You've Got 100,000 followers on Instagram, So What?

A following! Everyone wants a following these days. But when you get a following what would you even do with them, except feel really good about yourself from all the likes?

Do you remember the days of Ronald McDonald and Tucan Sam? Not that those days are over, I'm just trying to get you to date yourself. Anyway, brand mascots have been an important part of brand identity since the conception of advertising. This idea that people don't just connect to products, they connect to other people, is central in the way we try to get people to buy.

This is known.

What is also known is that the best way to "influence" behavior, is to have a spokesperson for your product that people know. So you have the guy who played the president on the tv show 24 (I know his name, I just doubt you do) selling you Allstate Insurance. Because you know and trust him.

Flash to this article:

Brands are increasingly reaching out to social media savants to represent their products to their following. This model is effective for the brand for many reasons.

1. They don't have to create the content

2. They don't have to garner the captive audience

There are some potential downsides. When real people, with real lives, represent your product any number of things can happen. Also, once again you can't just have any spokesperson with 200,000 followers rep your brand. This needs to be strategic. SIDE NOTE: Recently at SXSW it seems that social media accounts with mid range followings of 8,000 to 15,000 are actually getting more engagement with their followings.

Nevertheless remember when dad told you to get off your phone and get a job? Now is the time for a savvy social medialite to take their concerted following and see what unites you, and find a brand that will back it.

Dusha Holmes Digital Media ...Guy

Oh here's a tool to measure actual social influence. You're welcome.