Are you wondering about the hot influencer marketing trends for 2021?
It should come as no surprise that Influencer Marketing is only expected to grow. Reports indicate that influencer marketing could be a $15 billion industry by the end of 2022.
Not only that, but 63% of marketers plan to increase their influencer marketing budget in 2021.
No doubt, 2021 appears to be a very exciting year for influencers and marketers alike. Here are a few of the hot trends you can expect for 2021.
- The Rise of Micro-Influencers
One trend that seems to have been emerging since 2019 is that micro-influencers, those with less than 100K followers, have shown higher engagement rates with their audience no matter what the genre.
In fact, micro-influencers generate 7X more engagement on Instagram than influencers with more followers.
Here’s why:
- Micro-influencers post more than influencers with more followers.
- Micro-influencers are fierce content creators.
- They are active brand advocates and share what works for them.
Wise marketers would be smart to hop on this growing trend. Not only are micro-influencers getting higher engagement, but they also cost less than influencers with more followers.
- Performance-Based Deals
As marketing becomes more and more driven by data, it shouldn’t be surprising that marketers want to spend money where there is value. Therefore, influencers can expect to sign performance-based contracts with brands.
While this isn’t ideal for influencers, it’s just the new facts of doing business in a data-driven world. However, for influencers who can demonstrate high engagement and a significant return-on-investment, they look to make more money, especially micro-influencers.
- Value-Driven Content
Due to the harsh realities of COVID, many influencers took a step back to be more “real” with their followers.
Some influencers made a point to show candid “no-filter” shots, while others focused on authentic shots and captions to reflect their daily lives with their followers.
It seems to follow a trend in marketing itself, indicating that 86% of people say authenticity is important when deciding which brands they support.
Influencers who can be real with their followers and provide authenticity with the brands they support stand a greater chance of acquiring an established influencer deal with major brands.
- Video Is King
Video will remain king in 2021. Especially with the rise of TikTok and the introduction of Instagram Reels, influencers, and followers alike will take advantage of video on Instagram’s platform.
Considering that 80% of people remember what they see versus 10% of what they hear and 20% of what they read, smart marketers will be banking on authentic video content from influencers to promote their brands.
Not only will video help brands with brand awareness, but it will also help them increase their authenticity with audiences they are trying to target.
What Will You Focus on in 2021?
Influencer marketing will become a significant part of brand marketing in 2021. What areas will you focus on this year? We hope our list helps you narrow down your focus for 2021.
