Ngena all your queries on LinkedIn influencer marketing in India for South African brands
I can tell you for free that you will get the best LinkedIn influencer marketing engagement from South Asian influencers, especially in India.
If you want to get ahead of the pack, you must step into the private sector, and who better than to help you do that than India’s private sector itself?
You can achieve that feat via India’s LinkedIn influencers, who have the best B2B approach for the private sector that can help you thrive at all your endeavors.
This is also your one-stop guide you can refer to when you are ready to tap into India’s influencer potential.
Be sure to check it out for any questions you may have.
๐ The LinkedIn influencer marketing scene in India
Now, more than ever, India boasts a grand scene for influencer marketing across various platforms, including LinkedIn.
Since the pandemic, brands and agencies have had to rethink their marketing strategies.
They have come to terms with the fact that reaching out to customers online is more efficient than engaging them physically.
With this development came the recognition of the influence that online influencers have on their audiences.
This has pushed brands to engage influencers to facilitate their digital marketing strategies and policies in order to tap into the influencer’s fanbase.
This is how India got her groove back when it comes to influencer marketing.
And India is not that shy kid that used to sit at the back of the classroom anymore.
India is now the best in the game!
According to a recent statistical report, India is now the world’s biggest hub for influencer marketing, leading the industry in the number of marketing agencies and brands tapping into it.
The LinkedIn influencer marketing industry itself has rapidly gained popularity since the pandemic.
Brands now understand the importance of LinkedIn as an essential space for B2B influencer marketing.
Statistically, it is the only platform that delivers B2B leads six times more than any other platform.
This statistic alone has put LinkedIn on top of the influencer marketing rankings in India, as Indians are some of the most participative users of LinkedIn in the world.
They are also the third most participative users of LinkedIn in Asia behind the Philippines and Indonesia, and only ranked behind the Philippines in the South Asian region.
In recent years, India ranked first in Asia and second in the world for the highest spend on influencer marketing.
A clear indication of how much the social media industry, and LinkedIn in particular, has grown and paved the way since the pandemic.
According to a recent survey, 68% of marketer respondents stated they had plans to spend more on influencer marketing across various platforms, that is a staggering 20% increase from last year.
This brings tremendous potential for marketing agencies and brands to flourish through influencer engagement in India.
LinkedIn as a B2B marketing platform delivers high-performing leads for those who seek to tap into India’s vast consumer market.
๐ฉโ๐ค The Indian LinkedIn influencer
Indians have the highest spend on influencer marketing in Asia, and Indian influencers are nothing short of that spend.
Just like any influencer across the world, LinkedIn influencers in India know what they are doing, and they are cashing in on that proficiency to help brands achieve their goals.
India has a cadre of LinkedIn influencers covering various fields and sectors, and their influencer marketing avenues are no less.
LinkedIn influencers in India are adept professionals who have already made their mark in their respective fields and sectors.
These influencers have an abundance of experience and expertise.
As such, they can easily influence their audiences, as they have walked the walk and can attest to their journey.
They can reach out to an audience that brands cannot reach on their own.
For instance, the likes of Anand Mahindra, founder of India’s Mahindra conglomerate, has claimed the title of India’s number one LinkedIn influencer, and he is not the only big shot on the platform.
You can find c-suiters, government officials, entrepreneurs, executives, and other high-ranking professionals on the platform, and there is no shortage of pent-up demand for the private sector in India.
These professionals have amassed followers in the thousands and millions.
This is where their true value lies, in their audience size.
This puts them in the best position to be an effective marketing intermediary for brands looking to tap into their audience.
Since they already have an established audience, they wouldn’t have to spend so much time trying to build their audience up just to promote your brand.
They have already done that work, and they can put their audience to work for your brand at the snap of a finger.
With Indian LinkedIn influencers, your marketing woes shall be but a distant memory.
๐ฑ Costs of LinkedIn influencer marketing in India
As an aspiring foreign brand or marketing agency that seeks to tap into India’s influencer potential, you have to take stock of all your promotional resources.
Understandably, you want to glean the maximum yield from your marketing efforts without spending a fortune, and who can blame you?
Fortunately, there is good news when it comes to marketing expenditures in India.
According to The LinkedIn influencer marketing industry in India survey, the average cost of a LinkedIn sponsored post with an influencer in India is $154 (about R2,830 ZAR), compared to the $214 (about R3,950 ZAR) average cost across the globe.
This is incredible when you think about the bargaining power you have over Indian LinkedIn influencers to get your money’s worth when you engage them.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $5 (about R90 ZAR) and $750 (about R13,750 ZAR) when engaging an Indian LinkedIn influencer for your influencer marketing campaign.
This fee can cover the influencer promoting your content on their profile or creating and posting content that promotes your brand on their profile.
That is not much to pay, especially considering the audiences that Indian LinkedIn influencers can help you tap into.
๐ The ROI of LinkedIn influencer marketing in India
The average return on investment for influencer marketing campaigns is about $5.20 (about R95 ZAR) for every dollar spent, and this is true for India as well.
According to the same survey, Indian marketers have reported a staggering average return on investment of $10.88 (about R200 ZAR) for every dollar spent.
That is nearly double the average worldwide.
The same survey also revealed that 77% of Indian influencer marketing agencies and brands reported to see a positive return on their investments.
That is a very high figure in terms of marketing metrics.
Of course, this will vary for each brand or marketing agency depending on your marketing strategies or policies, but the prospects are certainly promising.
๐งฉ Factors affecting LinkedIn influencer marketing costs in India
There are a few factors that can affect costs when engaging an Indian LinkedIn influencer.
These factors can range from how popular the influencer is, to how many posts you want them to make, and more.
1. Influencer tier
Influencer marketing agencies in India usually categorize influencers into different tiers according to their audience size.
These tiers usually follow this scale:
- Nano-influencers: 1,000 - 10,000 followers
- Micro-influencers: 10,000 - 50,000 followers
- Mid-tier influencers: 50,000 - 250,000 followers
- Macro-influencers: 250,000 - 1 million followers
- Mega-influencers: 1 million plus followers
The more followers an influencer has, the more they usually charge for their services.
Nano and micro influencers usually charge the least, while macro and mega influencers charge the most.
2. Scope of work
Just like influencer tiers, every influencer’s scope of work will be different.
Some influencers are more experienced than others and can offer more in terms of services.
Some influencers might only promote your content or brand, while others may create and post content that promotes your brand.
More work usually means higher pay.
3. Your negotiation skills
When negotiating with an influencer, there is usually a back-and-forth exchange of offers until an agreement can be reached.
This means that you can get a better deal if you know what to say and how to say it.
Developing sound negotiation skills can help you save money on marketing expenses and increase your overall returns.
๐ Where to find Indian LinkedIn influencers
Finding Indian LinkedIn influencers is a breeze if you know where to look.
A good avenue to start your search for Indian LinkedIn influencers is on LinkedIn itself.
By using the search function in the LinkedIn app or website, you can use keywords related to your niche.
This will help you find influencers that specialize in niches relevant to your brand.
Another way to find influencers is through influencer marketing agencies in India.
These agencies act as intermediaries between brands and influencers.
They usually have a roster of influencers that they can connect you with depending on your marketing needs.
Here are a few influencer marketing agencies in India that you can check out for Indian LinkedIn influencers:
- Social Beat: A full-service digital marketing agency specializing in influencer marketing, social media marketing, and performance marketing.
- Blusteak Media: A Mumbai-based influencer marketing agency specializing in social media marketing and content marketing.
- The D21 Agency: A New Delhi-based influencer marketing agency specializing in social media marketing and digital marketing.
These agencies can help you find the right Indian LinkedIn influencer for your marketing needs.
๐ Conclusion
India’s influencer marketing industry is booming.
Brands and marketing agencies are increasingly turning to influencer partnerships to help them reach their marketing goals.
According to a recent survey, India has the highest number of brands and agencies turning to influencer marketing than any other country in the world.
This is a great opportunity for South African brands and marketing agencies to tap into India’s influencer potential and get a slice of that promotional pie.
If you need help with finding brand ambassadors, don’t hesitate to reach out.
India has a surplus of influencer marketing agencies that can assist you.
Or, should you wish to have the luxury of turning to just one marketing partner, you can simply find one that specializes in global marketing.