuals are the future of marketing opportunities because they can help businesses communicate their message amidst the chaos that is desperate nature of self-promoted advertising. Influencers have earned the trust and respect of their followers, something that is very difficult for even the best of businesses to do. So not only does working with influencers help you reach a large audience, your brand and message are associated with an individual who is liked within their community, helping businesses to establish a genuine response when communicated through an influencer. It’s the modern-day version of word of mouth marketing.
How can Socialight help? Well, we have established a platform available online, which allows businesses to create Campaigns. These campaigns detail content they would like influencers to create about their business. Influencers can then log on to Socialight, browse and read the campaign briefs and apply to collaborate. Upon applying, a dialogue is opened up between Socialight, the influencer and business. If there is a suitable fit based on style and reach, the collaboration is born and the business is now in the process of communicating a story about their business through influencers. What makes us unique is that all influencers and businesses are local to one another, meaning the business can reach a relevant, local audience, while the influencer can collaborate with businesses that are accessible to them, and ones they know and love.
Most importantly, it’s self-sufficient, meaning the hard work often associated with establishing collaborations between businesses and influencers has already been done. It’s now just about being part of Socialight to discover the opportunities.
Are you from Bristol?
Yep, we’re a Bristol born and bred. Even if we weren’t, Bristol is such an incredible city be a part of when it comes to this sort of industry. There are so many creative individuals and forward-thinking businesses. We’re lucky to have grown up in a city that offers so many opportunities, so it’s the perfect place for Socialight to launch.
How can bloggers and influencers get involved? Do they need to have a large or targeted following?
It’s completely free for influencers to sign up to Socialight! It’s a simple case of registering via our website. We don’t turn anybody away based on following size because we appreciate everyone has to start somewhere, but we do vet their content to make sure everyone that is part of Socialight is someone who can add value to a business. Pictures of your cat and drunk friends probably wouldn’t cut it…
What about businesses? Is it just bars and restaurants or can all business sectors benefit?
Businesses can also sign up free of charge, but most that we work with upgrade to our paid for service because the benefits majorly outweigh working with us free of charge. We work with all sectors and are making moves to begin working with fashion, health and beauty brands, but because of our backgrounds, a lot of the businesses we are initially working with are in the food & drink sector.
What channels are you using to promote content?
The two biggest channels we use are Instagram and blogs. There aren’t any channels that we don’t use, meaning if an influencer has a big presence on say, Snapchat, Facebook or even something like Pinterest, we can accommodate collaborations over these platforms.
Engagement through Twitter seems to have nosedived over the last 24 months and Facebook’s new algorithms are making it harder for businesses to have a large organic reach – are there any new channels that businesses should be utilising more in 2018?
Without a doubt, Instagram is the big player right now. It’s certainly not new, but it’s surpassed Facebook in its effectiveness to communicate to your potential customers. What makes Instagram the go to in 2018? Imagery is king, and it's where all the influencers are. Imagery tells a story. Stories are what consumers engage the most in. And stories are best told by influencers who know how to make beautiful content and have the audience to share them with. The one to keep an eye on, though, is Snapchat. Continuing on the same note of imagery, Snapchat are making moves to make it a more dynamic platform that puts big personalities in front of regular users, which influencers may begin picking up on. When they figure out how to put brands in front of users, though, the landscape will change drastically.
What’s the best way to get in touch?
We like phone calls the most. 0117 373 7891. But if you’re a bit phone shy, an email is fine.
Where do you see Socialight in 5 years time?
We anticipate being the most used Influencer Marketing platform in the UK, replicating our model in Bristol across a minimum of 15 major cities. As influencer marketing begins to rise and become more commonly used in the UK, we expect Socialight to be the platform that both businesses and influencers always go to.
For further information visit www.socialightapp.co.uk.
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Article by:
Bristol born and bred despite the name, Brendan has been working in the digital media sector for the last 10 years and advertising for the last 20 years. A wealth of knowledge about the city and more importantly at how to help businesses get as much online exposure as possible. Call Brendan on 07876 735153 or email Brendan@365bristol.com.
