"It doesn't matter how big or small your brand is, everyone can benefit from influencers." Daphne Leblanc

An influencer is defined as a person with the power to affect purchase decisions of others because of his/her authority, knowledge, position, or relationship. An influencer can also be defined as someone who has access to a large number of people and can persuade them. Influencers are powerful because they have built relationships with their followers. These followers trust the influencer and look to him/her for recommendations on what to buy, where to go, or what to do.

Most influencers are active on social media, particularly Instagram and YouTube. We see influencers in all sorts of industries from travel influencers who share their photos and videos from around the world to beauty influencers who give tips on makeup application and review products. And there are even dog influencers! Brands work with influencers because they know that influencers have the power to reach a large number of people and influence their purchase decisions.

An influencer program is a campaign or initiative undertaken by a brand to identify, engage, and work with influencers. The goal of an influencer program is usually to generate awareness and/or sales for the brand. Influencer programs can take many different forms, but most often they involve some form of content creation.

As a marketer, one of the most important things you can do is to build a raving fan base. This can be done by using other people's voices, or what is commonly known as influencer marketing. By leveraging the power of influencers, you can reach a wider audience and build trust and credibility with your potential customers. However, it's important to remember that not all influencers are created equal. When choosing an influencer to work with, be sure to select someone who is relevant to your brand and who has a large and engaged following. With the right strategy, other people's voices can help you to reach new heights in your business.

Speaker, Daphne Leblanc shared her experience with influencer programs and helped us think about how to get started with an influencer program.

Watch the full conference session below. Comment on the video if you have questions.