What do you do if your social media influencers are difficult to manage?

We establish clear, documented agreements outlining expectations, deliverables, and communication protocols to mitigate misunderstandings. Regular check-ins are crucial, not just for project tracking but also for building rapport and addressing concerns proactively. It's also vital to provide influencers with creative freedom within the agreed framework; this not only respects their expertise and audience knowledge but often leads to more authentic and effective content. When challenges arise, we prioritize open, honest dialogue, seeking solutions that respect both our brand's objectives and the influencer's personal brand.

Setting expectations with influencers is like laying down house rules for a rockstar staying in your guest room. You want them to feel at home but also remind them that the indoor pool is not a mosh pit. Draft an "Influencer Agreement" in the style of a concert rider. Include all the must-haves, like deliverables and deadlines, but throw in some quirky clauses, like "must post one cat meme per week," to keep things light-hearted and clear.

Setting expectations for both sides is very important. If you worked with difficult influencers already, you will know how important the contractual side is, in case something escalates. Having clear and professional guidelines from the beginning on will help the influencers to understand what is expected from their end, but also what they can expect in return. A good contract is the basis of working together, it should be clear to everyone who is involved. Also, make sure to check in regularly to ensure that the influencers you are working with are aligned with your brand / company and to identify early if actions need to be taken.

Maintaining open dialogue with influencers is like being in a relationship. You've got to communicate, listen, and occasionally deal with them leaving their dirty socks (unapproved content) on the living room floor (your brand's social media page). Schedule regular "State of the Union" meetings with your influencers, where you can openly discuss what's working and what's not. Make it feel like a cozy fireside chat, complete with virtual marshmallows and constructive feedback.

Provide feedback and make sure the influencers can do the same. Not having open dialogues can lead to a lot of frustration and make it difficult to work together. If you want to be heard, you have to listen. Speaking openly will allow you to grow with the relationship and foster it for the future. And don't forget: this is not only for constructive feedback, but to share positivity.

Providing support to influencers is like being a stage crew for a diva. They shine in the spotlight because you're backstage making sure they don't trip over the cables (brand guidelines). Create a "Backstage Pass" for your influencers that gives them access to exclusive resources, like content ideas and personal branding tips. It's a VIP experience that shows you're invested in their success and your brand's harmony.

Be supportive! You should not just throw the work on the influencer, but make sure they feel good about it, answer any additional questions, and provide ideas or insights on the product and what worked well in the past. Their success is your success, you have to work together. You don't just have a contract with an influencer but a partnership - so act like a partner!

Social media influencers don't work for you, so they're always difficult to manage. To minimize this, seek influencers who are already aligned with your agenda before they start working with you. Otherwise, it's real cat herding.