People Trust Social Media Influencers As Much As Their Own Friends
 |
| YouTube |
The results of the survey found that at least 40% of the users questioned had bought a product because of a social media user. This could have been anything from a piece of makeup, a video game or even a book. The survey asked users about influencers spread across Vine, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. The survey also looked at how many of these users shared what these influencers were promoting and that 20% do. In all honesty, it's surprising that more people didn't share these promotions, A lot of them won't just be like ads on TV or the web and will contain content that people are interested in. It's the reason these promotions work so well because not only can users see real people wearing or using the product, they can see it presented in a more fun or dynamic way as well without it looking too fake. It's down to this that 49% of the 300 users actually rely on the social media influencers for recommendations, even if they've yet to actually buy something.
So why work this all out? Twitter has come to realise that people really are turning to their phones more and that's great for them but they needed to see what they're actually influencing. Twitter host ads but they don't always work great, yet these have all of these so-called "handheld names" on their platforms and others telling people to go out and buy this or that. If Twitter could influence the influencers, then there's more potential revenue there for them.
I think what Twitter did forget to look into is the phenomenon of haul posts across social media. In those cases, you don't have to be paid to share someone's product. Twitter's survey reads like it's focused on paid promotion when those are the types of social media post that get the least attention. In haul posts, influencers are just sharing what they went out and brought. This could be almost anything and yes, they may promote stuff they've been sent as well, but the stuff they go out and buy is always going to stand out. With haul videos more users are likely to watch than share but it's how some influencers become prominent. It could be anything from toys to beauty products. I told my best friend about these dolls I knew she'd want as she's a fan of the series they're taken from and she got excited because a Youtuber she watches has them and she'd seen them in a video. She didn't want them because an influencer had them, but it made her excited to see someone she admires with something that she would want anyway. In a way that is what it comes down to. We look upon these names like we do celebrities, but they can be anyone. We mostly trust what they come out with, but not even half of the users they influence would go out and buy something they own. They just like seeing the products and they trust that if these users like them, then they must be good but not always good enough.
This survey was important though as Twitter did need to look at the influence of social media. If they want to advertise well, then they need to know how their users are influenced and how they encourage other users to be influenced too.
Rosina is a Songbird writer with a degree in Creative Writing. She's trying to focus on her novel on the side but is glad to be playing around with apps and writing about them in the mean time! Follow her @Songbird_Rosina
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com
People Trust Social Media Influencers As Much As Their Own Friends
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.