Influencer
Marketing
SOLUTIONS
Welcome to SamyRoad, the influencer marketing agency you were looking for
WHO
WE ARE
End to end data-based Influencer Marketing solutions to help top leading brands worldwide succeed in the new advocacy era.
We are the agency specialized in influencer marketing
We were born with the mission of being a business partner for our clients, combining data, strategy, creativity, implementation and measurement.
We leverage data from the Samy Intelligence suite, our proprietary technology offering that makes data-driven insight more accessible. More specifically, we use ShineBuzz, our Artificial Intelligence Technology to help analize and identify the right match among 42M KOL to carry out succcesful campaigns on social networks.
We are the agency specialized in influencer marketing
We were born with the mission of being a business partner for our clients, combining data, strategy, creativity, implementation and measurement.
We leverage data from the Samy Intelligence suite, our proprietary technology offering that makes data-driven insight more accessible. More specifically, we use ShineBuzz, our Artificial Intelligence Technology to help analize and identify the right match among 42M KOL to carry out succcesful campaigns on social networks.
WHAT WE DO
- Audience Identification
- Discovery & Recruitment
- Brand Affinity analysis
- Performance Prediction
- Strategy and Creative Concept
- Brand assets: influencer guidelines
- Negotiation, activation and PayRoll
- Amplification
- Measurement & Reporting
WHY
SAMYROAD
We have worked for more than 300 brands across 50 markets, with the ability to reach local, glocal and global talents, and we have historically delivered more than 2.000 successful campaigns around the world.
HOW WE DO IT
TECHNO
LOGY
SUITE
NEWS
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Stay up to date with the latest trends and insights in the influencer marketing world.
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Influencer marketing has become an essential tool for brands to connect with their target audience, and that’s already said and set, embraced by companies of all sizes. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it is crucial for brands to keep up with the latest trends in influencer marketing to stay ahead of their competitors, and the way to go on this is by understanding the shape of influencer marketing strategy for these upcoming years
“Brands are increasingly recognising influencers as professional publishers with valuable audiences (…) Even behemoth social media companies recognise the pull influencers have in connecting people and keeping them engaged on their platforms—so much so that they’re actually designing some of their new features specifically to support creators’ business efforts ”
Forbes, 2023The need for authenticity: believe the expert
Authenticity has become a buzzword in the influencer marketing world. Both brands and consumers are becoming more aware of fake followers and fake stats on social media, and users resent that. They are not looking for perfect idols anymore, but authenticity and realness. Brands that collaborate with influencers need to ensure that the influencers they work with have an actual and genuine connection with their audience, and have a place among them as equals.
In 2023, we can expect to see brands focusing more on authenticity and collaborating with influencers and niche influencers who have an honest connection with their audience, based on interests and talents.
Consumers are more likely to trust an influencer who they perceive as an expert in their field, this means that brands need to work with influencers who have a solid understanding of the industry they are promoting, but also rely on their knowledge and expertise; no one understands the target as they do.
Partnering with influencers who have an intimate knowledge of their niche will enable brands to establish a deeper level of trust with their target audience, thus significantly improving their likelihood of success in influencer marketing campaigns. To achieve this, choosing the right influencer is key.
Exploring the Metaverse
The Metaverse needs no explanation at this point, and it has become an exciting platform for brands to connect with their target audience, offering new spaces, goods, and experiences worldwide – all from the comfort of each individual’s home.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Metaverse is the possibility of having virtual ambassadors, also known as digital influencers. These are characters developed by brands or individuals that can represent them in the virtual world and, getting ahead of the upcoming Fashion Week, beauty and fashion brands are the ones rocking these virtual ambassadors, showing how amazingly effective they can be in promoting products and the brand itself in the Metaverse.The use of virtual ambassadors is just one example of the many opportunities that the Metaverse offers to brands. As more and more people spend time in this virtual world, brands have the chance to engage with their target audience in new and innovative ways. By building a presence in the Metaverse, brands can create a unique experience for users and establish a strong connection with their audience that can translate into increased brand awareness and loyalty.
Live Shopping
Live shopping is becoming increasingly popular in the influencer marketing world. It allows consumers to interact with influencers in real-time and purchase products directly from the live stream, a whole entertaining and unique experience.
The game changer here is to build confidence: people want to be sure about what they are buying, as well as excited to see their favourite influencer talk about it.
According to Statista, the primary benefits of livestream shopping globally are the ability to access exclusive discounts and use it as a source of inspiration and ideas. Additionally, 31% of respondents stated that this purchasing channel enabled them to shop smarter and make more informed buying decisions.
Therefore, we can assure that collaborating with influencers to host live shopping events will represent a great strategy in the upcoming years, and it will result in a highly engaging and interactive shopping experience that will significantly increase the possibilities of consumers making a purchase.
Niche Influencers
As stated in our report “The rise of niche communities”, with this action involved in a strategy brands will have direct access to the target audience, meaning they can talk and communicate with them directly. Not only will they increase loyalty towards the brand, but also will get first-hand insights, challenges, goals and feedback.
Either way, users are extremely jealous and protective with their close spaces, therefore the best way to access to them is through niche influencers; who’s that might not seem as shiny, but have the strongest bond in the community, and understanding why they are there is the base to give proper information that will result into buying decisions for them.
Why are communities looking for decentralised spaces?
Discover new things 77% Connect with people who have similar interests 66% Find funny/entertaining content 62% Keep up with the news/current events 60% Ask a question to people knowledgeable about a topic 60% To seek honest advice 55% Get a recommendation for a product/service to buy 54% To have a safe space to share ideas, thoughts, etc. 49% To have genuine conversations with other people 44% To share advice 38% As we can see, it’s not only about showing off a product in these spaces, it’s about offering a solution based on the interests of people who belong there. And that’s why we, as brands, need an insider. Best Platforms to be IN
In today’s ever-changing digital landscape, influencer marketing has become a crucial tool for brands to connect with their target audience. As the popularity of social media continues to grow, so does the number of platforms available for influencer marketing. While Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are currently the most popular platforms for influencer marketing, it is important to note that the best platform for your brand may differ based on your industry and target audience. For instance, a brand that caters to young people may find TikTok to be the best platform, while a brand targeting professionals may find LinkedIn to be more effective.
Looking ahead, we can expect to see more brands explore new and emerging platforms for influencer marketing. Clubhouse, the audio-based social media app, has already gained significant traction among certain audiences, and brands are starting to take notice. Similarly, Reddit, Twitch, and Discord are all platforms that have the potential to become popular for influencer marketing in the near future.
By staying informed on the latest trends and platforms, brands can stay ahead of the curve and effectively reach their target audience through influencer marketing.
Down to business: is it worth the Investment?
Influencer marketing has been proven to be a valuable tool for brands to reach their target audience and increase brand awareness. By connecting with their audience in a more authentic and personal way, brands can increase sales and revenue. As such, we can expect to see more brands investing in influencer marketing, since 8 out of 10 marketers intended to dedicate from 10% to 20% of the marketing budget to Influencer Marketing in 2022, given the potential for high returns on investment.
However, influencer marketing is an ever-evolving industry, and brands need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends to stay ahead of competitors. It’s, indeed, a huge effort and strategy that needs to guarantee that this ally will retrieve the investment in terms of growth and driving sales, and understanding the needs of brands and considering the over 90.000 content creators that signed up for TikTok only in 2022, we saw the need of developing specialised high-tech tools to assure effective influencer marketing campaigns.
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Do you know how when you are shopping for a product, you are more likely to choose a brand that you have heard of before, rather than one that is totally unfamiliar to you? That’s called brand awareness, and it plays a big role in shaping our purchasing decisions.
Brand awareness is all about how familiar consumers are with a particular brand, and depending on that, they would be more likely to consider it when making a purchase. That’s why building brand awareness is such an important part of any marketing strategy: it could be a decision changer.
To get to this point, we need to pass the old-ways of thinking. People are aware no brand is perfect, and they are not looking for that. It’s important to communicate a message that actually is appealing to the consumer to build that kind of relationship where a person sees a brand and feels connected to it, the “I won’t even hesitate” while they take the product or buy the service.
There are a few different ways that brands can build awareness: traditional advertising, like TV commercials and radio spots, are still on the go, but we can all agree that, these days, it’s all about being strongly present in social media and as we indicated in our State of Influencer Marketing report, using influencer marketing is on the top list of marketing strategies in every 8 out of 10 marketers.
By partnering with influencers who have a deep influence in some consumers, brands can reach a wider audience and get their name in front of more people, but without the “I just want you to buy me” tag; when people see their favourite influencer using or promoting a particular product, they’re more likely to remember the brand and consider it in the future, or the feel the FOMO if they don’t belong to the “brand group”.
Actually, as we reported in our study based on Communications Matters data, 66% of Gen-Zers are more likely to trust recommendations from friends, family members, or influencers on social platforms. More than just that, 82% have purchased, researched or considered purchasing a product or service after seeing friends, family, or influencers post about it.
Of course, it’s not just about getting your brand in front of people, it’s also important to make sure that your brand is memorable and stands out from the competition. This is where things like branding, messaging, and product design come into the equation: by creating a unique and memorable brand identity, driving the correct message, you can make yourself room in the mind of the consumers.
Overall, brand awareness is all about making sure that people know who you are and what you have to say, but here comes a tricky situation: being aligned with your target and consumer values needs to be based on real actions, and not being there just by words.
One key to building your brand image is brand trust. When you build trust in your brand, you solidify your image in the minds of consumers.”
–Forbes, 2023Being “woke”: what’s the strategy?
The answer is: it’s not a strategy. Or, at least, it should not.
The highlighted audience of these past years and upcoming ones are the Gen-Zers and Millennials, both audiences that are strongly committed to social causes, taking action in protecting their moral values and changing the cultural rules to build a better future. Words like revolution, deconstruction and emotional responsibility are strongly present in their daily vocabulary. For them a classic ad with the benefits of the brand is not the way to go, so we need to care about what they care about, and we need to be in their relevant topics to be considered one of them.
A brand can be considered “woke” if it demonstrates a commitment to this social justice concept and equity in its practices and messaging. This can include taking a stance on issues related to race, gender, and other marginalised groups, actively engaging in social and political causes, and promoting diversity and inclusivity in its products and marketing. This last scenario is extremely important, since we need to actually care for all types of people, and not only the ideal buyer.
However, it’s also important to note that being “woke” is not just about making statements or using the right buzzwords. A brand that wants to be seen as “woke” must also be willing to take action and make real changes to its practices and policies: diversifying its workforce, promoting equitable hiring and promotion practices, and supporting causes that align with its values; actions that sometimes are not published in some media or drive leads, but that’s what being empathetic is about: we cannot do it for the likes.
It’s indispensable for brands to be authentic and transparent in their messaging and practices, since consumers are increasingly aware of “woke-washing”, where brands use social justice causes as a marketing ploy without actually making substantive changes to their practices, and this can lead to the feared cancellation on social media. In order to be seen as truly “woke”, a brand must be willing to back up its messaging with real action and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the social cause they stand for.
Influencer’s role in brand awareness
Influencers can play an important role in a brand’s awareness strategy since they can help humanise a brand and make it more relatable to consumers, create a sense of social proof, as consumers may be more likely to trust the opinions and recommendations of people they follow on social media, ultimately, a brand can drive its values through the right choice of influencer representation.
Influencer marketing can help brands reach niche or hard-to-reach audiences. For example, if a brand wants to target a specific demographic or group, they can partner with micro influencers who have a large following within that group. This can be particularly effective for brands that operate in niche or specialised markets, and at SAMY we have studied these niche decentralised communities to understand how to get brands in there without disrupting the environment they protect so dearly.
However, it’s important to note that influencer marketing is not a one-size-fits-all solution, it cannot protect a brand from woke-washing and, without the proper selection, it can backfire the communication of a brand to be involved with certain digital-famous people. It’s important for any brands to carefully consider their target audience, messaging, and overall marketing strategy before investing in influencer marketing, and not stopping at that point. Brands should be transparent about their partnerships with influencers and ensure that any sponsored content is clearly labelled as such.
Cancel culture is another proof that Gen-Z and Zillennials are, each day, taking more control over their digital spaces and are willing to fight for the protection of their ideals, and will call out any practice that they consider dishonest. According to the Insider, some see it as a necessary means of holding people accountable for their actions, while others view it as a form of “justice” that can create a toxic and intolerant environment. Whether it’s a good practice or not, brands need to be aware of the damage it can represent to the reputation of the brand, and the only way they can protect themselves from cancel culture is by being coherent and authentic with their actions and words, monitoring social media, having a crisis communication plan in place, engaging through different channels, and taking responsibility and action if needed.
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TikTok is the most trusted source for many Gen-Z users, who choose this platform over everything, even a doctor’s appointment, because of its accessibility, affordability and approachability, reported Forbes. But, why does a huge majority of young people rely on TikTok so much?
The answer is as simple as voluminous: micro-influencers
This social media tool; TikTok is not only a platform that connects people with their favourite artists and idols, but it also allows small and medium sized content creators to grow and reach new audiences, and this audience love to see their “friends” rise.
And that’s the key of the success possibility in TikTok for micro-influencers. It is a place for them to build a strong community in a relatively short time, and of course it implies effort and constancy, but it’s indeed faster than any other platform in the market right now. This happens because the social network is managed by an algorithm that shows users selected clips based on their content preferences.
This means that content creators can talk about their expertise, show their growing business, interests, likes and dislikes, daily life, struggles, goals and projects… And they will find an audience for all that. An audience that will see them as their friends, as long distance but loved friends, and will show their affection and care by interacting and sharing their content, helping them to reach similar people. In this sense, micro-influencers don’t need to be “perfect” or have a huge career like famous idols, they just need to be real, creative and charming.
Of course, it’s a huge pool of competition, because there are many options for many people to become an influencer and grow in their stages (nano, mid, macro, mega and micro-influencers), and TikTok requires 10.000 followers y 100.000 views in the last 30 days to participate for the Creator Fund and get paid by them, even then it’s still a possibility for more than one, and that’s shown by the +90.000 of influencers that registered in the platform between 2018 and 2020.
Tiktok influencers x brands
For brands, this is game-changing, because by working with influencers, they don’t have to interrupt the audience’s content flow with a post or video advertising that results in violent and disruptive action, and could lead to a backfire reaction. By choosing the right influencer, they can introduce themselves and their brand’s product or service with ease and naturality, and they gain the confidence the influencer already has with the consumers.
As reported by the Financial Times, TikTok requires up to 62% less investment than Snapchat to reach 1,000 impressions and almost half as much as Reels; it almost triples impressions per video compared to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. The results of this huge-reach dynamic are obvious, and that’s why brands increased their investment in this social network by 66% in 2022.
TikTok and the gate for new business
TikTok is so aware of the opportunity it represents for many brands, and especially many growing business or personal brands, that they launched in January 2023 TikTok Academy, a Europe-wide online education platform, meant to train all-sized brands and agencies in the corporate use and business possibilities of the app.
“The TikTok Academy is designed to educate advertisers through a gamified journey full of interactive and engaging experiences. This will help advertisers at all stages learn how to create engaging content on TikTok that captures the audience’s attention while driving desired business results,” said Trevor Johnson, marketing director, of global business solutions EUI at TikTok
It aims to turn digital advertisers into TikTok experts. The courses include topics such as creativity, advertising and community safety, and it also offers a specific course for small businesses, which will help them create content that connects with their audience and drives better business performance.
In the eye of advertising, everything is a tool and we, as marketers and experts, need to learn how to use the data of these platforms to create smart, creative and effective strategies, either working with influencers or through the brand’s own channel, understanding the possibilities allows us to think forward.