All About Key Opinion Leaders

Word of mouth marketing can be one of the most powerful ways to promote your business. Getting customers to share their positive experiences, or teaming up with influencers can help you reach a wider audience and build trust. There is a special type of influencers that often get overlooked- Key Opinion Leader (KOL’s). Teaming up with a KOL can be very beneficial to your brand.

What Is a Key Opinion Leader?

KOL’s are influencers who target a specific audience, and have a large following of people who trust their opinion, agree with their values and take their advice. Often, their followers are willing to spend money on products that they like, due to their trust in the KOL. You can find a KOL in just about any industry- from beauty to pets to industry professionals. The main difference between KOL’s and traditional influencers is that KOL’s tend to have a more niche audience, and are considered experts within that niche.

Why Work With A Key Opinion Leader:

One of the most beneficial parts of working with a KOL is reaching a wider audience. KOL’s already have a following that trusts what they have to say, so if they endorse you, their audience is more than likely going to trust you as well. Another perk of KOL’s audiences is that they are likely to interact with their content. This means more shares, likes, and comments on their video regarding your products, which means it is more likely to show up for other users outside of their niche.

Another reason to consider partnering with a KOL is to increase your credibility. Key Opinion Leaders are called leaders for a reason- they are considered dependable experts in their niche that will not lead their audience astray. Endorsement from one of these experts can do wonders in increasing your sales and position as an industry leader.

Working with KOL’s can help you expand past your typical social platforms. Not all KOL’s have a large social media presence, although many do. Since KOL’s are leaders in their daily lives, not just as a social media influencer, they are more likely to appear on television, podcasts, and research studies than traditional influencers.

How To Find A Key Opinion Leader:

Make sure that you come in with solid goals of what you want to accomplish with your KOL, and let them know before deciding to form a partnership. Not every KOL is going to be a good fit for your business, no matter how much you might admire them. Discussing what you hope to accomplish will save you both some headaches, and make sure that you are on the same page.

Find a KOL that you trust and value. If you are seeking to partner with a KOL simply for exposure, then you are better off finding other ways to promote your business. A collaboration with a KOL only works if you have mutual respect for one another, and value each other’s opinions. Listen to any advice they give you, and treat them with respect. Nobody likes to feel used, so take their expert advice!

Working with KOL’s can benefit you greatly. If you choose to partner with one, make sure to do your research before you reach out to them and be willing to put in the effort to make your relationship great! What Key Opinion Leaders do you admire?