INSIDE STORY
Of course, not all social media platforms are about making something lucrative. Often, it’s simply for enjoyment. Take China’s famous TikTok app, for instance – many Sri Lankans found the eyebrow raising application extremely helpful especially during the curfew.
When the TikTok trend began, I made up my mind that I was never going to get on it like most people. But one of my friends kept telling me that I should make TikToks and check it out. After much persuasion, I hopped on. It took me a few days to really understand how everything worked; and then actually, I started to enjoy myself.
What drew me to the app was the level of creativity that is possible in a span of 15 seconds. In addition to this, there are interesting audios and remixes. So I decided to give it a try and see whether people enjoyed my TikToks; and surprisingly, the response was great. Moreover, I secretly had fun making them.
The app is great because it’s super-engaging for the viewer and it allows the content creators to showcase their skills or talents in a unique way.
If you’re wondering how successful influencers and their content strategy is… well, it’s huge! Eighty percent of consumers have purchased something that was recommended by an influencer and many companies are investing in influencer marketing strategies more than ever before.
After all, 89 percent of brands claim that influencer marketing is comparable or better than alternative marketing channels. Last year alone, the amount spent on influencers grew by an astronomical 83 percent. Influencers recommend your brand to a relevant audience of thousands who may have never heard of you before.
As a young startup, we found that many customers seek and patronise businesses based heavily on their presence and activity on social media. We believe that in today’s climate, social media is imperative for the success of any business as it provides access to millions of users across various demographics at the touch of a button.
Colombo has a diverse mix of influencers whose base of followers varies widely. So for any company that’s starting up, the use of social media as well as influencers is the best way to gain access to a wide cross section of the market.
With the use of social media, it’s also easier to gain targeted access to a particular customer demographic. Going forward, we feel that the use of social media will only become more popular as businesses use it extensively.
If it’s done right, social media marketing could potentially be the only form of marketing your business needs. With JEZZA, we have had a steady growth across multiple social media platforms by creating curated content suitable for the nature of each platform.
The power of influencer marketing plays a huge role in building trust and communication between a brand and its followers or potential consumers. However large or small an individual’s follower base may be, everyone has the power to influence an audience and it’s important for brands to understand that the follower count is only a number.
Look beyond the follower count and you can work out how the influencer’s audience reacts to them, and assess whether their audience is suitable for your brand and the product you’re trying to promote or market.
In today’s digital age, tourism trends are heavily shaped by influencer marketing in the travel space. Instagram is the new travel guide and influencers’ travel content provides consumers with non-stop inspiration.
The sense of connectivity that users experience as they scroll through their feeds and see their favourite travellers’ envy inducing experiences… it fuels wanderlust and ultimately guides their own travel preferences.
Ibegan my blog back in 2015 when blogging was in its infancy in Sri Lanka and there were very few influencers at that time. Being a lifestyle and travel blogger comes with heavy responsibilities, along with a bagful of fun adventures and opportunities.
And I can confidently say that leaving my corporate life behind and pursuing my dream of being free and enjoying life was the best decision I made.
Without knowing what being an influencer means, I started doing things I love such as photography, exploring and fashion. This slowly built up to who I’m today – and it’s made me a very happy person.
I believe the key is consistency. If you consistently do things you love, life will open many doors for you! Last year, I received a paid vacation to Singapore as a brand ambassador for Viber; and following the event, we explored the country and enjoyed ourselves. It was one of the best times of my life.
Likewise, I can proudly say that being a lifestyle and travel blogger has been and will be the most amazing experience of my life, along with opportunities to work with international brands and travel the world.
Someday, I wish to be a consultant for influencers, and teach them how to be effective and manage their lifestyles while doing the things they love the most.