Alexis Kestler
Influencer marketing has seen a major shift towards micro influencers in recent years. As opposed to celebs or bloggers with millions of followers, micro influencers usually have between 10,000-100,000 engaged followers in a specific niche. And brands are taking notice – micro influencer marketing budgets now take up a larger slice of the pie.
So how can you take advantage of this trend as a micro influencer? This guide will walk you through the basics and top money making techniques to monetize your influence.
Who Counts as a Micro Influencer?
First, let‘s clarify the different tiers of influencers by follower count:
- Mega: 1 million+ followers
- Macro: 100k-1 million followers
- Micro: 10k-100k followers
- Nano: 1k-10k followers
Micro influencers sit right in the middle – large enough to have influence, but small enough to still be approachable and niche. Their niche expertise and connection to their audience make them the rising star for brands versus celebrities.
How to Build Credibility as a Micro Influencer
Before making money, you need to establish credibility and value. Here are 3 key elements:
1. Produce High-Quality Content
Upload clear, visually appealing photos and videos that align with your niche. Use captions that educate or entertain your audience. Brands will evaluate your content and production value before partnering.
2. Engage Your Audience
Building genuine connections and repeat engagements is vital. Respond to questions in comments or DMs. Ask followers questions. Share user generated content or industry news. Post consistently in your niche and at optimal times.
3 Good Examples of micro-influencer and brand collaborations
Popular Ways for Micro Influencers to Make Money
Once you‘ve built a solid foundation, here are proven money making techniques to try:
1. Sponsored Posts
Also known as sponsored or branded content. Brands pay you to create a post promoting their product/service or featuring it organically. Make sure to follow FTC disclosure guidelines.
2. Brand Ambassador Programs
Become an ongoing representative. You‘ll often receive free products to feature across posts. For conversions driven, you may earn commission or rewards.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products from brands with affiliate programs. Use your special link and earn commission from sales or signups generated. Many niches like fashion, beauty or travel have great affiliate opportunities.
4. Sell Photos and Videos
Travel influencers or photographers can sell prints or licenses. Stock image sites also offer options to earn royalties on downloads.
Examples of Micro Influencer Campaigns
Michelob Ultra partnered with a golf micro influencer to promote their beer to his niche audience. The video reached 31.5k plays – that‘s quality awareness boosting on a modest budget.
Sperry shoes convinced over 100 nano influencers to create user generated content featuring their boat shoes authentically. Their highest engagement came from @slavatheshrimp‘s (just 4k followers) creative post.
Tips for Brands Working With Micro Influencers
The key takeaway – micro and nano influencers can provide value and conversions cost effectively. Here are tips for getting started:
- Test small with various micro influencers in your niche before scaling up
- Give creative freedom to micro influencers to keep content authentic
- Develop long term partnerships focusing on ambassador relationships
The Future of Micro Influencer Marketing
As social media matures, marketers are wising up to the power of relevance over sheer numbers. There‘s tremendous potential for micro influencers as brands redirect budgets to niche partnerships.
Now is the time to start building your influence as a micro leader in your field. Follow these money making tips and watch your earnings grow!
