Blog | Unboxing the creator economy

6 tips from Nata Salmela to masterfully manage influencer collaborations

Written by Suvi-Sofia Vainio | Aug 5 2024

Masterfully manage your influencer collaborations

In the dynamic world of influencer marketing, understanding how to navigate collaborations effectively is crucial. To shed light on the secrets to successful influencer campaigns, we had an enlightening conversation with Nata Salmela, a prominent macro influencer based in Finland. With her vast experience, Nata shared valuable insights on how influencers can attract brands, avoid common pitfalls, and build lasting partnerships. Let's dive into her advice!

What traits do brands look for in influencers?

 
In today's competitive landscape, brands seek influencers who can offer more than just a large follower count. According to Nata, one of the key traits that make an influencer appealing is traditional media visibility. The more general publicity and media attention an influencer has, the more appealing they are to brands. This exposure not only boosts an influencer’s credibility but also shows that the influencer has a broad and diverse audience.

Nata emphasises that influencers should consider diversifying their services to include PR work and ad campaigns. By integrating these services, influencers can provide comprehensive solutions that go beyond mere content creation, enhancing their attractiveness and solidifying their role as essential partners in a brand’s marketing strategy.

Common pitfalls in brand collaborations

 
Nata highlights a pitfall that many influencers can fall into: a lack of understanding of the brand's business model and competitive landscape. She notes that there can be a lack awareness of the market challenges and industry regulations that brands face. This gap in knowledge can lead to misaligned content that fails to meet the brand's expectations or resonate with its audience.

To mitigate this risk, Nata advises influencers to invest time in learning about the industries they are collaborating with. This means understanding the brand’s competitive situation, market trends, and the regulatory environment they operate in. By doing so, influencers can create more relevant and impactful content that aligns with the brand’s goals and resonates with their target audience.
 
 

Effective strategies for collaborations

In the collaboration sales process, Nata's approach is strategic and business-oriented. She emphasizes the importance of defining brand objectives and finding solutions that meet the brand's specific needs. Nata sees herself not just as a content creator but as a problem solver who helps brands overcome their challenges and achieve their goals.

Nata's proposals often include brand consulting and strategies to increase brand awareness among various stakeholders. This comprehensive approach positions her as a valuable partner capable of promoting the brand's long-term success. Influencers who want to emulate Nata's success should focus on understanding the brand's challenges and crafting proposals that offer concrete solutions and added value.

Acquiring collaboration partners

For Nata, acquiring collaboration partners is a hands-on process. With over a decade of experience in marketing and sales, she operates independently, leveraging her skills and knowledge to approach potential partners. Nata likens her approach to that of a traditional media sales representative combined with the creative flair of an advertising agency.

Her method involves research and communication with the brand leading to compelling proposals that highlight the mutual benefits of a partnership. This proactive and professional approach has enabled her to build strong relationships with brands and secure collaborations that are mutually beneficial.

Aligning your content with brand goals

To consistently meet or exceed brand expectations, Nata employs a data-driven approach. She ensures that her content reaches the desired target audience and meets the promised metrics, such as the number of reach. Nata places a strong emphasis on reliability, always aiming to overdeliver on her commitments.

She uses data analytics to track the performance of her content and make adjustments as needed. By monitoring her data, Nata is able to interpret content methods that work and utilise them as well in her sales process. This commitment to data-driven results builds trust and credibility with her brand partners, ensuring long-term collaboration and satisfaction.

Essential tips for aspiring influencers

For those of you who aspire to be an influencer, Nata offers several key pieces of advice. First, she underscores how vital it is to have a consistent and frequent posting schedule. Influencers should aim to post daily to keep their audience engaged and maintain visibility.

Nata also stresses that an influencer’s personality and distinctiveness are more crucial than content quality alone. In a crowded market, standing out and being relatable can make a significant difference.

Lastly, she highlights the need for adaptability and a multichannel presence. The social media landscape is constantly evolving, and influencers must be willing to renew their strategies and stay relevant. By being flexible and exploring new platforms, influencers can build a sustainable career and remain commercially attractive in the long term.

 

By following these insights from Nata Salmela, influencers can enhance their appeal to brands and navigate the complexities of influencer marketing more effectively. Whether you're an established influencer or just starting out, these strategies can help you build stronger, more fruitful partnerships in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

 

Photos: Anna Salmisalo

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