No matter how small your business is, even YOU can get an influencer or big name in your industry to endorse your brand.

It may seem far-fetched, but people do it every day.

All it costs the influencer is a short blurb and it can mean the world for you, boosting your social proof power into the stratosphere.

Read on to discover how you can get influencer endorsements which boost your credibility and turbocharge your sales.

How Influencer Endorsements Work

Social proof is one of the simplest yet most effective marketing strategies available.

The way it works is incredibly simple.

Your potential customers see an expert, influencer, or other big name in your industry talking about you and your products.

Through their endorsement, your prospects realise you have something highly valuable to offer.

It also shows that you’re a legitimate company and sets you apart from your competition.

This influence is the proof they need to kicks the potential customer off the fence and urges them to buy.

Who’s Going to Promote Your Brand?

So, how do you choose a big name to reach out to?

Step into the shoes of your audience.

What kind of person’s word would mean something to them?

It could be someone your audience already knows or a qualified expert in your field.

This person doesn’t have to be world-famous.

They only need to be someone of influence in the audience you are seeking to attract.

For example, if you are selling water-skiing lessons, try to find a retired water-ski champion.

If you are offering your services as a commercial artist, ask a gallery owner who will endorse your skills.

The key is not just the person’s name recognition but that they’re relevant to your audience and your offerings.

For example, you could also get an endorsement from a blogger or journalist in your industry.

Your website visitors may not know the blogger, but they can click on the link you provide and see that they run a popular blog, or write for a relevant magazine with a large audience.

How to Get Influencer Endorsements

Start by brainstorming people to reach out to.

Look at all your contacts in your network.

It’s much easier to get an endorsement from someone you already know than reaching out cold to a stranger.

Once you’ve looked at your network, research popular content creators and social media influencers.

Look in particular at other people your audience follows.

Create a shortlist and start reaching out to the people on it.

Next, write an elevator pitch that explains briefly what you do, how you’re unique, and how you deliver value.

It helps a great deal to offer your influencer some type of incentive.

For example, offer to do some work for them or promote their product to your audience.

This will make it a win-win.

In addition to the endorsement you’re trying to get right now, think also about building a relationship with this person.

Even if they say no now, you can keep in touch with them and maybe in the future you may be able to help each other.

If they give you an endorsement, thank them and keep them in mind for special offers or other ways you can repay the favour.

Any Business Can Get Powerful Endorsements

When reaching out to influencers for endorsements, don’t stop yourself thinking the person is too big and beyond your reach.

While they’re most likely to say “no,” they could also surprise you with a “yes” and give you a great piece of social proof.