We recently hosted the very first Influencer Summit and it was a huge success! This summit was all about providing valuable insights and actionable advice to help influencers take their blogs and platforms to the next level, turning them into profitable businesses.
The event took place at Aveika in Newcastle and featured some of the North East’s top influencers, each sharing their unique experiences and expertise on how to transform a blog into a thriving business. Here’s a breakdown of our three expert speakers and some key takeaways from the day.
Table of Contents
Alice Fairweather – Working with Brands
Alice, founder of Zest of Alice a lifestyle blog, kicked off the summit by diving into the art of working with brands. She shared her experience from her day job in a marketing agency on pitching to brands and managing collaborations, emphasising the importance of professional communication. Her tips were invaluable for influencers looking to turn partnerships into long term business relationships.
Key Takeaway
Know your value – Alice emphasised that influencers should have a clear understanding of their worth and the unique value they bring to the table when negotiating brand deals. Don’t undersell yourself, communicate your strengths, audience insights, and potential ROI for the brand.
Ashleigh Money Saver – Mastering Affiliate Marketing
Ashleigh from Ashleigh Money Saver is a seasoned expert in affiliate marketing, and she gave attendees an inside look into how to leverage affiliate programmes to monetise their content. Ashleigh discussed how influencers can earn commissions from products they already love and recommend, revealing how much money she makes from various style posts and affiliate links. Her transparency gave attendees a real understanding of how lucrative affiliate marketing can be.
Key Takeaway
Start small but be consistent – Ashleigh’s advice was to begin by incorporating affiliate links into your blog posts or social media content, but to do so consistently. Over time, these small actions can lead to a steady stream of passive income.
Carly Musleh – Building an Organic Following
With over 8 million views on YouTube, Carly Musleh of Beauty Sauce shared her expertise on growing an organic following. Carly focused on how to build a genuine audience through authenticity, consistent content, and understanding trends. She talked about the importance of predicting trends to stay ahead in the ever evolving online world, which is key for gaining popularity and engagement.
Key Takeaway
Quality over quantity – Carly’s biggest piece of advice was to focus on creating high quality content that resonates with your audience, rather than trying to chase followers. A smaller, more engaged audience is more valuable than a large but inactive one.
3 Tips to Take Away
The Influencer Summit was filled with actionable insights, but if we had to boil it down, here are the three main tips that every blogger and influencer should take away to build a profitable business:
1. Diversify Your Income Streams
Don’t rely on just one source of income like sponsored posts. Explore affiliate marketing, product creation, digital products, or even offering your services to brands directly. This ensures that your income isn’t dependent on one area, making your business more sustainable in the long run.
2. Authenticity is Key
Whether you’re working with brands or building your following, being genuine is what will set you apart from the rest. Audiences today are savvy and can easily spot when content feels forced or inauthentic. Stick to your voice, and work with brands that align with your values to keep your followers engaged.
3. Leverage Data to Your Advantage
As Alice emphasised, understanding your worth goes beyond follower counts. Use your analytics and insights to show brands your true value. Focus on metrics like engagement rates, reach, and audience demographics to make a compelling case when pitching to brands.
Final Thoughts
The Influencer Summit was a powerful reminder that with the right strategies, influencers can turn their passion projects into viable businesses. Each of our speakers brought a wealth of knowledge that can help influencers grow, monetise, and build lasting relationships with brands.
If you’re ready to take your blog or platform to the next level, these tips from the experts should be your starting point.
