May 28, 2024
6 min read
A male influencer films a YouTube video in front of plants.
The number of YouTube users is expected to reach a new high by 2029, with 1.2 billion users watching and sharing videos. The platform’s reach is one of many reasons brands use it as a hub for their influencer marketing activities.
Every YouTube influencer campaign should have a goal with specified KPIs to monitor success, a defined budget, and plans to review analytics. Beyond a sound strategy, certain tactics, like those listed below, often net stronger results. Use these tips to elevate your next YouTube influencer marketing campaign.
Collaborate with the Right Influencers to Maximize Your Results
While your brand should create and share YouTube videos, working with an influencer is a great way to tap into a new audience. Before you start looking for influencers in your niche, take a minute to consider the criteria you need an influencer to meet.
Ideally, the influencer:
Is known in your industry
Is connected to your target audience
Has a strong engagement rate with his or her follower base
Aligns with your brand’s mission and voice
Fits within your budget
To check all of these boxes, consider searching for creators through Mark My Ad's Marketplace. Search for influencers in your industry, and narrow your results by YouTube creators. You can filter your results by audience size, location, and demographics.
You can search for travel influencers, for example, and then narrow your results to YouTubers, adding filters for a female creator who lives in Austin, Texas, has an audience of 10K-50K fans, and has a pet dog. The results are a highly refined list of creators, many with work examples, engagement rates, and pricing in their profiles.
Vary the Types of Videos that Influencers Share
While product reviews and tutorials are popular on YouTube, consider breaking from tradition and tapping influencers to make these unique types of videos:
Unboxing Videos: Influencers unbox a product and offer their initial thoughts.
Hauls: Influencers review their purchases and discuss their excitement over each.
GRWM (Get-Ready-With-Me): Videos follow influencers as they get ready for an outing.
DITL (Day-in-the-Life): Videos offer a glimpse into an influencer’s regular life.
Contests: Influencers can promote or host contests for your brand.
Leverage AI for Content Creation
AI-generated content is fresh, fun, and attention-grabbing. Wondering how you find an influencer that can generate AI content? With Mark My Ad's FormAI, influencers can generate AI-made pictures and Talking Portraits.
Ask the influencer to upload a headshot and write a short script, and the headshot will come to life.
The platform allows you to upload a voice file or select a tone from existing files. The entire process takes minutes. When it’s complete, the influencer can share it on YouTube.
Here’s a quick video that explains how FormAI works:
Launch UGC Campaigns
Asking followers to generate UGC is a cost-effective way to boost brand awareness and expand your reach.
A growing number of brands have set up ongoing campaigns in which they ask customers to share product reviews or tutorials with a branded hashtag.
As UGC comes in, brands engage with it, thank the creator, and reshare it on their channels.
If you’d like to take it further, you could use the UGC video as an ad. Contact the creator to get permission, and make sure you follow advertising standards, like disclosing that the video is a sponsored clip.
Stay Aware of YouTube Trends
As with any type of marketing, trends change the landscape. Marketers need to tune in to these trends to ensure relevant content. To help, here’s a look at trends that will likely shape YouTube influencer marketing in the years to come:
Influencer Blitzes Rather than working with one influencer, brands work with a team of influencers to maximize their reach and results.
For some brands, the “blitz” of content that floods YouTube is a one-time campaign, but many brands have started ambassador programs to maintain long-term relationships with creators.
Unorthodox Collaborations Partnering with influencers outside your niche offers a wow factor that can aid engagement and sales.
Rather than leaning on your usual team of influencers, consider an influencer that aligns with your audience but would surprise your customer base.
Influencer-Inspired Products Influencer marketing is already moving beyond sponsored posts. Brands are now designing influencer-inspired product lines. For instance, the K-pop group BTS partnered with Lego to design a kit featuring the group; it was a hit for both the music influencers and the brand.
Partnerships with Creator-Led Brands Creators are starting their own ventures, and brands are willing to partner with these entrepreneurs in unique collaborations. For example, the creator and brand might launch a limited product that represents both of their brands in a bid to elevate both products.
Use Shorts Videos that are 90 seconds or less keep 50% of viewers watching. Research shows just how prevalent and effective short-form video is. As a result, leverage YouTube Shorts, making sure your content is “bite-sized.”
With these tips, you can drive awareness, engagement, and sales via YouTube influencers. Remember, selecting the right influencer is key. Collaborate with an influencer who reaches your ideal customer, and track your KPIs to ensure your efforts are on track.
Influencers:
Looking to partner with industry-leading brands? Create your free profile today.
Marketers:
The world’s biggest brands trust Mark My Ad. Find which of our self-serve marketing tools or full-service influencer marketing solutions are right for you.