Marketing can sometimes be a finicky beast. Ads and strategies are all well and good, but oftentimes it’s the last thing you expect to work that ends up delivering the best results.
It’s why testing new marketing methods and channels are so important in making your business grow.
After all, if you continue to do the same thing for too long – the definition of “too long” becoming shorter and shorter with new technology – you may find that your profits begin to stagnate and your competition may overtake you.
So, we’ve compiled the risks and advantages of two of the most unconventional marketing methods for today’s marketing landscape: LinkedIn vs Influencer Marketing!
LinkedIn: An Already Established Juggernaut
What Are The Benefits?
You’ve probably already heard that LinkedIn is the business world’s social media. Trust us: this self-proclaimed title is well earned.
High Value Audiences: It is where top executives and rising talent congregate to share ideas and make connections.
You’ll be able to connect directly – via a personal message – to these key decision makers & talent.
Plus, you’ll have a fully customisable profile to show off your best work right off the bat when meeting them.
Helps Form Connections: LinkedIn works exceptionally for professional niches that operate upon strong relationships.
You can use the platform to not only acquire costumes, but form connections, networks, joint ventures, business opportunities and even friends too.
You’ll be able to open a dialogue with your audience and really show your best self.
Exceptional Performance For Certain Niches
LinkedIn typically delivers the best results for the following industries:
- Financial businesses: this industry naturally projects an air of professionalism and LinkedIn is the perfect place to compliment this.
- Trades, such as plumbers or builders: as their primary audience on LinkedIn will be blue collar professionals who are not experienced in manual labor, these business owners will find a high paying audience with many connections
- Recruitment Agencies: On LinkedIn, everyone’s profile is essentially their resume but with the added bonus of displaying their current network and latest posts. You’ll be able to source the best talent like never before! (Hint: this means LinkedIn is also great for business owners of every industry to headhunt new employees.)
What Are The Risks?
Naturally, LinkedIn will not suit all business types. In particular, non-corporate creative types will find it difficult to operate at full potential in LinkedIn’s professional and corporate-friendly environment.
While it’s a great platform to gradually build a network and audience, you may find it hard to achieve results if you don’t already have networks on the platform.
Influencer Marketing: The Upstart Ace In The Hole
What Are The Benefits?
There’s no doubt influencer marketing has generated its fair share of controversy over the years. But this is to be expected from a relatively new marketing niche; on the flip side, when it goes right, the results tend to be spectacular.
You Could Go Viral:
A viral campaign could skyrocket your organic reach, sales, and business growth to new heights. Making an ad or post go viral typically cannot be deliberately induced: it more often than not happens when you least expect it. However, when it does happen, the results are far better than any paid ads could hope to achieve.
High-Performing Audiences:
The audiences of influencers typically follow them because the influencer creates content relevant to a specific interest. Gyms, artists, life coaches, etc are great examples. If you can find an influencer who fits your industry or niche, their audience will be an easy sell!
Fantastic Trust Signals:
Audiences tend to trust the influencers they follow, so when they are recommended a product or service, there is significantly less friction when buying.
What Are The Risks?
Unfortunately, plenty of influencer campaigns end up failing due to a host of reasons:
- Influencer marketing is still in its relative infancy. It is extremely disorganized. Many influencers represent themselves with little to no business experience
- There is no true way to accurately measure and track an influencer’s results. Even when promo codes specific to influencers are used, there is still plenty of runoffs from other buyers
- Influencers only work for very specific business niches. They need to have an audience that will relate to the product or service you are pushing.
Sometimes, Marketing Isn’t Enough: You Need An Accountant!
Marketing is the best way to generate new leads. But it’s what you do with the leads afterwards that determines your business’s success.
And sometimes, even an overwhelming amount of leads isn’t enough if your finances are in line.
You’ll need a trusted accountant by your side to ensure your budget is on track if you want to take your business and profits to the next level!
So what are you waiting for? Call our director today for your free strategy session!