Maintaining authenticity as an influencer is important to fortify the connection with their followers in the long run. Sponsored content, here is the game-changer for the influencers. Influencers who infuse authenticity in sponsored content can set an example for their followers and fellow influencers. The followers can make a quick judgement if the sponsored content lacks originality. This article provides a few checklists to work on for sponsored content.
Ways to maintain authenticity in sponsored content as an influencer
Before collaborating, ensure that it aligns with your thought process and way of living. In addition, it must support your way of making content. Some ways are discussed below.
1. Be honest and transparent
Do not hide about your collaborations. Your followers can sense it in no time. The sponsored content must have your own honest opinion. The followers should know about it and why you have chosen it as your content.
If the sponsored content is of a brand you feel needs improvement on its products and services, talk about it to your followers. It increases the engagement between you, your followers and the brand. In the long run, the followers will help the brand to make their space and stay. You, as an influencer, are now open to more new opportunities.
For example, display the content as a paid advertisement or sponsored content to show your transparency.
2. Dump the traditional advertisement
To sustain authenticity in sponsored content, do not advertise it using the traditional method. Look for ideas on how that has been used in daily life to display it as such in your content. If you inculcate the content through your uniqueness, they will consume it. The brand will slowly become a part of their lives. The followers will see you as someone who gives priority to genuine content over dragging it forcefully.
For example, if you are a beauty influencer and have collaborated with a furniture brand, you do not need to advertise it traditionally. You can say how the wardrobe has helped to organise your beauty stuff. It was messy earlier.
Also Read: BUILDING A LOYAL COMMUNITY AS AN INFLUENCER
3. Be selective in choosing the brand
You are more than the brand. The followers have contributed to your journey. The breach of trust can lose them. The brand you have collaborated with must align with the person you are and the content you make. It shows that you are not after paychecks. Your values can get you off highly paid sponsorship but help you retain your followers. By doing this, authenticity in sponsored content is well-balanced because you are choosing the content and not letting the content choose you.
For example, you have spoken about the drawbacks of plastic and promoting plastic gadgets. It leads to confusion among your followers.
4. Adapt storytelling
Storytelling plays a vital role when it comes to sponsorship. It gives a personal touch. And iIt enhances the quality of content. It blends with your content effortlessly. The content looks more organic. It can be implemented by introducing a how-to guide. Another thing can be how the product is your saviour.
Storytelling is a great way to emotionally charge followers with sponsored content. It adds value to the content. The brands can rely on you without a second thought.
For example, if you are a lifestyle influencer who talks about instilling the habit of taking supplements and how this habit has changed your life over the years.
If you are a beauty influencer, you can talk about a hero ingredient in a product and how it helped battling acne on your difficult days. It presents it as a valuable recommendation.
5. Do not change voice tone
The change of voice while incorporating a sponsorship is weird. The voice of your content reflects your personality. The followers may follow you because of this reason. To balance authenticity in sponsored content, you must leave behind the concept of fitting in a corporate brand tone. The natural integration of your voice and the uniqueness of promoting the content fosters the follower’s trust.
For example, if you are talking about a natural calamity and abruptly you present sponsored content that has nothing in common. It portrays a treacherous behaviour.
6. Engage with your followers
The more you prioritise your followers, the more your chance to stand out. You can garner more followers if they sense their interests matter to you. You can engage with them after posting the sponsored content in DMs or ask them to comment. The sponsorship becomes meaningful and benefits both you and the sponsor. The interaction strengthens your bond with the followers. They feel valued because you are addressing their issues.
Conclusion
Sponsored content opens new doors to an influencer when done correctly. Authenticity in sponsored content is crucial as it reinforces the belief the followers have shown in you.
By staying honest and adding your values, you can seamlessly incorporate sponsorship into your content. Overdoing can greatly upset your followers; therefore, a perfect balance should be maintained.
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