Ambassador brand vs influencer: Which is right for your business?
Even before the words of marketing and digital advertising appeared, the marketing of word to mouth had influenced the behavior of consumer purchases hundreds of years ago. Over the years, the concept of mouth marketing from the mouth continues to grow. Not only friends and your neighbors who spread the news about a good brand. At present, businesses now have what is called brand ambassadors and brand influencers.
But what’s the difference between both? And which is the right for your business? Understanding the difference between the ambassador and influencer will help you determine whether the first is superior to the last or vice versa.
Read this article because it helps you reveal the difference between the two and determine what is suitable for your brand.
Who is the brand ambassador?
Source: Freepik.com.
The brand ambassador can be anyone you think has a deep understanding of your brand. They can become other bloggers, celebrities, and influencers who sign exclusive partnerships with businesses to speak and act for their brands. This partnership is usually effective in the long run.
Business employees can be a brand ambassador, which is often forgotten or ignored by business owners. Your employees are also brand ambassadors. When they wear clothes or accessories with your brand identity, they have represented your brand to people. Employees are front liners of your business. Also, they know your brand more than others, and they talk to it every time they interact with customers.
Managing and tracking the progress of the brand ambassador campaign has now facilitated with technology and companies that offer services. If you want to know more about how it is done, click here for more info.
If you think of partnering with brand ambassadors, these are some aspects you might consider.
Cost
Businesses make pricing differently. Some pay their ambassadors every day; Others provide their rates for the entire program regardless of longevity.
Some businesses do not pay their ambassadors monetary. Instead, they compensate for them with travel incentives, monthly supply of business products, or other options. Compensation only depends on the agreement of each party.
What did the brand ambassador do?
Because the brand ambassador with brands is usually long-term, it gives them a broad understanding of the brand. This comprehensive understanding and loyalty to the brand makes them talk and act for it wherever they are. People tend to resonate with this loyalty to the brand.
If they attend an opportunity that is no longer related to the brand, people will still see them representing him. Your business partnership with them might end, but the influence they make with your brand can survive even beyond the agreement.
Deficiency
Although the brand ambassador signs an agreement with your brand, you will never be able to control what is done by your brand ambassador. They may follow the guidelines shown on the contract, but they can still do things outside the agreement that can still affect your brand image. The famous brand ambassador can be closely related to your business, tie you and their fate together. But this disadvantage should not prevent you from recruiting the brand ambassador. You need to give your trust to the most quality carefully.
Who is influencer?
Unlike the ambassador that represents the brand in a long-term agreement, influencers can be your brand promoter in one post or can work for your business in a short time.
Anyone can become an influencer for the brand, both celebrities, or just ordinary bloggers, as long as they have a reasonable number of followers. As a business owner, you can choose between those who have various followers or those who are not so popular, but the niche is somewhat related to your brand. However, other brands, prefer to partner with influencers who have a large number of followers regardless of their niche.
If you are thinking of partnering with brand influencers, these are some aspects that you can consider.
Cost
Some influencers charge fees depending on the number of their followers. Those who have a high number of followers, of course, will charge more. However, just like brand ambassadors, compensation depends on whatever agreement you have with them.
Some businesses pay influencers in commission base payments, which are beneficial for brands. The commission-based means influencers will not be paid until someone buys with their names. Some brands compensate for influencers with their products. For example, they will send items that are useful for influencers. Instead, influencers must make posts or reviews about the item.
What influencer can do
Although influencers will not most of the time changing the audience to your brand loyal customers, partnering with them will allow you to reach as many audients as you can. If you choose a niche influencer associated with your brand, it can increase your conversion rate.
For example, if you sell cakes, you can partner with influencers who are baked niches. You can also ask them to review your brand. People become smart and most of the time don’t buy hard suggestions. Having a review of your brand influencer makes their followers think that their minds are genuine.
Cons.
Losses have influencers representing your brand all comes down to work with the wrong. Some brands prefer influencers with many followers without considering whether the niche they praise the brand. Mistakes like this most of the time cause damage to the business. If you appreciate the quantity of more than quality, it is best to take extra steps to choose the right influencer for your business. Having influencers promoting your brand means risking whether they will be able to create quality content that will resonate with your target audience or not.
Should you rent a brand ambassador or influencer?
Both brand ambassadors and influencers share the same goal. What is suitable for your brand only depends on your business needs. If you are a brand that needs to increase loyal customers and have no problems partnering with someone in a long-term agreement, then consider getting a brand ambassador. If you prefer short-term partnerships and only need more exposure to your brand, an influencer may be a good choice.