What do you do if your client's expectations in influencer marketing are unrealistic?

It's really important to set realistic and clear goals for our influencer campaign. Influencer marketing could never be THE ONLY CHANNEL or evaluated only through acquisition. Influencer marketing is a great channel to increase brand awareness, but not all people are ready to become a client now.

If your client's expectations in influencer marketing are unrealistic, showcase proven results from previous campaigns. It's essential to communicate that influencer marketing is not the golden ticket to successful marketing that many clients assume it to be. Help them assess if influencer marketing is the best fit for their products or services.

If you are faced with unrealistic client expectations in influencer marketing, I would immediately initiate open and transparent communication. Try to gently dducate the client on industry norms and make them aware of the potential limitations, if possible providing data-backed insights to support your rationale. Collaboratively redefine objectives and KPIs to align with realistic, achievable outcomes.It's also wise to offer if possible alternative strategies or adjustments to the campaign scope that maintain feasibility while still meeting client objectives. Most of all prioritise building trust and managing expectations this will ensure a successful partnership and mitigate potential disappointment.

When you are faced with unrealistic goals it is up to you to ground your client to reality. Their goals being high can happen with steps. Start them with the most attainable step first. SMART goals help with this. The "A" is attainable. Question if that goal is attainable at the time the goal was set. If not minimize said goal so that it can be reached.

If your clients expectations are unrealistic your first step is really understanding what their goals are and help to educate them on what is possible within thir budget. It may be a lack of experience on their part and not understanding what outcomes can be expected.

Influencer marketing can be intimidating for the uninitiated. Brands who are used to having full control over their messaging may be reluctant to let a creator own the narrative. Help your client along by talking them through your process and showcase examples of what works and why to help put them at ease.

I'd start by setting up a meeting to talk things through, coming prepared with data and examples to clearly illustrate realistic goals. I'd also highlight past successes and use industry benchmarks to establish a realistic framework. Then, it’s about finding a middle ground! Aligning their goals with what’s practically possible, perhaps even suggesting a phased approach to gradually scale their campaign. Communication is crucial here! Keeping it open and flexible to manage expectations and adjust strategies as needed is the way to go.

If your client is new to influencer marketing, they may not be familiar with the overall process and best practices. Be ready to explain compensation rates, exclusivity durations, and the value of establishing meaningful partnerships with influencers.

Setting expectations BEFORE you begin working on an influencer campaign is essential to success. This is especially true if you are working on the agency side for a client or brand. Most in-house teams have limited experience with the process of an influencer campaign and putting together a timeline and breaking down what they can expect in terms of the process can be really valuable for them. You'll also want to make sure you explain the strategy behind your recommendations as you go through the process including the brief, the influencer selection recommendations and the creative concepts from the influencers.

Discuss the limits of influencer marketing. Some brands mistakenly believe that influencer content can replace what would typically be meant for a commercial. Inform your clients that influencers have to create content in an authentic manner so that it actually resonates with their audience.

It's also essential to understand when you have to quit a collaboration. A client who sets unrealistic goals or does not listen to your suggestions could only be a detriment to your future work and to his brand.

Depending on the product and budget, influencer marketing can achieve specific goals. However, not all products and markets are a good fit for influencer marketing. Not all campaigns will bring in direct sales. If your account has unrealistic goals and they aren't open to being flexible, it may be time to walk away. Not all partnerships are good fits. Influencer marketing can't be forced. Sometimes the best thing to do is to part as friends.

If you're new walk away earlier than you think. It's hard to convince people of your value once they've made up their minds. It's something i wished i learned earlier on in my career. It's 1000% better to spend your energy on new clients who are excited about what you can bring to the table.

If you have explained, in a professional and honest way, why your are right and they are wrong and they still disagree then your next move depends on how high the risk is. If the project is small and risk is high then walk away. However, if there is a potential for a longer term partnership, it may be worth doing exactly what they ask. Worse case you prove them wrong and get to do it your way the 2nd time round. Best case what they are insisting on actually works and you have learnt a new way of achieving a goal.

If you can, back up your campaign results with past data or industry benchmarks from relevant influencer marketing campaigns. Every campaign is different and past results do not indicate future success.