Now let’s get to know our pin masters a little more. But before that, we’d just like to let you know that all these creators and more can be found on our Afluencer app. Registration is FREE. However, we recommend that you upgrade your membership to make the most of what our app has to offer.

Now, did someone say they wanted to meet some inspiring Pinterest influencers?

Julie Smeltzer

Born in Ukraine and now living in Hawaii, Julie Smeltzer helps busy working moms lessen their mental load and enjoy motherhood. As a military spouse, she is often solo parenting and has learned lots of tips. She has been using Pinterest since 2014 when she had a son, which allowed her years of organic growth. Most of her blog views come from her pins.

Content

Julie shares lifestyle content around motherhood in her pins and board, with lots of advice for working moms like herself. Her tips span across how to defeat overwhelm, reduce mental stress, be more organized, and thrive. This is something we can all benefit from, parents or not! Her pins come from blog posts, social media content, YouTube videos, and podcast episodes.

Julie enjoys sharing her journey as I figure out parenting while working full time and maintaining hobbies and personal identity. Her honest perspective and experiences are relatable, making her account a supportive resource.

Collabs

From sponsored pins to affiliate marketing to making boards for brands, there are many ways to collaborate with Julie. She often partners on giveaways, gift guides, email newsletters, social media crossposting, banner ads, and group boards. Julie’s account is wonderful for companies that offer products around working from home, creating activities for children, inspiring confidence, developing emotional balance, and anything else that elevates the working mom experience.

It’s helpful to note that a study by ComScore found that more than 80% of U.S. women ages 18-64 with children use Pinterest. This makes Pinterest accounts like Julie’s incredibly valuable to brands looking to Collab with influencers.

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Patricia Streeter

Patricia Streeter, the creative force behind the Pinterest board “Magnify Your Style,” isn’t just a fashion enthusiast – she’s a style connoisseur who believes that style isn’t confined to wardrobes; it’s woven into every aspect of our lives. Patricia’s board, initially a fashion haven, evolved into a multifaceted tapestry reflecting the essence of style in all its forms.

Content

On “Magnify Your Style,” expect more than just fashion inspiration – Patricia’s curated collection includes uplifting quotes and memes, offering a daily dose of positivity. Seamlessly blended with relatable parenting content and practical tips, her board becomes a go-to source for diverse, engaging content. We love Patricia’s ability to seamlessly weave one common idea- style – into every topic she covers on social media. Not many Pinfluencers can achieve this, proving that Patricia is truly one of a kind.

Venture onto Instagram, and you’ll uncover another side of Patricia. An aspiring chef and baker, she shares her culinary creations with a growing audience, showcasing passions beyond the realm of fashion. Patricia’s content radiates a singular message – style permeates every facet of our existence.

Collabs

Self-dubbed a lifestyle blogger, Patricia’s versatility extends to potential Collabs. Lifestyle influencers, like Patricia, have the unique ability to connect with a diverse audience on Pinterest and other platforms, making them ideal partners for brands seeking authentic engagement. If your brand aligns with Patricia’s dynamic content, the next natural step is collaboration. Take the initiative and reach out to her via our Afluencer platform – the beginning of what could be a mutually beneficial partnership awaits.

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Ashley Vanessa

Ashley Vanessa, the Pinfluencer extraordinaire, seamlessly weaves her love for fashion, gaming, and literature into a captivating tapestry on Pinterest.

Content

As a torchbearer of individual style, she doesn’t just create fashion content; she curates an experience. Her unique twist on fashion, aptly coined as gamer fashion, is a delightful fusion of her passions and personality.

Consistency is Ashley’s forte – there’s no ambiguity in her shares. Navigating through her boards is like strolling through a well-curated gallery of self-expression. What sets her apart is the genuine authenticity she exudes, becoming an inspiration for young women to embrace their true selves.

Ashley’s captions are a glimpse into her lively persona – short, sweet, and peppered with humor. Embracing imperfections, she once hilariously confessed to ashy knees in a photo, a charming reminder of her unapologetic authenticity.

Collabs

Ashley finds her niche in the vibrant realm of Pinterest, a platform celebrating uniqueness. It’s not just about pins and boards; it’s a celebration of individual quirks and traits. Collaborating with this Pinfluencer isn’t just a partnership; it’s a spotlight on your brand. With 80% of Pinners discovering new brands on Pinterest, the growth potential is immense.

Ashley Vanessa isn’t just a Pinfluencer; she’s the missing puzzle piece your brand has been seeking. A Collab with her promises not just visibility but an immersion into a world where fashion, gaming, and authenticity reign supreme. Reach out to her via the Afluencer platform and mark the beginnings of what we believe will be a fruitful partnership.

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Alyssa Goodell

​​In the heart of Canada, Alyssa Goodell wears multiple hats: a finance professional by day and a passionate Pinfluencer by night, diving into the realms of home decor, design, and DIY. Once a resident of a tiny home, Alyssa now channels her creativity into transforming their not-so-tiny house, living out her DIY and decor dreams.

Content

What we adore about Alyssa is her commitment to infusing her passions into her home, truly embodying her best life. TheGoodellLife, her Pinterest page, is a haven for decor and DIY enthusiasts. If you love flipping through home decor magazines, you are sure to love scrolling through Alyssa’s beauty of a Pinterest board. It’s a treasure trove of inspiration—DIY tips, progress snapshots of house renovations, design transformations, thoughtful gift ideas, and more. She certainly knows how to cover all you need to know about home decor and renovation.

Browsing through TheGoodellLife isn’t just a visual treat; it’s an invitation to explore your own DIY and decor skills. Alyssa’s authenticity shines through, making her projects seem attainable and relatable, not some over-the-top feats. Her down-to-earth approach draws in a diverse audience, making her a Pinfluencer with a broad appeal.

Collabs

For brands seeking Collab opportunities with Pinterest influencers with a knack for DIY, Alyssa presents a gold mine. Her engaging content and relatable style make her an ideal partner for those looking to connect with a wide audience. Don’t miss out on the chance to align your brand with Alyssa’s genuine and inspiring content. Reach out to her today, and let the Collab magic begin!

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Jennifer Costello

Meet Jennifer Costello, the delightful Pinterest pet influencer hailing from Ohio! With a wealth of knowledge drawn from her extensive veterinary background and 15 years of being a dedicated Newfie mom, Jennifer is your go-to source for all things Newfoundland dogs. Her passion for canine well-being shines through as she shares invaluable tips for ensuring a healthy and happy life for your furry friends. A healthy dog is a happy dog!

Content

Dive into Jennifer’s world of engaging content, where she not only imparts wisdom on maintaining your dog’s well-being but also serves up DIY dog fun to keep those tails wagging. From side-splitting dog anecdotes to an abundance of charming Newfies, her Pinterest board is a visual feast. Expect a delightful mix of dog treats, hilarious merchandise, and all things Newfie. If you’re a dog owner, especially of Newfies, make your way to “mybrownnewfies” on Pinterest.

Did you know that 85.9% of Pinterest users also use Instagram, making Instagram the biggest social media platform with the largest audience overlap with Pinterest? Jennifer is no exception, you can find her on both Instagram and Pinterest delivering highly entertaining content. Your brand can capitalize on this.

Collabs

For Collabs, Jennifer and her charismatic canines should top your list. Their captivating content is a surefire way to elevate your brand and capture the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. Seriously, there is nothing not to love here. Don’t miss out—invite Jennifer and her Newfies for a Collab that’s bound to leave tails wagging and your brand skyrocketing!

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Kianna Woods

Nestled in the vibrant city of Miami, meet the multifaceted force known as Kianna Woods, fondly recognized as kiannalakaye. This Miami-based entrepreneur and Realtor spotlighted on Instagram under @kiskeys, is not your typical Pinterest influencer. Kianna, a connoisseur of lifestyle, seamlessly weaves together threads of fashion, hair, beauty, food, travel, and a surprising passion for football. How does she manage it all? She’s an influencer who knows how to get things done.

Content

Embark on a journey through Kianna’s Pinterest board, where everyday moments unfold, from casual grocery shopping to the glamour of a “Get Ready With Me” session or a full-on photoshoot or the simplicity of grabbing coffee. It’s more than just content; it’s a window into Kianna’s world, inviting you to connect with her authenticity. It’s the mixture of both simple and glam moments that make Kianna relatable. She’s also showing all women that you can do it all if you want to.

Collabs

Beyond her captivating content, Kianna’s diverse interests open doors for collaborative opportunities that transcend boundaries. Whether your brand aligns with fashion, travel, or any facet of her eclectic tastes, the possibilities are limitless. Kianna Woods is not just a Pinfluencer; she’s an inspiration hub waiting to elevate your brand.

So, why wait? Take the plunge and reach out to Kianna for a Collab that has the potential to redefine the game for your brand. The fusion of her dynamic interests promises a Collab as unique and vibrant as the Miami backdrop she calls home.

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Andrea Ibarra

Meet Andrea Ibarra, the vibrant flight attendant based in the heart of New York, whose passion for travel extends beyond the clouds. Not just a profession but a true calling, Andrea has seamlessly blended her role as a Pinterest travel content creator with her heartfelt mission to share the sheer joy of exploration with everyone.

Content

Beyond the confines of her aircraft, Andrea is on a mission to make travel accessible to all. Her Pinterest board, aptly named travelsbyandrea, is a visual feast of affordable travel tips and inspiration that will have you reaching for your passport in no time. Each pin tells a story of picturesque destinations that beckon with the allure of a movie scene.

Browsing through Andrea’s board isn’t just a visual delight; it’s a journey through positivity. In a world where social media can be overwhelming, Andrea’s curated content stands out, radiating good vibes that resonate with the 80% of Pinterest users who find the platform to be a haven of positivity. Pinterest is a rare breed when it comes to social media platforms, where Andrea and our other influencers truly maximize their potential to bring some joy into our lives.

Collabs

For brands in the realm of travel, a Collab with Andrea is the key to unlocking a world of positive engagement. Imagine your brand becoming a beacon of good vibes, as Andrea seamlessly integrates it into her travel narrative. With Andrea, consider your Collab visa approved, ready to embark on a journey of spreading joy and wanderlust to audiences far and wide.

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Ariel Meyer

Meet Ariel Meyer, the vibrant Pinterest content creator weaving a tapestry of fashion, photography, and lifestyle content from the scenic landscapes of both San Diego and Washington DC. With a heart entwined with the beauty of the ocean side in San Diego and the charm of the valley area in Washington DC, Ariel’s content is a visual journey through the soul of two distinct locales.

Content

What began as a simple desire to share captivating images has blossomed into an artful fusion of style and aesthetics. Ariel’s journey from picturesque snapshots to a curated blend of fashion and photography is a testament to her evolving creativity. Her fashion-forward posts, coupled with her impeccable photography skills, beckon you into a world where each image tells a story. Boy are we glad she decided to take her content creation to the next level!

Ariel’s ability to find beauty in the ordinary is truly enchanting. Whether it’s capturing the delicate petals of flowers, the inviting ambiance of a street cafe, or the soft morning sunlight kissing her desk, her lens transforms the mundane into the extraordinary. In every frame, there’s an unmistakable touch of inspiration that resonates with her audience.

Collabs

For those in search of a Pinterest fashion content creator, Ariel should be your first choice. Her content is a visual feast, with an aesthetic that reflects her keen eye for photography. From runway-worthy fashion choices to the subtle elegance of everyday moments, Ariel Meyer’s Pinterest is a delightful showcase of creativity and style.

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Dennis Littley

If you’re truly looking for achievable cooking content, Chef Dennis Littley is your go-to foodie. Based in Florida, he aims to help others feel excited and confident about meal prep through easy and tasty restaurant-style recipes. His charming, authentic approach will help you believe that you can make anything you see on his Pinterest.

Content

Making mouthwatering meals like a pro with ease is Dennis’ specialty. His loveable style spans recipes, cooking tips, and FAQs. And every once in a while, he shares his travel adventures too. His content is especially timely since it can help pinners recreate restaurant experiences at home.

Collabs

Some of Dennis’s previous partnerships as a Pinterest influencer include Humana and Karo Syrup. These collaborations panned out through social campaigns, video productions, live cooking demos, and event appearances. Food, beverage, appliance companies, and any brands that make it easy to excel in the kitchen could benefit from Dennis’ professional and natural approach to content. He’d be especially great for partners in need of recipe development and food plating techniques from influencers on Pinterest.

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Betul Yildiz

Turkey native Betul Yildiz is the founder of a New York-based fashion technology and lifestyle blog, which she began in 2014 to improve her English. Just a few years later she was featured in Elle USA’s article about menswear-inspired style as one of four finalists from a pool of 550.

An equally impressive factoid about Betul is that she’s been using Pinterest since it was founded. This leads to a lot of platform knowledge as it’s evolved over the years. Her boards cover fashion, lifestyle, travel, and home decor. Like many of the other influencers on this list, a huge percentage of her blog’s traffic derives from Pinterest.

Content

Betul pins a lot of original content, including photos she takes, graphic images she makes, and videos. She often shares content from her blog posts and social media too. Her account feels very authentic and positive, and her audience loves to see what she’s wearing. As stated in her Elle feature, “Fashion is a playground, and I would like to be as free as I possibly can”.

Collabs

Since doing her first paid partnership in 2011, Betul has been a brand ambassador for companies like Blackberry and collaborated with brands like Rodan + Fields. She also does affiliate campaigns, which tend to do very well on her Pinterest. Companies looking for influencers who encourage their communities to take ownership of their interests and visualize their highest selves would benefit from working with Betul via her stylish recommendations.

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Courtney Brady

With a home base in Washington, Courtney Brady shares her journey while living overseas and traveling the world. She is passionate about inspiring others to be brave enough to create a life they love, care for the planet, and educate themselves about holistic health. Ultimately, her inspirational account encourages people (especially women) to make the most out of life through self-acceptance and courage.

Pinterest has had a special place in Courtney’s life for many years, as she enjoys searching for it herself. She spends time learning how to best utilize the platform to grow her brand, so she’s a wealth of knowledge for partners who want to thrive there too.

Content

Courtney loves creating eye-catching travel and health-related pins that link to her blog, which started about 5 years ago when she began traveling. She also enjoys re-pinning content around mindfulness and being your highest self.

Collabs

While she’s yet to complete an influencer marketing campaign exclusive to Pinterest, Courtney has done some blog collaborations that incorporated pins to drive more traffic to the post. This is a great way for brands to get more eyeballs on sponsored content. Since she’s a pro at instilling knowledge and confidence in others, Courtney would be a great fit for supplements, skincare, fitness, and of course travel-related products and services.

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Dalene Ekirapa

Californian Dalene Ekirapa is an enthusiastic lifestyle blogger who enjoys dressing up and being intentional about skincare and wellness. She’s also passionate about recipes, travel, and adventure experiences. She enjoys sharing home decor and gardening ideas as a professional interior designer.

Content

Dalene runs two brands: one centered around women’s fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, and the other about food, travel, and home decor. Both are dedicated to providing lifestyle inspiration and motivation. Her content is beautifully curated and showcases her style, which helps users shop for looks and dream up ideas to implement.

Collabs

The largest traffic source for Dalene’s blog is Pinterest. So if you’re looking for influencers to work their magic with Pinterest the way Dalene does, then connect with her today! She’s a great pinner to partner with for “inspo” content, which could mean curating a shared board, sponsoring specific pins, or coordinating brand takeovers. Home good brands, skincare, fashion, and travel companies alike could Collab with Dalence to help others determine who they want to be and what they want to create in their lives.

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Diane Coletta

Originally from a small town in Kansas, Diane Coletta moved to Paris, France in 2015 to follow her dream of living in the city of lights. With a height of 4’11, Diane loves to provide fashion insights for other petite women and showcase her unique style.

Content

It’s like out of a TV scene: Diane’s content career began over a glass of wine in front of the fireplace while discussing future life plans with her closest friend. And now, reminiscent of the hit Netflix show Emily in Paris, Diane adores documenting her fashionable experience living abroad. Her posts cover photogenic restaurants, elegant Paris experiences, and beauty secrets. You’ll find her pinning several times a day as she soaks in the stunning scenery.

Her Pinterest is like a virtual vision board for travel and outfit inspiration. She has quite the aesthetic with stand-out images that will make anyone yearning to travel (when the world allows).

Collabs

Diane has worked with several high-end and well-known brands including Dior, Christian Louboutin, the Tourism Board of Paris, NARS, and Laura Mercier. She’s a great fit for airlines and hotels, especially those that want to help pinners plan a vacation (no matter how far in the future that may be). Financial services companies could also partner with her to share budgeting tips for traveling and living abroad (especially if you’re wondering how to dress like Emily in Paris on a budget).

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Cindy Batchelor

Based in Utah, Cindy Batchelor is a full-time lifestyle blogger with an MS in Psychology counseling. She creates well-written, creative posts and has uploaded over 200 enthusiastic videos to her YouTube channel. Her blog was named one of Huffington Post’s Top 31 Up and Coming Blogs to Follow.

Content

Cindy pins about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle with a focus on personal styling. Her boards are a great place to build clothing wishlists and develop a visual identity. She also posts lots of sales and discounts to help her community find the best prices.

Collabs

Partnering with Cindy is a wise choice for lifestyle, beauty, and fashion brands. Especially after Pinterest announced a feature that uses augmented reality to let pinners “try on” the items they see in Product Pins. Businesses with a product catalog can request to try this Pinterest feature and then collaborate with influencers and creators like Cindy. Plus, according to Pinterest’s best practices, pins that show someone using a product or service are much more likely to drive offline sales.

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Interested in a Partnership with Pinterest Influencers?

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]]> https://afluencer.com/using-influencers-for-live-shopping/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:52:02 +0000 https://afluencer.com/?p=23605 Convenience is the new currency in today’s digital-first era. Customers expect to get what they want when they want while having a seamless and engaging shopping experience. Here’s where live shopping comes into the picture. The COVID-fueled rise of online shopping has forced brands to think outside the box and offer additional, more engaging channels. […]

The post How to Leverage Influencers in Your Live Shopping Efforts appeared first on AFLUENCER.

]]> Convenience is the new currency in today’s digital-first era. Customers expect to get what they want when they want while having a seamless and engaging shopping experience. Here’s where live shopping comes into the picture.

The COVID-fueled rise of online shopping has forced brands to think outside the box and offer additional, more engaging channels. While live shopping has been around for decades, the latest advancements in technology and the penetration of social media propelled its growth, making it an important tool in every marketer’s toolbox.

Now, brands are grappling with the question: How can we cater to customers’ needs and make the most of live shopping? Enter influencer marketing. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits and best practices of live shopping. And also share a step-by-step guide to help you leverage influencers in your efforts.

What is Live Shopping?

Live shopping (live selling and livestreaming commerce) uses video content on digital and social platforms to promote or sell products and services in real-time. Brands use live shopping to interact with their customers and present products in a dynamic, contextual format. In some cases, they partner with influencers who run the livestreams and try to boost sales thanks to their popularity and existing audiences who trust their reputations.

The roots of this concept date back to the ‘80s and home shopping channels on TV. Today, this format has shifted to a digital context, allowing more interactive communications thanks to new platforms and social media. As a result, users can engage with the seller and almost instantly purchase any offer, greatly facilitating a more straightforward buying process.

The Rise of Live Shopping

Live shopping is (and has been) extremely popular in China for many years now. According to eMarketer’s forecast, live shopping will account for 19.2% of retail ecommerce sales in China this year. Total sales will rise from $562.62 billion in 2023 to $843.93 billion in 2025.

Outside of China, there’s no doubt the pandemic accelerated the growth of live shopping. Data from McKinsey shows the pandemic prompted a surge of new consumer activities, with an astonishing 75% of US consumers trying a new shopping behavior in response to economic pressures.

The COVID-related shutdowns and quarantines were strong catalysts for pushing innovation around new ways of shopping. And once people experienced the convenience of live shopping, there was no going back. In fact, the US livestream commerce market is estimated to hit $25 billion by 2023, according to Coresight Research.

When looking at the various categories where live shopping has found a foothold, the verticals where brands have found success seem to vary based on geographic location. However, one category that stands out as successful within the live shopping context across different countries is clothing. According to McKinsey, clothing was the most popular live shopping category in Europe, the United States, and Latin America.

Why brands are investing in live shopping

The next question is: What makes brands invest in live shopping?

Looking at results from Statista, more than half (52%) of global businesses using live shopping said they looked to improve the shopping experience and generate customer engagement and feedback (aside from the most obvious use case: to generate revenue.)

Other reasons for investing in live shopping include:

• following the latest digital trends (47%)
• customer acquisition (41%)
• collaboration with influencers(41%)
• co-branding with suppliers and brands (36%)

Publicis is one agency testing live shopping with its clients. In an article from Modern Retail, Allysun Lundy, the VP head of retail media strategy at Publicis Commerce, said:

“Consumers are going to log in and watch [a livestream], versus going to… spend a lot of time on Amazon or Walmart and not have it feel so sales-y that it really drives that conversion.”

Translation: Brands are looking into live shopping as a more engaging, human-first way to sell to shoppers, in a format that’s more frictionless, more user-friendly, and overall, more fun.

The profile of buyers interested in live shopping

Consumers who are interested in live shopping have a few things in common. These commonalities are important for brands looking to capture a specific demographic of shoppers, as this avenue for driving revenue is still new and largely underutilized. There’s a real opportunity for brands to get ahead of the curve with this emerging medium for sales.

Based on demographic data, McKinsey explored a few patterns and behaviors and found the average age of live shoppers globally averaged between 33 and 36 years old. Shoppers aged 25 to 34 made up the largest share of frequent live shopping users. This means brands looking to connect with Gen Z and Millennials should seriously consider live shopping to drive sales.

Men and women are nearly equal participants in live shopping, with only slight variations on that theme. Looking at the income ranges of average participants, most in the US and Europe had incomes between $25,000 and $50,000. For brands that have this segment of the population as target consumers, live shopping presents a new way to connect with and inspire shoppers (men and women!) who want a more engaging shopping experience.

7 Benefits of Live Shopping for Brands

Marketers are in a race to keep up with channel-hopping customers. Brands are constantly struggling to stay in step and engage them across all platforms. Competition for consumer attention has become more intense in recent years. Consumer attention spans are at an all-time low.

The good news? Live shopping is an engaging way to meet shoppers where they are in real-time and brings key benefits for brands looking to introduce new shopping touchpoints.

A few of them:

1. Raise brand awareness

The first step to convincing customers to buy from you is getting brand awareness. Live shopping has the power to reach a broad audience and help brands get bigger exposure.

2. Offer exclusive discounts

There’s no way around it—customers love discounts. According to Statista, one of the main benefits of livestream shopping was the possibility to access exclusive deals.

3. Help customers make informed decisions

The format of live shopping makes it easy to answer customers’ questions and boost their confidence. Statista shows that 31% of respondents said this purchasing channel enabled them to shop smarter and make more informed buying decisions.

4. Create a personal relationship with your customers

With customer acquisition costs on the rise, brands are looking for ways to create long-term relationships with customers. Here’s where live shopping can help. The two-way communication creates a sense of personal relationship, which leads to getting loyal customers.

5. Lower your return rates

Another big headache for brands is product returns. According to Coresight data, live shoppers are 40% less likely to return an item than other online shoppers.

6. Broadcast to more channels

Brands are always looking for new touchpoints. Nearly six in 10 companies use owned platforms for live streaming to broadcast to more channels and extend their reach, shows Coresight data.

7. Boost your conversion rates

Increasing conversions is one of the top priorities for ecommerce brands. With live shopping, conversion rates are as high as 40%, according to Mary Ghahremani, CEO of live video e-commerce platform provider Bambuser.

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5 Live Shopping Best Practices

Most of the brands that are still on the fence about using live shopping think it’s too complicated to start. Quite the contrary: introducing live shopping doesn’t need to feel daunting. You just need to go through the common steps and best practices and just start. After that, you’ll be able to learn from experience and improve for the next live shopping event. Here are five best practices to keep in mind:

1. Choose a platform

First things first: When choosing a platform, think about your goals. If you want to reach a bigger audience, social media might be a wise choice. As it offers an opportunity to co-market live shopping events with partners while leveraging your existing owned audience. If you’re looking for more control and customization over the live shopping experience, you may want to opt into a different avenue outside of platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Here’s some more context to help you figure out what makes sense for your needs.

Social media

Businesses just tipping their toes into live shopping can start small on social media to test the waters. The options are vast.

For example, TikTok has extended its ecommerce capabilities by introducing a feature that lets brands easily incorporate products from their TikTok Shopping experience into a live session. YouTube has partnered with Shopify, allowing merchants to import products from their catalog. Pinterest has also jumped on the bandwagon, introducing Pinterest TV—a curated series of live, original, and shoppable episodes.

Third-party platforms

Brands can also rely on third-party platforms to promote their products with live shopping. These options allow for a more customized experience with advanced features that go beyond what social media platforms offer. Startups like Popshop Live, Buywith, and TalkShopLive, for example, have gained consumer and investor interest in recent years, leading to the expansion of their offerings.

One of the most popular platforms, however, is Amazon Live. Brands selling on Amazon can use live shopping to promote their products and reach more customers with live events where products are showcased in great detail (in a style similar to what we see on a shopping channel like QVC or HSN). Below the live stream, there’s a carousel with the products promoted in the live stream. This allows customers to buy the products they see in use during the live product demo.

An owned live shopping platform

Brands that want to embrace the power of live shopping fully (and have the resources to do so) may choose to create their own versions of a live shopping experience. When companies run live shows on their own websites and apps, they gain access to extensive customer data and comprehensive insights into consumer behavior.

Using this data, they can better understand consumer needs and optimize live shopping experiences, along with the overall customer journey. As a result, brands can drive innovation in their products and marketing strategies. Some of the tools and platforms that allow you to create your own live shopping experience include Bambuser, Livescale, Emplifi, and others.

2. Create a content theme

Once you decide on the platform, it’s time to think about the type of content you want to present. Here are some ideas to get your creative gears turning:

• Exclusive deals and promotions: Offer live shopping participants exclusive discounts and perks they can’t earn through any other medium.
• How-to/demos: Show your products in action so buyers see the benefits, features, and outcomes in a dynamic, visual context.
• Question-and-answer sessions: Provide expert insights into how buyers can get the most out of your products and troubleshoot any questions that may be keeping an interested buyer from following through on the purchase.
• Unveiling of new products: Introduce and make a splash around new product announcements with live events that help build excitement around launch dates.

3. Engage with your audience

What makes live shopping so effective is its ability to foster two-way communication between a brand and its buyers. During live shopping events, address attendees by name, interact with real-time chat and attendee feedback, and allow participants to ask questions. Customers love being heard and appreciated. Live shopping is an opportunity to engage with your audience in an authentic way.

4. Decide on the best timing

Half the battle of hosting successful events is choosing the optimal time. According to McKinsey, the timing of live shows is the most significant barrier to growth in Europe (cited by 29%), the United States (32% of respondents), and Latin America (44%).

If you are unsure of the best timing for your audience, experiment with different days and times to go live. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, so you’ll need to do some trial and error.

5. Partner with influencers

Influencers are ideally situated to be part of live shopping campaigns. They are used to talking live on their social media. And thanks to their experience with live streams, they can create a pleasant and authentic experience for your customers.

On top of that, customers trust product recommendations from influencers. So including them in your live shopping events won’t create a sense of aggressive selling but rather a ‘favorites’ video from an influencer they follow. To find an ideal partner, check out options on a platform like Afluencer where you can sort influencers by location, area of focus, age, and more.

Influencer Marketing and Live Shopping — a Match Made in Heaven

Influencers are ideal partners for brands looking to engage in live shopping efforts for many reasons, including their established influence, ability to leverage storytelling, their eye for content creation, and their level of comfort being on-camera.

But that’s not all. More advantages of combining influencer marketing and live shopping include:

• Niche audiences – If you are working in a specific niche and you are having a hard time reaching your audience, live shopping combined with influencer marketing might be the perfect fit for you. The influencer marketing space is constantly evolving. As reported by Influencer Marketing Hub, brands prefer working with smaller-scale influencers — 39% of brands chose nano-influencers as their most likely partners, followed by 30% opting for micro-influencers. This allows brands to target a niche audience while getting all the benefits that influencer marketing brings.
• Trust – Influencers have gained the trust and credibility of their followers, which makes their recommendations highly influential. Partnering with the right influencers can improve your brand’s reputation and credibility. On top of all the benefits of working with influencers, brands also get to leverage the relationship influencers have with their audience. Instead of starting from scratch or relying on your audience only, working with influencers will put your brand in front of a new audience.
• Creativity – When you rely on your team to organize and host a live shopping event, you do all the heavy lifting. Partnering with influencers means you can focus on the technical stuff and let influencers take over the creative part. It’s a win-win.

How to Leverage Influencers in Your Live Shopping Streams: a Step-by-Step Guide

Live shopping is set to disrupt e-commerce. Brands that know how to use it will have a massive first-mover advantage. Whether you are just starting out or you want to improve your live shopping efforts, here is a step-by-step guide on how to leverage influencers in your live shopping streams:

Find the right influencers

If you’ve ever tried reaching out to influencers, you know how hard it is to find the ones that fit your business. The good news is that you can use influencer management software to scale influencer marketing efforts. 

Tools like Afluencer help you find the right creators, manage your budget effectively, track your campaign’s performance, analyze results, and optimize your influencer marketing strategy. This way, you can achieve your goals while building lasting relationships with influencers.

Send products to influencers

If you want an authentic impression of your products instead of a scripted narrative, you should send out the products to the influencers prior to the live shopping event so that they can have a chance to test them out beforehand. This will ensure that the influencers have enough time to try your products. And then use the live event to highlight the advantages compared to similar products.

Organize a giveaway ahead of the livestream

Another best practice to generate excitement and anticipation for your upcoming live shopping event is collaborating with an influencer to organize a giveaway. By leveraging the social reach and credibility of the influencers you partner with, you can effectively engage your audience and generate buzz around the event, ultimately leading to increased attendance and engagement.

Share an event-exclusive discount code

Boost sales during a live shopping stream by providing influencers with an exclusive, influencer-specific discount code that’s only usable during the live event. This can incentivize the influencer’s followers to take swift action and make a purchase so they don’t miss out on the limited-time offer. To top it off, you’ll be able to easily flag sales that came in as a result of the live shopping stream to measure the effectiveness of the engagement.

Allow influencers to get creative

When working with influencers, communicate the core product features and benefits you want them to share and talk about. However, granting them creative freedom to showcase the product in their distinctive style is crucial. By finding a balance between guidance and artistic license, you can ensure that your product is presented in the best light possible while still enabling the influencer to add their personal touch.

Repurpose content to maximize the effect

To make the most of live shopping, it’s important to repurpose content even after the live event has ended. You can achieve this by using video cuts to promote content on various social media channels. Influencers can also share the video content on their platforms. Additionally, you can create time-limited offers that customers can use after the live stream. Remember, live shopping should be an ongoing effort to maximize its impact.

Use the Power of Influencer Marketing for Your Next Live Shopping Stream

Live shopping is on a quest to become mainstream. The drastic shift to online shopping has cemented new customers’ habits and expectations. But the pandemic only accelerated the inevitable.

The digital-first era, fueled by advanced technologies, will further speed up the adoption of new shopping formats. Live shopping is no exception. It boils down to this:

Live shopping allows brands to offer an interactive and immediate shopping experience that traditional marketing cannot match.

The best part? You can elevate your live shopping by combining it with influencer marketing.

Ready to start? Install the Afluencer app for Shopify here.

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]]> https://afluencer.com/the-importance-of-a-cross-channel-social-media-strategy/ Thu, 10 Sep 2020 16:19:43 +0000 https://afluencer.com/?p=6194 The world of influencer marketing is fast-paced and at times unpredictable as 2020 has undoubtedly shown us. At the beginning of the year, TikTok was on the rise as the most popular and fastest-growing platform. It was being lauded as the next ‘big thing’ and now it is being banned in countries around the world. […]

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]]> The world of influencer marketing is fast-paced and at times unpredictable as 2020 has undoubtedly shown us. At the beginning of the year, TikTok was on the rise as the most popular and fastest-growing platform. It was being lauded as the next ‘big thing’ and now it is being banned in countries around the world. This situation only serves to further illustrate the importance of investing in a cross-channel social media strategy rather than focusing all of your efforts in one place.

Consumers Splitting Time Between Multiple Social Media Platforms

However, having a strong brand presence on more than one social media platform goes beyond the need to have a backup plan in case one of your main channels runs into trouble. Today, not only are people spending more time than ever on social media, but more and more consumers are choosing to split their ‘social media time’ between different platforms. Thus engaging in a broader spectrum of entertainment, rather than staying confined to one form of social media.

Influencers have taken note of this trend, and are expanding their presence on multiple channels. One of the advantages is that it increases their earning potential, as many brands have seen the possibility of reaching a wider audience by collaborating with these influencers.

Choosing The Right Platform for your Cross Channel Social Media Strategy

If so far you’ve mostly stuck to one platform, it’s time to consider expanding the number of channels you use. However, before you jump in, it’s important to make sure that the new platforms you’re considering are the right fit for your brand.

Luckily, there is plenty of different social media platforms available to choose from. Even though some seem similar, each platform has a different style and a variety of opportunities to offer creators. The main thing to consider when choosing a new channel isn’t necessarily what the most popular platform is at the moment. Rather, do some research into the platforms your audience already uses. Chances are that’s where you will find the most success.

Facebook and Instagram are the current social media giants. It’s likely that you already have a presence if not on both, then on at least one of these platforms. After all, Instagram influencers are an entire world in their own right. It’s not uncommon to hear about Instafamous influencers who have achieved their immense following solely through Instagram.

Facebook seemed as though it was on its way out. However, its live-streaming features contributed to its boost in popularity in 2020. This type of live and unfiltered content quickly became one of the most popular content formats. Especially during the lockdown months.

Your Target Audience Matters

YouTube is another platform that you must not overlook when implementing a cross-channel social strategy. Especially if you’re target audience skews younger. TikTok proved itself as a worthy adversary in a very short time. However, its uncertain future means that the video streaming giant is still one of the best choices for content creators looking to connect with a new audience.

How about that new audio-only platform, Clubhouse? If your target audience leans more towards audio content rather than video, then Clubhouse may very well be your go-to platform.

Is your personal brand less about the ‘influencer’ and more about the ideas they bring forward? Then Pinterest could be the ideal platform to add to your list for your cross-channel social media strategy. In addition to being idea-focused, Pinterest is a fantastic place to drive sales. Improving your chances of sealing the deal with brands looking to reach an audience interested in purchasing their products.

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]]> https://afluencer.com/why-pinterest-influencers-should-be-a-part-of-your-marketing-mix/ Sun, 12 Jul 2020 18:00:35 +0000 https://afluencer.com/?p=4601 It enjoys a strong following, hence it doesn’t come as a surprise that there are more than 500,000 businesses marketing on Pinterest. However, sadly, it does not appear to be on the list of best platforms for influencer marketing. While Instagram and Facebook are good for influencer marketing, they may not be enough because a […]

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It enjoys a strong following, hence it doesn’t come as a surprise that there are more than 500,000 businesses marketing on Pinterest. However, sadly, it does not appear to be on the list of best platforms for influencer marketing.

While Instagram and Facebook are good for influencer marketing, they may not be enough because a lot of people who use Pinterest are not active on other social media platforms.

Plus, it’s proven to be more effective than Twitter and other platforms. Pinterest pins are 100x more spreadable than tweets. Moreover, pins are said to have a 1,6000x longer half-life than Facebook posts.

This is mainly because competition on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram is very stiff. Despite being big, Pinterest is largely overlooked, which presents businesses with a great marketing opportunity.

More than 25% of online traffic is social. Plus, social media doesn’t only help generate more traffic but it can also improve SEO, improve customer satisfaction, and make more sales.

In this article, we’ll talk about the importance of partnering with Pinterest influencers and why it should be a part of your marketing mix.

Let’s get started:

Why Work with Pinterest Influencers?

Here’s why you should consider hiring Pinterest influencers for your marketing campaign:

Popular Among Decision Makers

There was a time when Pinterest was considered a social media platform for females, however, things have now changed and 71% of its 320 million active users are female.

It reaches 83% of women aged 25-54 in the US. This figure is very important because 80% of the buying decisions are made by this group in the country. They have a lot of power when it comes to making purchases and businesses know that.

About 85% of these women use Pinterest to plan important life moments such as birthdays. On the other hand, only 44% of Instagram users and 53% of Facebook users use these respective platforms for the same reason.

Dads Love It, Too

Only about 20% of Pinterest users are male, and most of them are dads who use the platform to plan, research, and shop for fatherhood.

About 82% of these users say they actively look for new products on Pinterest. The platform saw a 450% increase in DIY projects in 2018.

This information is very important when strategizing Pinterest marketing campaigns because dads are 1.2x more likely to look for certain products including healthy recipes. They use the search feature instead of regular scrolling and are 3x more likely to have shared boards.

Heaven for Sellers

Pinterest is a ‘photo-sharing’ social media channel but it offers more than just that. About 89% of Pinners (what they call Pinterest users) in the US use it to find inspiration and about 47% use the platform with the intention to buy.

This is why it is 4x more effective at generating sales than other social media channels. Pinterest now offers more ways to shop within the app. Brands can upload full catalogs and add availability and pricing info to help buyers make a purchase.

A Lot of Time for the Platform

The average Pinner spends about 14.2 minutes on the app per session. They are often highly engaging and most find it highly positive. This is different from Instagram, a platform that tends to negatively influence people.

Most users check the app multiple times a day and are appreciative of its personalization features.

Brands and Pinterest Influencers: Some Examples

Here are some real-life examples of how brands collaborate with Pinterest influencers for marketing:

• How Target Expanded Expanded Its Reach

All kinds of brands are on Pinterest, including major names like Target. In fact, Target had a difficult time on Pinterest until it hired the services of influencers to increase their reach and find more followers. However, Target didn’t do it the traditional way.

The company’s success story is well documented. It reached out to pinners and invited them to jump the bandwagon and create products for the brand.

• How ModCloth Started a Chain Reaction

There are advantages of joining hands with a leader, i.e.: an influencer. People are naturally bound to follow leaders and online giant ModCloth seems to know that quite well.

The company counted on influencers to reach a wider Pinterest audience. ModCloth started a contest and offered nice prizes to participants. The contest was a digital scavenger hunt. Users had to pin images that matched elements of a specific theme (wedding).

The contest turned out to be a huge success, and hundreds of users jumped at the opportunity to get their hands on ‘free’ goodies.

This resulted in a chain reaction and the brand soon received thousands of new followers and generated more business.

About 28% of businesses are already on Pinterest but very few currently use influencers to market their products and services.

How to Get Organic Traffic from Pinterest?

Pinterest is a great way to increase traffic to your site. Here’s how:

• Create Interesting Pins

Like any visual platform, this is a quick and reliable way to generate curiosity and increase engagement.

• Don’t Be Afraid of Adding a CTA

While Pinterest allows brands to include in-app product details, there’s no harm in adding a CTA and telling people exactly what you want them to do.

• Remember the Importance of Keywords

This may sound odd to some users but keywords matter on Pinterest since a large percentage of users ‘search’ for what they need instead of going through random feeds.

• Know When to Post

Fridays and Saturdays are the best times to make new posts on Pinterest. Sundays do not do well and weekdays usually work during 8-11 pm.

• Make Use of Rich Pins

In addition to traditional pins, you can utilize Rich Pins. They provide more information about an idea to help retain and win users.

• Remember That It Takes Time

Whether you have a Pinterest influencer helping with marketing or not, it’s important to remember that things take time. Continue to put your best foot forward and you will eventually find good results.

Niches that Work Well on Pinterest

You will find a variety of posts on Pinterest; nonetheless, some niches do better than others. Here they are:

• Home Décor

It’s believed that about 40% of users on Pinterest plan to purchase a home or improve what they already have, hence it doesn’t come as a surprise that this niche is among the top charters.

• Fashion and Beauty

While Instagram tops the list when it comes to fashion and beauty, Pinterest isn’t far behind. Makeup brands love to use Pinterest for marketing purposes. Many Pinterest influencers work in the fashion and beauty niche to help brands reach a wider audience.

• Travel

Looking for travel goals? A lot of travel influencers create content on Pinterest, posting stunning images to help users find their next travel destination.

• Hobbies

About 80% of Pinterest users are on the platform to find things to do. This is a huge niche with great potential.

• DIY and Crafts

You will find a lot of kids’ DIY projects on the platform. Dads and mums look for such pins, which is why you will find several Pinterest influencers in this niche.

• Technology

Some experts believe Pinterest to be a good option to find the latest happenings in the world of technology. Tech brands mostly take advantage of Pinterest to directly sell to consumers.

• Finance and Investment

A large number of men and women follow Pinterest influencers to find reliable financial advice. So expect to find plenty of financial pins.

• Food and Drink

Pinterest might not be the number one source for food and drink news. But it still deserves to be on the list since a lot of food influencers are on Pinterest. You will find recipes, drool-worthy images, and reviews pinned on the app.

• Education

This niche appears to be doing very well on the platform. Mums, dads, and teens use Pinterest to learn more about college education, projects, essays, and other educational topics. Perfect opportunity for education brands to promote their products/services with the help of influencers.

• Health and Fitness

Pinterest users may not be as health-conscious as Facebook users. Yet there are influencers working in the health and fitness niche to educate Pinterest users about the importance of staying healthy.

Whether you’re interested in hiring Pinterest influencers for your marketing campaign or looking to be a Pinterest influencer, your journey starts here.

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