Most trends suggest that social media and influencer marketing are only going to become more important for online business. Consumers are already glued to their phones, and it is increasingly important for businesses and advertisers to have a presence where people are already looking. Social media platforms offer advertising options, but these methods often yield minimal engagement. Influencers offer a more viable advertising network which leads to greater brand trust, recognition and visibility. In this article we’ll take a look at the benefits of influencer marketing for expats.
Popularity and Expertise
Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley have carved out a place among the world’s most popular tourist destinations. The ancient Incan ruins drive a lot of physical traffic to Peru, and keywords associated with the destination also drive a huge amount of online traffic. Every day thousands of people search for lodging, transportation, and ticket prices relevant to the area.
Expats living in Lima, Cusco, or elsewhere in Peru have firsthand knowledge of all the best services and activities available for consumption. Local influencers are able to provide up to the minute information on special deals and trends. If a new restaurant becomes a local hot spot, an influencer can provide the kind of instantaneous update that might not appear in a tour book for six to twelve months.
Mutual Advantage
The social media accounts of expats living abroad can be easily monetized through an affiliation with an influencer portal. Many expats already offer travel blogs with pertinent information into their area. They have great pictures, and superior knowledge of the area. What travel bloggers often lack is a complete understanding of the curiosity and needs of tourists and businesses interested in their zone of expertise.
Influencer marketing allows bloggers and other social media personalities another venue through which they can interact with a larger audience. Travel writing with a marketing emphasis is similar to working on assignment. Influencer marketing allows bloggers a new perspective on what is externally interesting in their area, and provides financial compensation for researching the topic and publishing their findings.
For an example of how you can transform a travel blog into an important component of a lucrative marketing enterprise, check out this interview with media influencer Eileen Rhein.
Travel Trends
Popular culture also has an influence on how people travel, and by keeping track of the trends you can make sure your social media accounts, and travel writing remain relevant. Social media influences where people go and how people get there.
Ecological activism has long been important on social media, and that influence is now spreading to the travel industry. In 2020 and beyond, there will be a greater emphasis on green travel that has more of an Earth-first focus. This trend will manifest in many different ways. For example, many travelers already focus on using recyclable containers rather than plastic bottles. But in the future it is likely that there will be pressure to replace high emission modes of transport with those powered by renewable fuels.
A Brave New World of Influencer Marketing
Social media platforms allow individuals to express their opinions and observations in a way that has a measurable affect on human behavior. It is an exciting development because the variety of views expressed help prevent the development of a single, controlled narrative. Although the multitude of voices on social media can often sound chaotic, the situation is preferable to only having access to a single, clear voice spewing propaganda.
Expats are in a unique position to combine their local expertise with the informational needs of the tourism community. Travel blogs and the social media accounts of influencers living abroad are the best sources of up to date information. Furthermore, advertisers can benefit from the engagement and trust these influencers develop with their readers.
