How To Start An Influencer Partnership Program In 2024
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Current Landscape
Our experience in influencer partnership programs date back as early as when Instagram was strictly a photo app. We have worked with many brands’ influencer partnership programs over the years, including but not limited to Rhone, GUESS, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Hoka, Mercedes Benz Maybach, Hoover Vacuum, Papa Johns, and Rhone, and have created partnership programs for retail brands of various sizes and industries.
In 2024, influencer partnerships for retail brands focus on authentic, long-term collaborations with micro and nano influencers who engage niche audiences. Brands use data-driven strategies to track ROI and personalize content, while platforms like Instagram and TikTok drive product launches and exclusive offers, creating a seamless shopping experience through influencer content.
Current Strategy
When building an influencer partnership program, start by aligning your approach with your brand size and budget. A great entry point is gifting products to influencers, which opens the door for communication and lets you gauge their enthusiasm and responsiveness.
After completing the gifting cycle, consider transitioning to a paid partnership. Once you’ve received the content, test it by running paid social ads with a smaller budget. If the ads perform well, it's time to scale and expand the campaign for maximum impact.
“The average return on investment (ROI) for influencer campaigns is $5.78 for every $1 spent, giving them an average return of 578%.”
"Good" Partnership Vs. "Great" Partnership
A great influencer partnership uses:
Due diligence to source influencers with a strong community
Influencer brief clearly and visually highlighting the expectations
Open communication to ensure a timely and quality content delivery
Analytics to ensure a positive ROI
