CXO today In an exclusive interview with Anushree Jain, SocialTAG Co-Founder
- Can you tell us the story behind the founding of SocialTAG and what inspired you to start an influencer marketing agency?
– My journey to create SocialTAG was like a combination of passions meeting at the right moment. I've always been fascinated by how media can bring people together. As I became more familiar with marketing, I realized there was a growing need for real voices to advocate for brands.
Then, a lightbulb moment arrived and SocialTAG was born. The idea was simple. Bring brands and influencers closer together to build real connections with consumers. On top of that, make the entire process of turning an idea into a campaign smoother. It's all about making things easier and more personal.
- What makes SocialTAG different from other influencer marketing agencies in the industry?
– What sets SocialTAG apart is our focus on authentic relationships and authenticity. We don't just match brands and influencers. We hand-pick creators who truly resonate with our brand's values and audience. Our personalized approach makes each campaign feel authentic and drives real engagement. Additionally, our team's creativity and dedication to innovation keep us ahead of the curve and constantly bring new ideas and strategies to our clients.
- How do you identify and select the right influencers for your client's campaigns?
– Finding the right influencer is like finding a needle in a haystack, but it’s a challenge we love. We start by understanding our client's goals and audience. Next, explore social media platforms to find influencers whose values align with your brand. We value credibility, engagement, and relevance, not just follower count. And of course, we always thoroughly vet influencers to ensure they are a perfect fit for our clients' campaigns. We believe that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to influencer partnerships.
- How do you ensure authenticity and transparency in your influencer partnerships to maintain trust with your audience?
– For us at SocialTAG, authenticity and transparency are non-negotiable. We believe that honesty is the best policy, especially when partnering with influencers. That's why we strive for complete transparency in all our collaborations. From publishing sponsored content to making sure our influencers truly believe in the products they promote, we work harder than ever to maintain our audience's trust. Building trust is key in influencer marketing, and we prioritize honesty and integrity in all our campaigns.
- As the social media landscape continues to evolve, what are some new trends and strategies that SocialTAG is currently exploring?
– The social media landscape is constantly evolving and we are always on the lookout for new trends and strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Right now, we're particularly excited about the rise of nano- and micro-influencers and the power of niche communities. From leveraging new platforms like Snapchat to exploring interactive content formats like AR filters and quizzes, we're constantly pushing the boundaries of influencer marketing. We are also exploring innovative formats such as live streaming and interactive content to keep our viewers engaged. We believe in staying adaptable, agile and always ready to embrace the next big thing in influencer marketing.
- How does SocialTAG measure the success and ROI of influencer marketing campaigns?
– Success for us is more than just likes and shares. Measuring the success of an influencer marketing campaign goes beyond likes and shares. At SocialTAG, we focus on tangible results that impact our clients' bottom lines. We measure the impact of campaigns in terms of brand awareness, engagement, and ultimately sales. We use a combination of metrics and analytical tools to track the ROI of your influencer marketing campaigns and optimize your strategy accordingly. Additionally, we constantly collect feedback from both influencers and viewers to assess the overall impact of our campaigns.
- What do you think are the common misconceptions about influencer marketing and how does SocialTAG address them?
– One of the common misconceptions about influencer marketing is that it’s all about vanity metrics like number of followers. But at SocialTAG, we know it all too well. We believe in quality over quantity, so we prioritize engagement and reliability over sheer numbers. We also value long-term partnerships rather than one-off collaborations, fostering trust and loyalty between brands and influencers. We also educate our clients on the value of micro-influencers and the power of niche audiences to drive meaningful results.
- Can you talk about the importance of diversity and inclusion in influencer marketing and how SocialTAG incorporates these values into its approach?
– Diversity and inclusion are at the core of everything we do at SocialTAG. We believe that representation matters, so we're committed to working with influencers from all walks of life. Regardless of race, gender or body type, we strive to showcase the diverse tapestry of humanity in our campaigns. Amplifying diverse voices not only empowers influencers but also makes your brand's message more inclusive and relatable.
- How does SocialTAG overcome challenges such as influencer fraud and fake followers in the industry?
– Influencer fraud and fake followers are an unfortunate reality of the industry, but we don’t let them deter us. We have a rigorous vetting process in place to weed out fake influencers and ensure the authenticity of our partnerships. We use advanced analytics tools to verify influencers' audiences and ensure they're authentic and engaged. Additionally, we constantly monitor for signs of fraud and take prompt action to protect our clients' interests. We also prioritize building long-term relationships based on trust and transparency, which helps us eliminate fraud.
- Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of influencer marketing and how is SocialTAG preparing for it?
– When it comes to the future of influencer marketing, it’s likely to become even more personalized and immersive. Brands will continue to move away from traditional advertising and toward more authentic, story-driven content. At SocialTAG, we are preparing for this shift by investing in creative storytelling and experiential marketing. He also looks to emerging platforms like YouTube Shorts and his Snapchat to explore new ways to connect with his audience in real time. The possibilities are endless and I can't wait to see where the future takes us.
