3 Proven Tactics to Turn Influencer Marketing into a Revenue Powerhouse

The influencer marketing industry is expected to grow to $24 billion this year — and for good reason. Today, influencer marketing has evolved far beyond just being a brand awareness play. Instead, a growing number of marketers are activating creators to create engaging, relatable content that truly impacts the bottom line. 

But it’s not as simple as working with influencers on a one-off campaign basis. To drive lower funnel results, you need to incorporate these 3 proven tactics and turn influencer marketing into a revenue-generating machine. 

1. Boost direct sales with affiliate marketing.

Influencer-affiliate marketing is one of the most effective ways to drive immediate sales at scale. Brands provide creators with a unique affiliate link or promo code to track the sales that each creator drives, and creators get paid for every conversion they bring in. So, when a consumer discovers a product through a creator’s content, they’re able to click their affiliate link and easily check out — streamlining the path to purchase and supercharging conversions.

However, asking influencers to join your affiliate program under a commission-only structure isn’t always the best approach. Many creators view sales-based compensation as a risky proposition, making it feel like a path to "selling out."

To make your affiliate program more enticing to join (and more successful for your business), consider starting with a pay-per-post model and offering creators the additional incentive of revenue-sharing should they choose to share their affiliate link or code. This hybrid approach provides creators with a guaranteed payment upfront, while also encouraging them to continuously promote your brand in their content. 

Once you get the ball rolling, gamify your affiliate program to encourage creators to actively participate and continuously drive sales over a long period of time. Turn your affiliate program into a game of friendly competition by introducing incentives such as:

• Tiered commissions: Instead of paying affiliates a flat commission rate for the conversions they drive, build a tiered commission structure to motivate affiliates to move up the commission ladder as they drive more sales.
• Free product giveaways: Consider hosting a monthly giveaway, raffle, or contest tied to key performance metrics. For example, affiliates who generate at least 5 sales in a given month could qualify for an exclusive product giveaway at the end of the month.
• Special bonuses over holidays: Seasonal events and retail holidays offer the perfect opportunity to supercharge affiliate sales. Offer special rewards that stack on top of your existing affiliate incentives — the more enticing, the better.

These tactics not only motivate creators to push harder to reach a short-term sales goal, but also create excitement around your affiliate program — resulting in better outcomes for your brand. 

2. Repurpose high-performing creator content in paid ads.

One of the biggest benefits of influencer marketing is the goldmine of branded content that creators produce. Influencer-generated content (IGC) is relatable, engaging, and high-performing. In fact, 63% of marketers say influencer-generated content performs better than other brand-directed content.

To fully capitalize on these effective assets, keep track of how your creators’ content perform at the organic level and repurpose the most successful pieces into paid ads. By leveraging IGC in this way, you can provide the ultimate social proof and make your ads feel more genuine, increasing the likelihood of converting viewers into customers. 

Platforms like Meta and TikTok have native ad formats that can be significantly enhanced with IGC. In fact, these platforms offer several ad formats built specifically for boosting creator content — from Meta Partnership Ads to TikTok Spark Ads. These formats, fueled by authentic creator content, often drive better yield on your ad dollars. 

In fact, Meta Partnership Ads, when used alongside business-as-usual (BAU) ads, achieve 53% higher click through rates, 19% lower cost per actions, and 99% probability to outperform business-as-usual ads. Meanwhile, TikTok Spark Ads achieve 69% higher conversion rate, 37% lower CPA, and 142% greater engagement than non-Spark Ads. 

By repurposing IGC in paid ads, you can:

For more information on supercharging ROAS with influencer content, check out our complete guide, The Secret to High-Performing Ads. 

3. Build long-term partnerships for greater authenticity. 

While influencer marketing can certainly support one-off campaigns or short-term PR stunts, it’s always more advantageous to establish long-term partnerships with creators. Working with influencers over extended periods fosters greater authenticity in their content and allows for more natural brand advocacy. When creators genuinely believe in a product and promote it consistently over time, their followers are more likely to trust their recommendations, which can significantly boost your sales. Remember, consumers need to see a brand at least 7 times before making a purchase decision.

Plus, 47% of creators say they prefer to work with brands on a long-term basis, as compared to only 25% who prefer one-off campaigns. Long-term relationships not only provide influencers with a steady income stream, but also allow them to incorporate the brand more seamlessly into their content over time, resulting in authentic and credible endorsements. 

To maximize the value of these relationships, consider building a long-term brand ambassador program, in which you offer ongoing compensation, engage in frequent communication, and explore creative collaborations. For example, co-creating a limited-edition product line or hosting an event together can further cement your partnership and create buzz around your brand. 

Elevate your influencer marketing strategy

Influencer marketing has matured into a sophisticated revenue-driving strategy that goes beyond mere brand awareness. By implementing affiliate programs, repurposing creator content in ads, and nurturing long-term relationships, you can transform your influencer efforts into a powerhouse that accelerates your growth. 

Download our guide, The Secret to Efficient Growth, to see real-life examples from the world’s leading brands.