Pulse September 2017 | Page 52

“Influencers provide the opportunity for a brand to cultivate a genuine relationship. if there is a connection, they will continue to support the brand organically as they continue to expand their reach.” — rEGiNE bErtHElot, treatment Manager, caudalie vinotherapie Spa, New york city Influencers also portray an authentic image by using their content to tell personal stories about their experiences with a skincare product or what they did on a weekend spa trip. This authentic image builds trust between the influencer and her audience, which, in turn, makes the influencer’s recommenda- tions even more trustworthy. How to choose an influencer The first step in targeting an influencer to work with is to focus on the right content areas. Most successful influencers tend to fall under a small number of verticals to specialize their content and appeal to a specific demographic. Spas and spa industry vendors should focus on tapping into the power of influencers who specialize in content related to lifestyle, fitness, wellness, beauty and travel in order to reach a desirable market. Next, look at the influencer’s reach in terms of monthly page views, engagement and number of followers on social platforms. At first thought, it may seem obvious to choose influencers who have the largest reach. However, so-called “microinfluencers” (loosely defined as influencers with between 1,000 and 10,000 highly engaged followers) are becoming increasingly popular for their influence over a smaller, more niche audience. “Whether a highly targeted audience, or someone with exceptional photography skills, there can certainly be great value in partnering with microinfluencers, even with a smaller audience,” adds Packer. “Microinfluencers also might have smaller audiences that are geographically specific, which allows very targeted exposure to a key market.” (coNtINUEd oN PAGE 52) 50 PULSE ■ September 2017 Natasha oakley and devin brugman of A Bikini A Day hosted several pop-up events featuring caudalie products. Photo c/o A Bikini A Day.