PRSA Colorado Chapter: Winning Influencer Collaborations

The influencer marketing industry continues to grow. In fact, it's predicted to be worth $24 billion by the end of 2024. For every dollar spent on influencer marketing, an average of $5.20 is earned. Now more than ever, this strategy deserves your attention.

PRSA Colorado was recently joined by 10 prominent local influencers and content creators for a panel discussion about creating winning partnerships between influencers and brands.

During the lively and engaging discussion moderated by past president Michelle Ellis, principal at Ellis Communications, our animated panelists entertained and delighted the crowd with valuable insights illustrated with personal stories and took the time to enthusiastically answer our many questions.

Authenticity, transparency, and clarity were the main themes of the conversation.

A few key takeaways from the evening:

Before reaching out to a creator, it’s essential to get familiar with their brand. Ask yourself if their followers are your target demographic. Are your brand values aligned with theirs? It’s important to make sure your brands are an authentic match.

Get clear on the details of what you’re looking for and what you’re offering in return before approaching an influencer.

Be transparent from the start about expectations, deliverables, budgets, and timelines.

Good pitches are precise and set expectations, clearly stating what is being asked and offered. If a pitch seems too pushy or too “sales-y” the influencer may write it off as a scam.

It’s also a good idea to think beyond having an influencer create a post for your company. For example, will the business be monitoring comments on sponsored posts and jumping in to respond? If so, what criteria would trigger a response from them vs. the creator?

After our discussion and Q & A session, we were able to mingle with the creators from the panel and enjoy the venue, a bright & quirky bar nestled inside an exciting new immersive art exhibit.

We also had the opportunity to experience the connected interactive art space Shiki Dreams by Prismajic, which has been listed among the top 4 immersive experiences in the country by USA Today.

A huge thank you to our event sponsors, Prismajic, and to our panel experts: