Have you ever noticed that a lot of the time, when an influencer is posting a product promo, they’re usually posing in some sort of lust-worthy hotel or on a tropical beach? Sometimes, this is just a coincidence. Other times, it’s because they’re on an influencer trip.
Imagine this: you’re strolling the beach, heading out to fancy dinners, sipping on curated cocktails, and getting your picture snapped by a professional photographer at all times. The best part? You don’t have to break the bank for any of it. In fact, you don’t have to spend a dime of your own cash. This is the reality of the coveted “influencer trip” invite. And, not only is it a dream for influencers, but it’s a pretty ingenious marketing strategy for brands.
Heading
Influencer trips are great for brands. When a brand invites a group of influencers on a trip, it’s almost always to an expensive location. Usually, these places are vacation destinations that are pretty much out of reach to the general population. However, the influencers are tasked with promoting the brand’s products. They’re not just promoting the product itself, though, they’re selling an idea, a lifestyle. Social media users will scroll through their feeds and come across a professionally-photographed influencer standing on a beach in a Cancun resort, promoting a skincare product or makeup item. And, subconsciously, they’ll associate that product with the lifestyle that the influencer is supposedly leading. Additionally, sending influencers on an all-expenses-paid blowout trip usually makes said influencers pretty loyal to the brand, assuming the trip runs smoothly. Overall, influencer trips are the perfect marketing strategy for a brand that’s in the position to afford one.
And what do the influencers get in return? Well, it’s pretty obvious. It’s an all-inclusive trip to a stunning location. Yes, influencers on brand trips are technically working, but I find it hard to imagine that working while tanning and drinking and lazing out on the beach is that bad. These trips can also serve as a really fun social experience, where influencers get to meet other representatives of the brand they’re working for.
Heading
So, you’re already dreaming of getting invited to Cancun, huh? I get it. An influencer trip invite is definitely a goal for many social media personalities. And it’s likely not an impossible dream to achieve. If you want to get invited on an influencer trip, first you obviously have to grow your online brand to a relatively respective status. But, you also have to grow your brand in a way that appeals to the very type of brands who invite influencers on these trips in the first place. Your Instagram, for example, should embody the antithesis of what a brand trip is. Your photos, even if they aren’t promoting a product, still have to sell and promote a certain coveted, out-of-reach lifestyle. And, isn’t creating a saturated, picture-perfect version of life what Instagram is all about anyway?
Featured image credit: Ishan @seefromthesky
