Thanking Influencers
Social media influencers can do amazing things for your business. There are countless examples of how a single influencer has spiked sales, made a product cool, and helped a company be more in tune with their market (google “Stanley tumbler story” for example.)
However, working with influencers is oftentimes hard for companies accustomed to working in the world of contracts and business agreements. It’s important to realize that while all the legalistic arrangements are important, a simple, heartfelt expression of gratitude can oftentimes create surprising results.
Be Bold, Be Creative In Your Thanks
One of the best pieces of advice for all public relations folks is be bold, be creative, and think outside the box. This not only applies to how you represent yourself in terms of advertising and marketing, but also how you acknowledge those folks that help you along the way and represent you via avenues such as social media. No matter who you are, a thank you is always appreciated, especially if the thank you holds a personal touch.
Simple Thank You Guidelines
There are some very important, basic guidelines to follow when thanking your PR and social media influencers. First, influencers are out there to help their fans and potential followers. They’re not necessarily there just for you. Make sure you thank them for helping the other users out there, not just your particular brand or product.
Second, respect their privacy. When publicly thanking them, make sure it’s okay, always give them the ability to opt out. Do they or do they not want you to share their recognition info with others? Respect their prerogatives as far as this goes. It will definitely attest to your professionalism.
Next, be careful about rewards and gifts. Keep your thank you’s simple and concise. While a free sample of your product could be nice, it’s not necessarily going to help build brand affinity on their part and it might raise questions or be misconstrued. Make sure it’s a gift, not a bribe.
And don’t forget, influencers, no matter how formal or business-like, are people too! Don’t treat them like just another name in your contact list – no mass emails! Okay, in extreme cases it can be a mass email, but take the time to enter individuals’ names a few times throughout the message (There are several software programs out there with mail merge capability). Believe me, the personal touch is extremely appreciated.
Finally, though the title of “influencer” has now become a thing, there are many people who influence audiences who may have other titles, like blogger, forum poster, or even just a normal human being who talked about your product or service on social media. Don’t forget to acknowledge and thank them too!
Influencer Thank You Note Examples
Writing a thank you note to an influencer who has promoted your product is easier when you have examples you can model. Here are three examples, each tailored to different scenarios:
1. For an Influencer Who Gave a Detailed Review
| Subject: Heartfelt Thanks for Your Incredible Review! Dear [Influencer’s Name], I want to express our sincere gratitude for the incredibly detailed and thoughtful review you shared about our [Product Name]. Your ability to capture the essence of our product and communicate its benefits to your audience was nothing short of impressive. Your insights and honest feedback are not only invaluable to your followers who rely on your expertise but to us too! We’ve already noticed an increase in interest and sales, which speaks volumes about the trust and influence you have cultivated. As a token of our appreciation, we would like to offer you an exclusive sneak peek at our upcoming products. We’re excited about the possibility of continuing this wonderful partnership. Please let me know if you’d be interested in receiving free samples before they ship to the general public. Thank you once again for your support and for being such an important part of our journey. Warm regards, [Your Name] |
2. For a Social Media Shoutout
| Subject: A Big Thank You for Your Shoutout! Hi [Influencer’s Name], I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the fantastic shoutout you gave [Product Name] on your [specific social media platform] page. It was a wonderful surprise, and we are thrilled to see our product featured in your content! Your enthusiasm and positive energy are contagious, and it’s clear that your followers feel the same way. We’ve been receiving great feedback and seeing a noticeable boost in interest, which is incredible. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to support you in the future. We are more than happy to collaborate on any upcoming projects you have in mind. Thanks again for your support, and we look forward to potentially working together soon! Best wishes, [Your Name] |
3. For a Creative and Unique Promotion
| Subject: Thank you so Much for Your Creative Promotion! Hello [Influencer’s Name], I am reaching out to give you a massive thank you for the exceptional and creative way you incorporated our [Product Name] into your recent [post/video]. Your unique approach not only highlighted the product in a fantastic light but also demonstrated your incredible talent and creativity. We have been both amazed and delighted by the response from your audience. Your innovative presentation has introduced our product to a broader audience in a way that we couldn’t have imagined. As a small token of our appreciation, we’d love to offer you a [gift/early access to new products] for your next collaboration with us. Your vision and creativity are truly inspiring, and we are eager to see what you come up with next! Thank you once again for your amazing work and for choosing to include our product in your creative journey. All the best, [Your Name] |
Each of these notes acknowledges the influencer’s efforts, highlights the positive impact of their promotion, and leaves the door open for future collaborations. Remember to personalize the message with specific details about the influencer’s work and how it has impacted your product or brand.
Tracking Influencer Mentions On Social Media
Many valuable compensated influencer promotional campaigns start with an unpaid mention in one of their posts that they use and like/love your product.
But if you’re not actively tracking social media, you may never know about those mentions.
That’s why we recommend using one of the many social media tracking/monitoring services out there.
These tools help you stay informed about customer interactions and manage your online reputation efficiently. Here’s a summary of some key social media monitoring tools, each offering unique features to cater to different brand needs:
Social Media Tracking Options For Smaller Companies
Keyhole
This platform is ideal for brands looking to collaborate with influencers. Keyhole aids in discovering influencers through automated keyword and hashtag searches and provides hashtag analytics for deeper insights into influential conversations. Prices start at $79/month.
Brand24
This tool offers sentiment analysis and instant notifications for brand mentions. It’s notable for its ability to detect activity spikes and for summarizing PR efforts effectively. Prices start at $79/month.
Agorapulse
This tool focuses on helping brands manage social mentions effectively. It offers customization options to filter specific phrases and platforms, alongside features to organize customer conversations and monitor competitor activities. Agorapulse is especially useful for managing high volumes of social media interactions. Prices start at $79/month.
Mention
As an @mention tracking tool, Mention monitors over a billion sources for relevant brand mentions. It offers extensive filtering options and alerts to help brands stay updated and manage potential crises or PR opportunities. Prices start at $41/month
NapoleonCat
Focused on social customer service, it’s useful for businesses prioritizing customer interaction. Features include automated customer service, multi-platform publishing, and competitor analysis tools. Pricing begins at $27/month.
Awario
Awario is notable for its ‘Awario Leads’ feature, which identifies people seeking recommendations in a specific industry, helping brands find new business opportunities. Prices start at $49/month.
Cyfe
This analytics platform allows for the creation of custom dashboards to monitor key social media metrics, with data visualizations for easy understanding of your brand’s performance. Prices start at $19/month.
Sendible
Designed for agencies managing multiple client accounts, Sendible enables tracking analytics, publishing content, and responding to comments across various networks. Prices start at $29/month.
Mentionlytics
Ideal for comprehensive monitoring across major social media platforms and the web, suitable for businesses of all sizes. It offers real-time notifications, detailed analytics, AI-powered insights for social media strategy improvement, mention clustering, influencer identification, competitor analysis, and customizable dashboards. Prices start from $69/month.
Hootsuite
An all-in-one social media management tool, particularly beneficial for large enterprises. Hootsuite allows for the monitoring of multiple accounts, offering extensive analytics, AI-assisted caption writing, multi-platform scheduling, and a unified inbox. Its integration with Mentionlytics enhances in-depth social monitoring. Pricing begins at $99/month.
Social Media Tracking Options For Larger Companies
BuzzSumo
A content-focused tool, great for content research, analysis, and influencer identification. It provides insights into content trends and performance, with features for social media engagement tracking and backlink analysis. Prices start from $199/month.
Sprout Social
Geared towards advanced social media management and analytics, it’s ideal for larger businesses and enterprises. Sprout Social provides tools for social publishing, analytics, social commerce, and listening, helping to understand audiences and trends. Key features include customizable reporting, real-time engagement tools, and CRM integration. Pricing starts at $249/month.
Atribus
Focused on consumer intelligence, Atribus excels in analyzing customer conversations for common complaints and inquiries, aiding brands in identifying and addressing unmet needs. Prices start at €325.00/month
RivalIQ
Geared towards competitive analysis, RivalIQ allows brands to monitor their market position relative to competitors. It features real-time alerts for competitor activities, such as bio updates or promoted posts, providing insights into their marketing strategies. Prices start at $239/month.
Each of these tools provides unique functionalities, from detailed analytics and real-time alerts to influencer discovery and sentiment analysis, catering to diverse monitoring needs of brands in the social media landscape. Plus many of them offer additional services, so it’s good to check them all out to see which one best fits your needs.
What’s Your Favorite Way To Thank Influencers?
This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (https://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. Grab three free ebooks, including the Big Press Release Book and Twitter Tactics, here: https://www.ereleases.com/free-offer/big-press-release-samples-book/