Podcast Episode 8: How To Detect Fake Influencer Followers On Instagram [Infographic]

 

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Marketing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them) Podcast Series

Join Stacy Jones, the CEO and founder of Los Angeles entertainment agency Hollywood Branded. Learn from her 20 years of experience as she shares top notched advice on marketing best practices for brands and walks you through how to leverage entertainment content and influencer partnerships to increase your brand’s overall consumer engagement and most importantly, your sales.

In this Marketing Mistakes podcast episode, Hollywood Branded's CEO, Stacy Jones, shares 5 easy ways to detect fake influencer follower on Instagram. 




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Instagram Stats

Right now, the most popular - and still growing - influencer platform easily is Instagram. And regardless of age, it's trending across kids, millennials and even baby boomers.  In fact, Instagram has more than 600 million users,  which makes it a strategic marketing platform for all sizes of businesses. 

Here are some interesting stats about Instagram:

  • 700 million daily active Instagram users
  • 200 million active Instagram stories users
  • 20% of all internet users use Instagram
  • Instagram users are pretty evenly split – 49% female, 51% male
  • Average monthly follower growth for Instagram users is 16%
  • Average engagement rate for all Instagram posts is 1.1%
  • 90% of Instagram users are younger than 35

Why Some Influencers Buy Fake Followers

Just as much as your brand is looking for an influencer, an influencer is wanting as many brands as they can get to notice them.  

So that's where buying fake influencers comes in.  Why?  Even if they are a smaller influencer and have FANTASTIC content, they probably are not getting as much notice.

For one, the more followers, the more likely you are going to do a double take and actually take notice of the influencer.   And pay them money.    Because after all - that IS why so many influencers have built up their follower base.  It's not just to be popular.

For another, it also helps the influencer grab attention of more potential followers - they see the follower count and think "wow that's a lot of followers - what am I missing out on?"  And join.   

So what's an Instagrammer to do?  Buy fake followers. Look big.  Reel in brand partnerships.

We aren't saying everyone does this.  But it's not an uncommon practice.  


So Why It Matters... And How To Catch Fake Influencer Followers

Today, most influencers are being paid on a CPM basis - that means Cost Per Thousand.  So an influencer is expecting to be paid somewhere between $10 and $30 or so (depending on the type of content they are creating) per every 1,000 followers they have.  The numbers scale down a bit as the influencer becomes SUPER big - because otherwise no brand could actually afford them.  

But if their numbers are padded - and we aren't talking about 'dead' accounts where people have just drifted off into no-where land - then your brand is paying for those followers too.  And that sucks.

So we've come up with an infographic below to help you see if the influencer you are speaking with is on the level and up and up, or if they have bought tens of thousands of followers in order to look bigger.  It doesn't mean you shouldn't work with that influencer - but it DOES mean that with a little know-how, you might be able to have some better negotiating power.


The Infographic You've Been Waiting For

Check out our infographic below and learn the 5 Steps To Catch Deceiver Influencers On Instagram.  Like it? Please let us know in our comments so we can feel some of your love and appreciation... and inspire us to create some more helpful guides!!!

5 Ways To Find Fake Influencer Followers.png

Do you want to connect with real social influencers but don't know how to start? Download our Insider's Guide To Social Influencer Campaigns Infographic by clicking this link!


The Marketing Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them) Weekly Podcast

Want to learn more how product placement magic happens and celebrity event activations or influencer partnerships help your sales?  Visit HollywoodBranded.com to gain access to free content to learn which key tactics best fit your brand. You’ll find surveys, webinars, daily blogs, e-books and guides, all created to make sure you have access to the best possible marketing practices.  Don’t forget to join Stacy Jones for our next podcast conversation about Marketing Mistakes and How To Avoid Them!  Let’s make that entertainment marketing magic happen for you!   

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