Influencer marketing is a powerful way to promote your brand. It's an important strategy to deliver important content to your target audience. Here's a step by step guide to outreach influencers effectively.

Step 1 - Define Your Goals

To create an effective strategy for influencer marketing, you need to have a good grasp of your own target audience and what your brand stands for. What are you trying to be recognized for, and who is the best person to help deliver your message? What do you want to achieve through influencer marketing?

A clearly defined goal makes it a lot easier to know what influencers are the best choices to participate in your strategy and most likely to help you move toward your marketing goals if they agree to promote your brand.

Step 2 - Research Your Influencers

The influencers you are looking for are the people who have a shared enthusiasm for your niche and your message. You are also looking for people who have established their authority on a certain topic. Only reach out to influencers who are relevant to your brand. They should be involved in your field, so their followers will be interested in your content when it is shared with them. You can use SocialBook to locate in the right influencers to your brand or check more analytical data of any influencer you might be interested.

Step 3 - Draft Your Pitch

Your next step is to craft a pitch that gets the influencer’s attention and expresses your reasons for contacting them. It's always a good idea to start with what you can offer to them rather than ask them what you want them to do for your brand. Also make sure to outline exactly how you would like them to participate, the deadline, and your estimated budget, but remember the first pitch should be short and sweet.

Step 4 - Connect With and Contact Influencers

Once you have established who the right people are, start stalking them. You can start by following them on their social media channels, like their posts, comment on their blog. Make yourself noticed by them first before making the first move. Most influencers are active across multiple social sites, so take advantage. Be nice, active and positive. Make them familiar with you.

Once you feel the time is right to contact an influencer, tailor a personal message. Send them the pitch you made before, and make sure to make them feel special, to let them know you chose them for a reason.

Step 5 - Build A Relationship with Your Influencers

Influencer marketing should be your long-term strategy, so don’t let the relationship with your influencers turn sour by dumping them as soon as you’ve got what you want.

The best strategy is to find an ambassador who will continue to increase brand awareness if you continue to nurture the relationship, so make sure you thank them and show that you truly value their involvement and express your interest in building a long-term relationship that benefits each other with the right influencers.