Visualise this: gladiators in Ancient Rome, assertively strong and fierce, not only braving battles in the Colosseum but also endorsing products to the public. Yes, you read that right – even wayyyyyy back then, they acknowledged the influence of a trusted figure’s recommendation – essentially the ancient equivalent of a brand deal. As time marched on, brands persistently recognised the powerful potential of word-of-mouth marketing, teaming up with celebrities and religious figures across the land in deals to sell their wares.
Now let’s fast forward to the present: In the modern age of the internet, influencer marketing took centre stage – and for a while, it was livin’ la vida loca, but audience trust began to waver (understandably so) with a bunch of influencers lacking authenticity. That’s when our modern brand heroes arrived at the scene: brand ambassadors! More than your everyday influencers, brand ambassadors are essentially your passionate customers and fans who genuinely adore your brand and WANT to share it. They collaborate with you to create content to share their enthusiasm with their followers, bringing authenticity back into the spotlight.
Authentic Connections with Ambassadors
We’ve all had that one friend who just CAN’T stop gushing about a product they love at some point – and that’s EXACTLY what brand advocacy is, in a nutshell. Can you imagine if that friend were to join forces with the brand to create content and even receive rewards for their efforts? Voilà! Your friend is now a brand ambassador.
Unlike conventional influencers, ambassadors have deep, genuine connections with their followers. They only promote products that they genuinely love and value, gaining the confidence and trust of consumers in the process. This authentic connection makes ambassador content much more advantageously valuable than any old traditional brand ad could ever be.
ROI and Relationship Building
Brand ambassador programs can also aid in significantly amplifying your return on investment (ROI). The authentic advocacy and trust behind ambassador content work wonders for brand awareness and sales.
As ambassadors share their content, relationships between your brand and customers strengthen. As the brand, you can assign creative marketing tasks, reward their efforts, and proudly showcase their content, creating a close-knit ambassador community.
Spoiled for Choice
Now, let’s plunge into your prospects for types of ambassador deals. With an open program, anyone can apply to be an ambassador for your brand, while a closed program is by invitation only, creating an enchanting sense of exclusivity. Another option you can consider is student and employee programs to target more specific audiences.
Online and Offline Campaigns Galore
Oh, the wonders of online campaigns. For eCommerce brands, social media posts, giveaways, collaborations, and more can amplify your brand’s reach and drive engagement in ways you can’t even imagine.
But that doesn’t mean you can forget the power of offline campaigns – not for a single second. In-person events initiate buzz and excitement that spill over into the online world, capturing the best of both worlds – a true force to be reckoned with in the marketing world.
So, there you have it, folks – the charming journey of brand ambassador marketing from ancient times to the digital era – a rousing opportunity for brands to completely harness the power of authentic content and genuine connections in their quest to conquer the market and truly thrive.
