Even if you don’t work in marketing, you’ve probably heard of influencers. From makeup artists to professional gamers, you can find them in just about every niche; on almost every social media platform. So, when it comes to collaborating with one, you might think it’s as simple as sending them an email. However, influencer marketing is complex. Those new to influencer marketing should learn the best way to reach these influencers and entice them to work with you. Here are some of the best online courses you can take on this topic.
What is Influencer Marketing?
Influencer marketing involves getting people with a significant following in your niche to promote your brand. They usually have an engaged community who will take their advice when making a purchasing decision. They spend a considerable amount of time building their identity, so they usually charge for brand collaborations. The more followers they have, the more they will charge.
Where to Begin
Knowing how to approach and work with influencers means understanding how to pitch and how to calculate payment. There are plenty of online courses you can enroll in to learn the basics. Admittedly, most of these online courses and classes are not free, but there are plenty of resources available to help you pay for them. However, if you want to delve into influencer marketing the following courses are worth checking out.
General Assembly
Based in New York, General Assembly offers online digital marketing courses. Courses typically run for 10 to 12 weeks and can be taken online and in person. They offer an in-depth look at paid advertising, which includes working with influencers. They also offer flexible payment plans and scholarships.
Coursera
Coursera also offers an influencer marketing course. Hosted by Rutgers University, you’ll learn how to find and engage with the right influencers for your niche. The course takes approximately 23 hours to complete, and can be done on your own schedule. Coursera also offers financial assistance for those who are in need.
HubSpot
HubSpot is another great resource you can learn from. They offer plenty of information about all types of marketing, such as how to work with influencers . All you need to do is sign up for a free account and choose the course you’re interested in. Once complete, you can also download a certificate to add to your marketing portfolio or attach to your resume.
Udemy
This platform gives you access to a variety of courses about influencer marketing,reputation management, social media strategy and digital marketing. All courses come with a 30-day guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied, you can get your money back. Since the courses are taught by industry experts, you won’t have to worry about receiving a run-of-the-mill education.
LinkedIn Learning gives you six ways to attract and work with influencers of all levels. From micro and macro to brand-name individuals, you’ll learn some of the best ways to attract the right talent and create long-term relationships. You’ll also learn how to measure return on investment and create multi-tier campaigns for each stage of your marketing efforts. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to write contracts that clearly define your expectations and agreement terms. This is important when it comes to negotiating payment, because you need to know how to compensate your influencer based on follower count and engagement rate.
SkillShare
Our final go-to source for learning is SkillShare. This educational website utilizes the power of community learning. Courses are taught by experts in the field or teachers who want to share what they know. You can choose from a range of learning levels, so don’t worry if you’re a beginner. You can get started for free and then only pay for the courses you want. You can also learn offline by downloading the SkillShare app.
Conclusion
Anyone who works in branding and marketing knows that influencer marketing is here to stay. A marketer cannot fully service their client base without understanding how to effectively utilize this form of marketing. Evolving as a business and an entrepreneur requires a dedication to lifelong learning, and constantly honing one’s skill set. Online-based educational courses can help you learn how to refine and broaden your influencer marketing services to serve your clientele better.
Author: Drew Allen
Bio: Drew is a financial enthusiast, seasoned blogger, music and sports fanatic. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and daughter fishing and boating. He is dedicated to his 15+ year career in the banking, mortgage, and personal finance industry.
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