Timing Matters: How to Strategically Leverage Influencer Marketing for Your Brand

Gunika Dhingra
6 min readJul 15, 2023

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Just picture a world where people are inspired, entertained and totally “influenced” by relatable set of people rather than just standard traditional commercials. Well, step into the captivating realm of influencer marketing, where the enormous power of social media has transformed the very fabric and foundation of brand promotion and consumer behavior. In this modern-day scenario, we find ourselves fully immersed, living and breathing the influence and impact wielded by these charismatic individuals.

It is now that influencers have emerged as the ultimate trendsetters, possessing the remarkable ability to shape opinions, ignite meaningful conversations, and propel sales to unprecedented heights. These captivating personalities span diverse niches, ranging from lifestyle gurus to avid gaming enthusiasts, gathering dedicated followings eager to mirror their choices and heed their recommendations.

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However, amidst this captivating realm of influencer marketing, timing reigns supreme. Much like the flawless execution of a dance move or the delivery of a well-timed punchline, the triumph of influencer marketing hinges upon discovering the right moment to unleash its full potential. Whether it entails initiating influencer collaborations prior to a product launch or after establishing a robust foundation, the art of recognizing the perfect timing holds the key to a brand’s triumphant journey.

But before that..

It is crucial to acknowledge that every brand possesses its distinct identity, necessitating the adaptation and alignment of influencer marketing strategies to suit specific objectives, available resources, and prevailing market dynamics.

The Early Bird Catches the Buzz: Utilizing it Before the Launch

Creating a buzz before the launch of a product or service is vital and influencer marketing serves as a powerful tool to generate this hype and anticipation among the audience. By smartly and strategically collaborating with influencers, brands can tap into their extensive reach and engaged followers. Through captivating content and personalized recommendations, influencers can effectively introduce the brand to a wider audience, building brand awareness and eventually visibility.

By teasing glimpses of the upcoming product or service, influencers can generate excitement and curiosity, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting the official launch. This pre-launch anticipation can translate into a surge of interest and potential customers once the product or service becomes available.

Influencers are people who have already established trust and credibility among their followers. By aligning with the right ones who resonate with the brand’s values and target audience, brands can attract a loyal following and potential customers. These individuals, influenced by the trusted recommendations of their favorite influencers, become an integral part of the brand’s early adopter community.

Engaging with target audience segments and gathering valuable feedback is a key advantage of incorporating influencer marketing before launching a product or service. Apart from this, one of the major benefits lies in the opportunity it provides for brands to directly engage with their target audience segments. By strategically partnering with influencers who have a strong connection with these specific segments, brands can establish a direct line of communication and forge a personal connection.

Early influencer partnerships provide brands with a unique opportunity to gather feedback and insights from their audience through influencer collaborations. By encouraging influencers to share their honest experiences and opinions, brands can gain valuable feedback that can shape product/service improvement and enhance the overall customer experience.

Building a Strong Foundation: Development First, Influencer Marketing Second

We we land into building a foundation for our brand, we obviously want it to be strongest and one of a kind, hence prioritizing product/service development first before taking a deep dive into influencer marketing is a wiser approach. This flow ensures that you are offering the highest quality and therefore bring in more relevance to the target audience.

By laying your major focus on building something great and remarkable, you set the groundwork for positive customer experiences and better word-of-mouth recommendation which in-turn solidifies your brand’s reputation and sets the foundation for influencer collaborations that can amplify your message.

Authenticity and trust are paramount when it comes to building a brand. Establishing your brand’s reputation and credibility before engaging in influencer marketing can lay a solid foundation for successful partnerships and sharing organic content that resonates with your target audience is key to building credibility. By delivering value through informative and engaging content, you establish yourself as an authority within your niche. This organic content creation not only attracts your audience but also appeals to influencers who seek to collaborate with authentic and reputable brands.

Influencer marketing, when implemented after developing a strong foundation, can be a powerful tool to maximize conversion opportunities.

Influencers, with their established credibility and loyal followers, can act as influential brand advocates. By strategically partnering with influencers who genuinely connect with your brand, you can leverage their influence to amplify your message and eventually reach a broader audience. Their authentic endorsements and recommendations can significantly impact the purchasing decisions of their followers, resulting in increased conversion rates. It can be a driving force for sales when executed strategically. By incorporating compelling calls-to-action and exclusive promotions in collaboration with influencers, brands can motivate their audience to take action and make a purchase. Influencers can provide unique discount codes, run limited-time offers, or host giveaways, all of which can drive conversions and boost sales.

The Hybrid Approach: A Balanced Strategy

After delving into the different approaches and insights of influencer marketing, you may be wondering, “What is the right strategy for my brand?”

Every brand is as distinct as its fingerprint, requiring a tailored strategy that suits its specific needs. To determine the right path, consider the lessons learned and insights gained from our exploration of influencer marketing. Reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, analyze your brand’s goals, and evaluate the resources at your disposal.

  1. Tailor the right balance : There can never-ever be a one-size-fits-all scenario in the case of working out influencer marketing for a brand. Hence, it’s essential to (at least try to) strike a perfect balance by carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. By conducting a thorough analysis of your brand’s specific goals and resources, you can make an informed decision about the timing and integration of influencer marketing into your overall strategy. Embrace the diversity of marketing approaches, for influencer marketing is just one star in the constellation of brand success.
  2. Sequential integration: By generating pre-launch hype through teasers, sneak peeks, and engaging content, you can pique the interest and curiosity of your target audience. This early anticipation can be further amplified by strategically partnering with influencers who align with your brand values. They can help amplify your message, build excitement, and create a buzz around your upcoming launch. Following the product or service launch, continue your influencer marketing efforts by collaborating with influencers to sustain the momentum. Leverage their reach and influence to maximize exposure, drive traffic, and generate conversions. This sequential integration ensures that your brand remains in the spotlight even after the initial hype, helping to build brand loyalty and fuel long-term growth.
  3. Embrace the change: The domain of influencer marketing is very volatile and dynamic, hence it’s crucial to stay adaptable and responsive to changing circumstances. Market trends, consumer behavior, and social media platforms constantly evolve with the ticking clock, which requires brands to evolve their strategies as well. Monitor shifts in consumer preferences, emerging platforms, and new influencer marketing tactics. By staying attentive to these changes, brands can adapt their strategies accordingly, ensuring that they remain relevant and resonate with their audience. Optimization is the key to maximizing the impact of influencer marketing campaigns. Regularly assess and analyze the performance of your collaborations, evaluating metrics such as engagement, reach, and conversions. Use these insights to refine your approach, and fine-tune your messaging to achieve even greater results.

The ultimate strategy that works best for your brand lies within your unique vision, acute observation, and decisive actions. As you navigate this dynamic landscape, remember that no one understands your brand better than you do. Trust your instincts, leverage the knowledge gained from our exploration, and craft a strategy that resonates with your brand’s identity, objectives, and audience. Embrace the power of influencers as partners on your brand’s journey, but ultimately, the decisions and actions that shape your brand’s success are yours to envision and make.

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Gunika Dhingra

AI/ML & DS interest me | I share my learnings here | Driving Growth, Product, & Tech 🚀