Virtual Influencers: A Beginner’s Guide to Leveraging AI-Generated Influencers for Marketing Success
Virtual influencers have been rapidly gaining traction in the world of social media recently, and this process has been accelerated even more through the rise of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and DALL-E. For marketers and brands, the rise of AI influencers presents a new and unique opportunity to reach their target audiences through a more accessible, effective, and manageable channel.
What is a Virtual Influencer?
By definition, virtual influencers are digital characters. Often called CGI influencers, digital influencers, or AI influencers, these are computer-generated personas with realistic characteristics designed to interact with people through social media platforms. They are typically managed by a team of designers, writers, and strategists.
The main reason why virtual influencers have seen a drastic rise in popularity recently is their effectiveness. Creating and managing virtual influencers comes with quite a few benefits for brands and creators. For starters, virtual influencers offer a cost-effective way for brands, especially smaller ones, to reap the benefits of influencer marketing. They also provide exclusive control over image and messaging, allowing brands to ensure the reliability and consistency of their marketing efforts.
Examples of Top Virtual and AI Influencers
Virtual and AI influencers have been around for a while, and many of them have already gained an impressive audience of dedicated followers. Some of the top virtual Instagram influencers include Lil Miquela, Imma, and QaiQai. These influencers have established a strong presence and have collaborated extensively with brands in various industries.
How to Leverage Virtual Influencers in Your Marketing
Currently, the use of virtual influencers in marketing is a vast uncharted realm waiting to be leveraged and explored. If you’re seeking to leverage virtual influencers for your business and marketing needs, there are a few strategies you can consider. Identify your target audience and establish clear goals and expectations from your collaboration with the influencer. This will help ensure that the collaboration is as efficient as possible.
How Will Virtual Reality Impact Influencer Marketing?
Virtual influencers still have a long way to go to become as popular as their real counterparts, but the results of their work are already noticeable. A 2022 virtual influencers survey conducted by the Influencer Marketing Factory found that 58% of respondents followed at least one virtual influencer and 35% of respondents had purchased a product promoted by a virtual influencer. Virtual reality, including AI influencers, is set to change influencer marketing significantly and allows for deeper engagement and emotional connection with the audience.
What Does the Rise of AI Influencers Mean for the Future?
The rise of virtual influencers, fueled by generative AI tools, is revolutionizing social media marketing. This presents brands with a unique opportunity to engage their target audience through a more accessible and effective channel. Whether brands should work with virtual influencers depends on their marketing approach and set of objectives, but there is no denying that the popularity of this AI-based tool is rising.
About the Author
Ana Hoffman is a digital marketing specialist at ViralMango, dedicated to crafting captivating campaigns that deliver value to businesses and users. With an innovative approach, Ana excels at uncovering untapped channels for exponential company growth.
In conclusion, virtual influencers represent a new and unique opportunity for brands to engage their target audience through a more accessible, effective, and manageable channel. The rise of generative AI tools is revolutionizing social media marketing and presents brands with a unique opportunity to leverage the power of virtual influencers.
