Hacking the Algorithm: How South African TikTok Influencers Get Sponsored by Italian Brands

In the near future, it is likely that South African TikTok influencers will secure endorsements from Italian brands.

One of the reasons for this is because Italian brands have reached a point of saturation in their own market. They need to expand and reach international markets, and they are targeting South Africa as part of their international expansion strategy.

They also have the money to do so. The high-end luxury brands that are synonymous with Italy, such as Gucci, Versace, Dior, and Prada, all have deep pockets.

Another reason is that TikTok influencers have become a necessary marketing strategy for brands that want to reach young generations. According to a recent survey, 63% of 16–24-year-olds and 61% of 25–34-year-olds in Italy consider TikTok influencers to be credible sources of information when making purchasing decisions. The same is likely true in South Africa.

Lastly, although TikTok is new to South Africa, the platform is increasing in popularity. South Africa has experienced the fastest growth in TikTok usage compared to all other major global economies.

In a world where Italian brands can make or break your career as a TikTok influencer, it is crucial to stay ahead of the algorithmic curve.

💡 Give Them a Taste of Italian Luxury

If you want to get sponsored by Italian brands, you first need to familiarize yourself with Italian luxury lifestyle.

Then, your TikTok account should reflect this lifestyle.

If your account is filled with videos of you in your room, you will be unlikely to attract the attention of Italian brands. Instead, your account should contain videos of you driving a high-end luxury vehicle, dining in five-star restaurants, and wearing Italian designer fashion.

This will give the impression that you are already living an Italian luxury lifestyle, which will make it easy for Italian brands to envision what they will get when they sponsor you.

It is also crucial to create videos that show you engaging in activities that Italian brands are also interested in. For example, many Italian fashion brands have a keen interest in the art community. Creating videos that showcase your appreciation for the arts will help you gain the attention of these brands.

You should also post videos promoting Italian cuisine. For example, if you are in a restaurant, you should choose to dine on Italian food and engage in activities that require the use of Italian products.

Lastly, you should be on the lookout for any Italian traditions that you can adopt into your lifestyle. For example, if you have recently befriended anyone from Italy, you should inquire about their similarities with South Africa.

By adopting some Italian traditions, you will further promote the idea that you have embraced Italian culture, which will increase your chances of collaborating with Italian brands.

📊 Get Familiar with Italian Brands

In addition to promoting Italian luxury brands on your TikTok account, you should also become familiar with Italian brands that have a significant presence in South Africa.

One of the most significant Italian brands in South Africa is Fiat. Fiat has a long history in South Africa, having operated in the country for over 90 years. The brand has also experienced a recent resurgence in popularity following the release of the popular Fiat 500.

Another significant Italian brand in South Africa is the Italian coffee brand Lavazza. Lavazza has made a name for itself in South Africa by producing high-quality coffee and espresso products.

Lastly, Italian bicycle manufacturer Bianchi is another significant Italian brand in South Africa. Founded in 1885, Bianchi is the oldest bicycle manufacturer in the world and is known for producing high-end bicycles and bicycle accessories.

By promoting these brands on your TikTok account, you will increase your chances of getting noticed by Italian brands. Additionally, these brands will also be more likely to want to collaborate with you, especially if they can see that you are already promoting them.

❗ Avoid Cultural Faux Pas

One of the most important things to keep in mind when collaborating with Italian brands is that you should never make fun of Italy or Italian culture, especially on a public forum like TikTok.

For example, while you may think that posting a video of yourself pretending to speak with an Italian accent is funny, many Italians will see it as offensive.

Additionally, you should avoid perpetuating any stereotypes that Italians may see as negative. For example, while many people believe that Italians are rude, loud, and aggressive, Italians generally see themselves as warm, friendly, and passionate.

If you portray Italians as rude or aggressive in your videos, you are unlikely to get a favorable response from Italian brands.

Lastly, be careful about using Italian words when speaking English. For example, many people like to refer to pizza as “pie” when speaking English. However, in Italy, “pie” simply means “foot.” Referring to pizza as “pie” in your videos may confuse Italians and lead to misunderstandings.

In summary, it is important to familiarize yourself with Italy and Italian culture before collaborating with Italian brands. This will help you avoid making any faux pas that may offend Italians and jeopardize your chances of getting sponsored by Italian brands.

✈️ Use Instagram Insights to Find Italian Brands

Another way to get sponsorship deals with Italian brands is by using Instagram to find Italian brands that are already in South Africa.

Many Italian brands in South Africa have official Instagram accounts that their marketing teams handle. These accounts often post photos in which they tag their products and serve as Italian brands’ representatives in South Africa.

By visiting these brand accounts on Instagram, you will likely find South African influencers who have collaborated with them. You will also obtain useful information about the brand and their marketing campaign.

If you notice that a specific Italian brand has collaborated with a particular South African TikTok influencer, you may want to reach out to them. They may provide insight into how they secured their collaboration deal with the brand.

You should also study the influencers who have collaborated with these brands. If you notice that many of them are in similar niches to yours, it may signify that you should reach out to the brand for a collaboration deal.

In addition to reaching out to them via Instagram, you can also contact them via email. They may provide you with valuable insight into how they got sponsored by the brand.

Another useful feature of Instagram is Insights. Insights can help you determine if you should reach out to specific brands for possible collaboration deals.

To access Insights, you will first need to switch your account to a business account. Once you have switched to a business account, you can access Insights.

Insights will provide you with useful information about your followers, including their locations. If you notice that many of your followers are from a particular country, such as Italy, it may be a good indication that you should reach out to brands in that country.

Lastly, if you notice that many of your followers are from a specific location in Italy, it may indicate that you should reach out to brands in that location. For example, if you notice that many of your followers are from Milan, you may want to reach out to brands based in Milan.

📢 Collaborate with Other Influencers

Lastly, collaborating with other TikTok influencers can help you secure sponsorship deals with Italian brands.

For example, if you coach someone else’s account, you may wish to reach out to the account owner and request to collaborate with them. Your collaboration should aim to promote Italian brands and their products.

Alternatively, if you are an athlete, you may want to reach out to sports teams and clubs. Many sports teams and clubs now hire athletes to create and manage their social media accounts.

If you notice that someone else is managing the account of a sports team or club, reach out to them and request a collaboration. The collaboration should also aim to promote Italian brands.

Collaborating with other TikTok influencers can help you get noticed by Italian brands and increase your chances of securing sponsorship deals with them.

💬 People Also Ask

What are Italian brands?

Italian brands refer to any high-value product line produced in Italy. These brands are often synonymous with high quality, durability, and luxury. Examples of Italian brands include luxury fashion labels such as Gucci, Prada, and Versace.

How do I reach out to brands on TikTok?

To reach out to brands on TikTok, you should first complete your TikTok account. This includes adding a profile photo and completing your bio.

Next, you will want to make sure that you have an email address and a method of contacting you in your bio. Once you have done that, you can reach out to brands via TikTok and other social media platforms.

Why do brands use TikTok influencers?

Brands use TikTok influencers for marketing purposes, especially to reach Generation Z. According to a survey, over 60% of Generation Z consider TikTok influencers to be credible sources of information when making purchasing decisions.

How do I find influencers for my brand?

You can find influencers for your brand by reaching out to them via email or contacting them through their social media accounts. Alternatively, you can also use influencer marketing platforms to find influencers for your brand.

📣 Conclusion

In conclusion, this is an exciting time to be a TikTok influencer in South Africa.

With Italian brands needing to establish a foothold in South Africa and TikTok influencers being the best way to do so, South African TikTok influencers are in a great position to start partnering with Italian brands.

The landscape of social media influencer marketing is constantly evolving. As TikTok continues to rise in popularity in South Africa, it is crucial for aspiring influencers to stay ahead of the curve. Following these steps will help you get noticed by Italian brands.

BaoLiba will continue to update South African influencer marketing trends, so please follow us!