By Art Allen

For B2B brands, it is no longer a question of whether or not influencer marketing works. In fact, a vast majority of respondents to our 2023 Influencer Marketing Report report that they have seen extensive benefits in the form of increased sales revenue and improved customer brand reputation.

But one thing that came through clearly in this research is that the most successful influencer marketers are not attempting to go it alone.

Our respondents also told us that, among the brands that had the most success with their B2B influencer marketing campaigns, 70% outsourced their entire program to a B2B influencer marketing agency. Eighty-three percent outsourced at least some activities.

Want to learn more about what these marketers know? Let’s explore some of the advantages and efficiencies that B2B companies realize by outsourcing at least some of their influencer marketing program.

What happens when companies outsource B2B influencer marketing?

Greater influencer access and identification insights

B2B influencer marketing agencies have spent considerable time developing extensive networks of influence partners. These connections are not mere professional acquaintances, they are long-established relationships that are rooted in previous influencer marketing collaborations. When you partner with a B2B influencer marketing agency, you gain immediate access to this diverse network of influencers without having to forge any of the relationships from scratch.

To complement this access to a diverse network of influencers, B2B influencer agencies are skilled at identifying and recruiting new influencers who perfectly align with your brand identity, campaign goals and target audience. This is key because, according to the Influencer Marketing Report, identifying and engaging with ideal influencers is the number one challenge faced by respondents.

This dual track approach of accessing a well-developed network of partners along with identifying new influencers allows for greater flexibility and adaptability. When you’re presented with the exact right mix of influencers, you can tailor your campaigns to specific market segments or niche audiences.

Relationship-building and nurturing expertise

Once a slate of influencers has been identified, the work of rolling out your influencer marketing program has just begun. Experienced B2B influencer agencies will have a proven track record of working with B2B influencers and will be able to nurture each influencer relationship to deliver the best possible results for your campaign.

Nurturing influencers can be time-consuming. Handing this off to an agency makes the process more efficient, freeing you to focus on more strategic tasks. Agencies are also better equipped to scale their services to accommodate larger campaigns and more complex influencer networks.

But building and nurturing relationships with influencers requires more than time. It takes a specific skill set, and agencies that specialize in influencer relationship management understand the nuances of developing trust and fostering these long-term partnerships. A reputable influencer marketing agency will have the expertise to navigate the complexities of influencer relationship management, ensuring smooth and mutually beneficial partnership.