Kingfluencers at OMR 2024

We were back again this year at the OMR in Hamburg! This time with much more insights, stories, great panels, speakers, and most importantly – a lot of fun and inspiring takeaways. Let’s take you through the 2 days of great and interesting networking and learning.

This year the OMR has had over 70k visitors, 4 expo halls with 500+ exhibitors (including Kingfluencers), 7 stages with 800+ speakers, 240 masterclasses, 100 guided tours, and afterparties. Once again, the OMR stood out for its extravagant speakers like Kim Kardashian, Rick Rubin, Sabrina Ellis, and many more.

In case you missed our exclusive newsletter or didn’t follow us along on LinkedIn and Instagram, here’s a short recap with our highlights and learnings.

On-Site Consulting, Exciting Booth Activations, and Fabulous Giveaways

Let’s start with our Kingfluencers booth: we were able to upgrade to a bigger space to offer you more entertainment, more fun, and most importantly: more Kingfluencers, located at Hall A3, Stand C09. Not only were you able to talk to our consultants, but you could also snatch a quick snack from our popcorn machine, get some cool gadgets like a phone ring light, or participate in our OMR quiz to upgrade your next trip.

Oh, and not sure if you saw, but Kim K visited us at our booth 😉

Did you miss this year’s OMR and didn’t have a chance to talk to us or want to continue the conversation?

No worries, you can always contact us or leave us a message.

Unlocking Expertise: Key Takeaways from Kingfluencers’ Masterclass Sessions

1. Decoding social communities

The focus of this masterclass was how brands need to understand communities, communicate with them as equals, and give them a platform to generate sustainable brand love and brand loyalty. So, how do you decode social communities?

Content is the heart of TikTok

Importance of Content: Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri emphasizes that views and likes are more important than follower numbers. TikTok prioritizes relevant content, leading to the formation of communities around specific interests, such as BookTok, FashionTok, and FoodTok.

Characteristics of Social Communities

  • Themes: Wide variety of topics with sub-themes (e.g., 5AmClub with Morning Person with ADHD, Women in Business).
  • Language: Unique terms and codes to bypass algorithms (e.g., “#Seggs” instead of “sex”).
  • Aesthetics: Visual and cultural expressions enhance the sense of community.

Brand Strategy: Brands should speak the language of these communities and provide a platform for them to foster sustainable brand loyalty.

Be in the right space for the right reason

“The rise of a new marketing zeitgeist has shifted the paradigm for marketers. Although many might not be fully aware! We all know digital is key for example. But merely existing in the digital sphere or focusing on general metrics such as having the biggest share of voice is not a basis for competitive advantage and doesn’t lead to success anymore perse; instead, it’s all about getting the right message out in credible ways to the right people, being truly seen, heard, understood and appreciated, or even loved, by forging meaningful connections with one’s focus consumers and communities.” – Yoeri Callebaut, CEO at Kingfluencers

Tools for Decoding Social Communities:

  • AI-Based Content Screening: Analyzes shared content.
  • AI-Based Community-Feedback Screening: Examines comments.
  • Search Screening: Analyzes TikTok search queries.

Benefits: These approaches help brands better connect with social communities, develop targeted campaigns, and identify specific audiences for paid media strategies.

2. The Tiktok Creator Game

Redefining Engagement: TikTok’s Masterclass in Community Strategy

TikTok’s latest masterclass has changed the game for digital engagement. The big lesson? Brands should be “always in,” not just “always on.” Here’s how this approach can transform your brand strategy:

  • Community-Centric Engagement:
    Move beyond a constant presence to active participation within your target communities. Genuine interactions build deeper connections with your audience.
  • The Spillover Effect:
    Influencers and creators transfer their authentic connections to your brand, boosting visibility and credibility.
  • “Stay & Play” Strategy:
    Identify your core community (“stay”) but also explore new, unexpected spaces (“play”). For example, a fashion brand can thrive in Hashtag#FashionTok and make a splash in Hashtag#FoodTok, reaching new audiences with surprising content.
  • Authentic Connections
    Combine maintaining your core identity with exploring new avenues to create dynamic, authentic engagement.
  • Amplify Real-Life Engagement
    Be genuinely involved in community activities to create a more immersive and impactful brand presence.

Culture First, Community Second, Commercial Follows

“Brands must actively engage with and contribute to culture. Consider FC St. Pauli von 1910 e.V.’s commitment to social justice, community engagement, and alternative culture; or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that evolved from a sport to a culture brand by putting their community first. In today’s world, brands must establish a world around their brand and create a space where their community wants to belong. By doing so, commercial success will naturally follow.” – Dominique Hufschmid, Director of Strategy, Marketing & Innovation at Kingfluencers

3. TikTok Retail Revolution

In this masterclass, they showed measurement metrics and methods presented by TikTok Germany. It was also shown how to measure the impact of TikTok campaigns on retail/offline/in-store shopping and they displayed a Unilever case study. The main key takeaways are:

  • TikTok offers 3 methods for customers to include offline data: (1) offline API (2) manual upload (3) third-party solutions
  • TikTok facilitates the same consumer needs as a shopping experience: convenience, comfort, confidence
  • TikTok partners closely with brands and develops technology to track consumer behavior in detail
  • TikTok wants to prove its relevance and power in the offline world
  • Effective measurement principles by TikTok that allow clients to measure consumer journey from TikTok interaction to full conversion (including offline events such as in-store visits)
  • The TikTok experience satisfies the same needs that consumers have in store: convenience, connection, confidence

4. Reddit

This Reddit Masterclass taught us how to use contextual information to make the brand stand out and even sell products and services. Additionally, it also talked about how to involve the brand in the communities and be part of the talk and how to generate brand connection. The key takeaway points are the following:

  • 90% of consumers don’t trust influencers according to Reddit -> Reddit serves as an additional channel to verify based on user feedback and thereby is basically a UGC platform
  • Cookies are phasing out -> there is a need for a new way to target audience
  • Brands can have profiles/pages and a significant presence on Reddit
  • Privacy statements and rules are more and more stringent so also here it becomes more and more difficult to target people
  • Reddit remains rather anonymous 
  • +100k communities in various niches
  • Available in German as the first non-English language -> Germany (and DACH) is a big region for Reddit’s increasing impact

Influencer does not equal Influence

“True influence goes beyond superficial metrics and requires depth, authenticity, and meaningful engagement. Building influence requires creating genuine connections, fostering trust, and adding value to people’s lives. It’s about sharing authentic stories, championing causes, and inspiring others to take action. In today’s digital landscape, real influence is measured increasingly by the positive impact you make and the values you represent as a person.” – Dominique Hufschmid, Director of Strategy, Marketing & Innovation at Kingfluencers

Inspiring Voices: OMR Speakers Who Captivated the Kingfluencers Team

Kim Kardashian
Media Personality, Entrepreneur & Actress

About the difference between public perception and self-identification and her most important lessons:

  • Kim doesn’t view herself as an entrepreneur. Her answers reflect a confident mother making smart business decisions, but she prioritizes her public figure persona over a business identity. 
  • Kim gained fame through TV (and a tape, but TV made her a household name). This seems very early 2000s, but it remains a solid pathway to fame.
  • Be quick to adopt trends (her mobile game “Hollywood” & early VR adoption). Yet, she expressed caution and ambivalence about AI, which is surprising given Kris Jenner’s reputation for strategic planning.
  • The way she deals with negative comments is: “Post and Ghost” – to protect her mental health Kim posts and leaves the Instagram app.
Larisa Topalo

“Before Kim came on stage MC asked the audience how many are her fans. Out of 8,000 people, only about 70 raised their hand. And yet, she packed 3 stages at OMR (main stage & two livestreams). This feels like a great analogy for influencers in general – very few people publicly or in casual conversation, will admit to liking influencers, and yet as a society we are fascinated, curious, and following them by the millions.” – Larisa Topalo, Chief Influencer, Brand Strategy & Creative Officer at Kingfluencers

Scott Galloway
Professor of Marketing, NYU Stern & Bestselling Author

His top predictions for 2024

  • GLP-1s, a class of medication used for diabetes and obesity. Scott names The hype of wellness, health, and fitness and the demographic development trend towards more obesity as the main reasons why.
  • Meta’s next growth vehicle: To use WhatsApp as a Social Media tool. People read all the messages in WhatsApp, which makes it a great tool to connect with consumers.
  • The biggest impact of AI? Loneliness! Disproportionately concerning the male population which also explains the rise of AI Girlfriend.
  • Scott ended his Keynote encouraging attendees to connect with their close friends and to ask them “How are you doing?” and then ask them again “No, honestly, how are you?”

Alisa Jahnke
Co-Founderin PURELEI

Key strategies that helped PURELEI grow through the Covid crisis

  • Profit goals instead of revenue goals
  • A 1% price increase made the most impact, followed by 1% COG reductions. While a 1% volume increase and 1% overhead reduction didn’t have a huge effect.
  • Higher barriers of entrance resulted in 40% less order but 70% more profit for Purelei. Focus on the high-end customers instead of hoping low-end clients might eventually have a high CLV.
  • Have fewer options. Focus on your heroes, and build new products based on what you know already works, for example, variations and extensions of your hero products.

Philipp Westermeyer
Founder OMR 

Roland Eisenbrand

Editor-in-Chief OMR Daily & Head of Content OMR Festival

The 4 Cs of AI

  • Content: How to utilize AI generated Content wie Content KI-basiert erstellt und genutzt werden kann
  • Cost Efficiency: Bundling Customer Feedback for Advertisement quickly and get real added value 
  • Concern: The technology does come with security risks such as digital robber barons stealing data from competitors
  • Customer: AI can influence purchasing decisions

Winners & Losers

  • Loser: Second-Tier Companies in the Tech Sector
  • Loser: Trust, as more misinformation and fake content is spread
  • Winner: Book Clubs spread like wildfire thanks to formats like #BookTok
  • Winner: Recognition through Signature moves
  • Winner: India is experiencing exponential growth 

#OMR24 was a blast!

Exciting talks, inspiring speakers, masterclasses, and a lot of lasting impressions.

And WOW, what a cool team we have at Kingfluencers! A huge thanks goes out to our team for making this event an unforgettable experience off and behind the scenes. The team spirit and cooperation once again showed what we can achieve together.

Any feedback, questions, or comments, or wanna chat over coffee?

How to Become An Influencer in 2024 [Success Roadmap]


Influencer marketing is an important marketing strategy that continues to grow. It is no longer limited to a select few businesses or agencies, but has become a marketing channel accessible to all brands.

As of 2021, the global influencer marketing market value had more than doubled since 2019, standing at around 13.8 billion U.S. dollars.

More brands recognize the power of influencer marketing and seek out influencers who can help them generate meaningful connections with their target audience. 

That means more opportunities for influencers – for you – to make money!

If you’re looking to become an influencer, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll go over the steps of becoming an influencer one by one. Keep reading to begin your journey to becoming an influencer.

Table of Contents

  • Is becoming a social media influencer the right choice for you?
  • Ask these questions before you decide to become an influencer
  • How to get started as an influencer
  • How to brand yourself as an influencer
  • How to establish authority as an influencer
  • How to work as an influencer
  • How to grow and remain popular after you’ve become an influencer
  • How to get paid as an influencer
  • Conclusion

Is becoming a social media influencer the right choice for you?

Becoming a social media influencer sounds like a great career choice – let’s find out if it’s really the right one for you.

Are you excited about making a difference?

If you become an influencer, you have an opportunity to leave your imprint on the world. You decide which causes to support, be it sustainable brands or charitable businesses. You can use your influence to spread your positive values to the world.

Would you love to have a community of people who rally around you?

If you have no problem standing in the spotlight and taking responsibility for your loyal followers, becoming a professional influencer could be perfect for you. 

Would you like the financial freedom of working for yourself? 

To not be tied down by rigid work hours or office dress codes, or having to stay in one place all the time?

Becoming an influencer can allow you to turn something you are passionate about into a career, basically getting paid to make content about something you enjoy.

Sounds like a good plan! That’s the promise that becoming an influencer holds. 

But…

Ask these questions before you decide to become an influencer

Of course, all these benefits do not simply appear because you’ve decided that you’re going to do this. 

Understand that if you become an influencer, you are turning yourself into a business. If you are serious about earning the benefits, you have to be serious about the work, too!

So, before you start, please ask yourself the following questions:

Are you willing to do what it takes?

As an influencer, you’re going to have to do a lot of tasks: 

  • Creating your strategy
  • Dressing up 
  • Filming your content 
  • Editing 
  • Writing captions 
  • Scheduling your content
  • Publishing 
  • Engaging with your audience
  • Promoting and managing your brand
  • Networking and reaching out

and much more. All this will take you a lot of time! 

Food Influencer

Are you willing to make that investment?

Will you have the patience that’s required to grow your brand?

Again, it will take time to grow your followers and build up an empire – your piece of the web – as an influencer. That’s where you’ll need the patience to keep executing your strategy and keep publishing, even when your audience is not yet as big as you want it to be.

Do you have the passion and motivation to keep serving your audience?

If you want to be an influencer who is successful long-term, you need to find a way to stay motivated – you owe it to your followers. 

You can do this if you have passion for the topic you’re making content about and you genuinely want to help and entertain the audience. 

Ask yourself: Is that you?

What will it take for you to make enough money to be able to make this a full time gig, or at least a solid side hustle?

Be realistic and set a sensible goal – and you won’t be caught off-guard later when the numbers don’t match what you were hoping for right away.

The influencers we’re working with are making on average at least CHF 200 per sponsored post. 

(This is if you have several thousand engaged followers who love you, and you manage to connect with brands who feel that your content is a good fit.)

Now you can do the math and see how much work it would take to make the income that you’re aiming for. Of course, as you grow your reach and your authority, you will be able to command higher rates.

What type of influencer do you want to be? Nano, Micro, Macro, or Mega?

In influencer marketing, bigger isn’t always better. 

Brands are starting to see the value of smaller influencers – they have higher engagement and the trust of their followers. 

This means that even as a smaller influencer, you will be able to get brand deals that make you good money.

“The findings of four experimental studies show that micro-influencers (those who have 10,000 to 100,000 followers) are more persuasive than mega-influencers (those who have more than 1 million followers) because endorsements by micro-influencers (versus mega-influencers) bestow higher perceptions of authenticity on the endorsed brand, which ‘rubs off’ from the perceptions regarding influencer authenticity.” https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00913367.2021.1980470

The different sizes of influencer you could become are:

Nano-influencer:
Under 5k followers. 
This is where you will probably start out. 
Examples: Debora Sarai in the DIY and home niche. Alenis Lima in the beauty/fashion and lifestyle niche.

Micro-influencer:
5k-100k followers. 
Examples: Adela Smajic in the Beauty/fashion, lifestyle and travel niche. Alayah Pilgrim in the sports, health and fitness niche. Carlo Janka in the sports, outdoors and family niche. 

Macro-influencer:
100k-1m followers. 
As your following grows, more opportunities will come in, but it will also take more time and effort to manage your brand. 
Examples: Kevin Lütolf in the fashion and technology niche. Zoë Pastelle in the fashion and entertainment niche. Zeki aka Zekisworld in the comedy and automotive niche.

Mega-influencer:
Over 1 million followers. 

These are typically actors, musicians, and other A-list celebrities. 

Your content might never get you into this category (and maybe you don’t even want that), but if you do, hey, good luck! Also, you might make up to $1 million per sponsored post

Examples: Daniela Pintto in the lifestyle and mumlife niche. Marco aka swiss.beautiful_ in the landscape, outdoors, travel niche. Alisha Lehmann in the sports and travel niche.

Have you answered these questions to clarify what lies ahead on your path to becoming an influencer on social media? 

Then you’re ready to get started!

We’ve created this roadmap to help you on your way, and to get you to the point where you can call this your job! Maybe you’ll even end up working with us in the future. Let’s dive into your journey.

How to get started as an influencer

Travel Influencer

Find your niche

We recommend that when you start your career on social media, you pick a niche. It makes sense to narrow down quite a bit. 

What does that mean? 

Especially in the beginning, you want to be known for your work in a specific space. That way, your audience will associate you with this space as you post more about it.

People are more likely to follow you if they know what to expect from your content. 

Focus and fine-tune your niche, and it will be much easier to grow your followers and be seen as an expert in that niche.

Now, what niche should you pick?

Passion & Knowledge

If you have an existing passion – maybe even a good level of experience and skill – you could pick that to give yourself a head start and be more motivated to create content around that niche.

Popularity and Monetizability

From a business standpoint, it makes sense to find a niche that is trending or at least growing steadily and in which brands are willing to spend money to advertise. 

We have compiled ten of the most popular and profitable social media niches for you below:

  • 1. Technology
  • 2. Fashion
  • 3. Health & Fitness
  • 4. Food & Cooking
  • 5. Business & Making Money
  • 6. Lifestyle
  • 7. Beauty
  • 8. Parenting
  • 9. Pets
  • 10. Travel

Find the one that aligns with your interests and knowledge, is popular and monetizable, and has an audience that you could engage with long term.

Choose the right platform to start

Which platform should you become an influencer on? 

We recommend you start on just one platform – preferably the one where your audience spends the most time – so that you can focus and grow your following most effectively. 

Of course, you can expand your business later and join multiple other platforms!

Try to understand who your audience is first:

  • Which age group are you targeting with your influencing campaign?
  • What’s their average income level?
  • What’s their gender, percentage-wise?
  • What’s their family situation?
  • What are their hobbies and interests?
  • Which circles and communities are they in?

The answers to these will guide you towards the platform you could start out on. As an example, if you’re in the knitting niche, you could start posting on Pinterest. If you’re a gamer, start a Twitch account. Model trains, Facebook. Etc. This information changes over time, and there are many factors to consider in selecting the right platform. 

Following is a quick snapshot of which platforms make the most sense for you to be on as an influencer, depending on your niche:

Facebook:
Widest adoption among all demographics, but is trending older, and a wealthier audience. Good for niches that have a middle-aged audience.

Twitter:
Good for more intellectual niches such as writing, business, and self-improvement.

LinkedIn:
The #1 platform if you want to become an influencer in the world of business and money making.

Pinterest:
Mostly female audience. Perfect for arts & crafts, among others.

Instagram:
A very visual platform that is perfect for many niches, including fashion, travel, food, and pets. The audience is slightly younger.

TikTok:
Has the youngest audience. But the platform is now also becoming more interesting for older generations. Best if you are focused on your specific audience, and you are able to capitalize on trends. 

Social Media Platforms

Prepare your profile

After you’ve picked your niche and the platform you’re going to start out on, you’ll need to create and optimize your social media profile.

Switch to a business account

If you want to be an influencer, you should upgrade to a business account because it gives you a lot more possibilities – namely for analytics and monetization. You can create a business account in the profile settings of most networks, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Create a fantastic bio

When someone visits your profile, the first thing they see is your bio. You want to make sure you’re making a great first impression! 

Your biography should explain your narrative in a compelling way. It should also include all relevant information about you, such as your full name, address, phone number, and areas of expertise.  

Add a profile pic and banner/cover photo

You should also include a profile photo and a cover photo, as these are crucial components of your own brand identification. 

People frequently recognize a social network profile by its profile photo, so choose one carefully. Also, make sure your face is visible, and the photo is high quality.

How to brand yourself as an influencer

What is your influencer personality? You should be able to pin-point the qualities and characteristics that set you apart from others in your niche on social media. People like to follow someone who has a strong and interesting personality.

It doesn’t mean you have to invent a new personality for yourself. 

Ideally, you authentically express what’s interesting and special about you. Of course, with social media, you will want to emphasize the most compelling aspects of your personality, but you should never be fake. 

Simply go more into what already makes you special naturally.

Your personal brand

You also want to be thinking about creating your personal brand. This means you take your influencer personality and your angle on content and turn it into a recognizable brand.

How do you create your personal brand and make it stand out?

  • Convey a similar vibe with images and videos: They are created in a similar way, use the same filters etc.
  • Purposely use your own, consistent color scheme in your profile and your marketing materials.
  • Have your own way of talking and addressing your followers in your content and captions – brand tone is consistent
  • Have a special name for your followers
  • Create a logo and slogan that people recognize instantly
  • And most importantly, your personal brand is telling a story – one that is compelling and resonates with the audience.

Here’s what Antonella Patitucci, Actress, Presenter, Coach and Content Creator, had to say about how important it is that you tell stories as an influencer:

“The value is in telling your own story and putting emotion behind it. Give the product a face so people can relate. Share your unique story and opinion. A product alone is a picture, but with you and your story, it’s like a movie.”
We couldn’t agree more. So start telling a unique story, and you will start creating a strong personal brand for yourself that people will want to follow.

How to establish authority as an influencer

You’ve picked your niche, you’ve thought about your branding… now it’s time to build your expertise! 
Your goal should be to become an authority on the topic you’re making content on. 
You want your audience to look up to you, trust what you’re saying about the topic, and follow your recommendations.

How are you going to build your authority?

Study your niche

Start by researching everything that’s out there on your niche on the internet to get a good overview of what you’re going to make content about. 
Subscribe to relevant podcasts. Read any available books and print publications around the topic. 

Establish your web presence

In addition to your social media profile, consider setting up your own website as well.
This will give you another chance to advertise your personal brand and show off your portfolio. 
It’s a signal that you are a professional and will give you even more authority as an influencer.

Start networking in your industry

Go to conferences. Reach out to other influencers in your niche. Communicate, find peers and mentors, and collaborate with others. 
Not only will this make you an insider with even more knowledge about your niche, it will also increase your status

How to work when you’re an influencer

Now, how do you go about your daily work as an influencer? How do you know what to post, when to post it, and how often to post?

To keep up with creating content and to make sure that you have an awesome social media profile that keeps growing, we recommend that you first create a content strategy.

Your content strategy

First, establish a posting schedule. Decide how often you’re going to post in order to keep your followers engaged – while not burning yourself out. Keep in mind how much time creating just one social media post can take!

Then, decide on the types of content you’re going to be posting regularly. This can, and maybe should, be different types of posts on different days. Depending on the platform, you have the choice between:

  • Videos (short-form, long-form, stories)
  • Pictures
  • Audio
  • Infographics
  • Text

Finally, the content topic
What topics are you going to cover? What angle are you going to take with your content?
Note all these things down in your strategy document. Now you know exactly what to post each week.

Study your analytics

Executing on the publishing strategy you just created is a great start – but it’s not everything. 
You should also learn from each post you make. Do this by studying your analytics. With a business account, you will have access to those statistics. 

  • Each week, look at how your posts have performed. 
  • How many people saw your post? 
  • How much did they engage with it? 
  • How many likes did it get? 
  • If it was a sponsored post, did it resonate with people?
  • What could you do to make even better content next time?

How to grow and remain popular after you’ve become an influencer

Apart from your short-term strategy, be prepared to stay on top of the game in the long term.

How do you do that?

  • Nurture your community. Do this by running special campaigns, like challenges, surveys, and giveaways; fun initiatives that keep your audience on their toes and excited about hearing from you.
  • Know your audience intimately. Keep studying your followers. What are their goals? Their deepest desires? What makes them tick? Know all this… then try to satisfy those desires with your content!
  • Stay ahead of trends. If you always keep your personal brand relevant to the times, you won’t have to worry about people becoming bored with your content and unfollowing. On the contrary, you will keep them engaged with fresh stuff and your following will only keep growing!
  • Always engage & be present. You should treat your followers like your tribe, maybe even like a second family. This means you’ll always be there to reply to their comments, answer their questions and offer support.

“It’s easy to get blinded by vanity metrics such as big numbers of views and followers. It’s not about the number of followers you have. What matters is the quality of the connection you make with your audience.” – Marvin Sangines, Personal Branding Advisor at Kingfluencers

How to get paid as an influencer

We saved the most exciting part for last: 

How you’re going to get paid and hopefully at some point make a full-time income as a social media influencer! 

In most cases, this will mean that you’re going to be working with brands and promoting their products in your content.

How are you going to find those brands? 

The first option is to make a list of brands you would like to work with. Then research their marketing department and email them about working together.

The other option is to apply to an influencer marketing agency, who usually has a large network of brands they work with. They’ll take on the work of contacting the brands that are the right fit for you. This should be at no cost to you, because the agency will get paid by them and not you. It’s a good option if you want to spare yourself the extra stress of having to find and pitch brands, on top of all the other tasks you have to do as an influencer.

How much will you make? 

Anywhere between CHF 200 and CHF 10’000 per post. Obviously, expect to start on the low end of that scale if you just started your influencer career.

How many followers do you need to start getting paid? 

This differs, depending on your niche and other factors. We usually advise you to build your brand to at least 2500 followers and then apply for your first brand deals.

Let’s do it!

Is being an influencer worth it? 
We say absolutely yes – now that you know what goes into becoming one and how to do it, you can decide if it’s for you.
Keep in mind that getting results is a process that takes time and effort. As a result, you shouldn’t expect to become a social media influencer overnight.
However, if you continue to follow these guidelines, you will be able to become an influencer and earn money doing it. 

We wish you good luck on that journey!

To keep up to date on the newest influencer marketing information and trends, sign up for the Kingfluencers newsletter or reach out to us anytime.If you’re already over 2500 followers and think you have what it takes, you can apply with us as an influencer here!

Author: Megan Bozman, Owner @Boz Content Marketing

Boosting Conversions: Performance Marketing with Influencer Content

In the dynamic world of modern marketing, the symbiosis of influencer content and performance marketing emerges as a powerful force. This approach entails a multifaceted strategy that melds the strengths of influencers, data-driven insights, and optimized ads. At its core, this methodology revolves around seamlessly integrating influencer content into performance campaigns, guiding potential customers towards online shops with finesse. Features like Instagram Shopping and Facebook Shop enhance the customer journey, optimizing the conversion process. This article explores the intricacies of this strategy, unraveling how it drives engagement and sales.

The Evolution of Performance Marketing with Influencer Content

Performance Marketing with Influencer Content, though not novel, has gained substantial traction in recent times. This method empowers advertisers to refine their marketing tactics, fostering user acquisition, brand recognition, and efficient return on ad expenditure. At its essence, creator-based performance marketing transforms authentic content generated by influencers and content creators into the driving force of performance campaigns. The resultant conversion-optimized ads propel sales in the domains of e-commerce and social commerce.

Harnessing Influencers and content creators in the Digital Era

In the contemporary digital landscape, social media has emerged as a dominant player in marketing. The convergence of influencer marketing with performance campaigns amplifies the efficacy of advertising strategies. Influencers and content creators wield the trust of their followers, endorsing products with research-backed integrity rather than contractual obligations. In contrast to celebrity endorsements, influencer marketing’s appeal lies in its laser focus on niche communities, facilitating profound engagement.

Crafting an Effective Creator-Based Performance Marketing Strategy

Within this realm, crafting an effective creator-based performance marketing strategy entails a multifaceted orchestration. The interplay of compelling content, astute audience targeting, and finely tuned ads constitutes the symphony of success. By assimilating influencers’ and content creators’ authentic perspectives, brands synthesize a resonant narrative that propels users towards online shops. This integration serves to humanize the marketing process, fueling engagement and driving conversions.

Empowering Campaigns with Influencer Creatives

In today’s digital tapestry, influencers and content creators have ascended to the role of modern storytellers. Their content possesses the rare ability to captivate and convert. Integrating influencer-generated content into performance campaigns taps into an authentic wellspring of relatability and trust. This integration imbues advertisements with an undeniable authenticity, fostering a seamless transition from interest to purchase. By embedding influencer and content creator insights into the journey, the trajectory from browsing to transaction becomes intuitive, catalyzed by the persuasive power of genuine endorsement.

Moreover, influencer content can be marketed on a much more authentic level. Which leads to the usage of diverse, creative and target group-oriented assets, instead of having to rely on or resort to monotonous, less authentic stock images. Customers are thus addressed on an emotional level, while at the same time a recognition value occurs, which increases the purchase potential immensely. This also leads to cost efficiency on the brand side, as the influencer and content creator campaigns created can simultaneously create a synergy for the usage and marketing on other channels.

A Seamless Path to Conversion

In bridging the inspiration-to-action gap, the pivotal role of influencer content takes center stage. Brands have leveraged ingenious features such as Instagram Shopping and Facebook Shop to facilitate frictionless conversion pathways. Merging influencer content with these tools elevates inspiration to actionable engagement. Audiences captivated by influencer- and content creator-endorsed products can seamlessly transition from captivating posts to tangible purchases. This harmonization ensures a seamless journey, transforming potential customers into steadfast advocates and fostering an enduring cycle of engagement and growth.

The Essence of Influencer Selection and Engagement

Optimal influencer and content creator selection is foundational to this approach. Establishing transparent agreements and briefing influencers and content creators on brand ethos are essential to fruitful collaborations. Legal safeguards and clear communication lay the groundwork. In scenarios where expertise is limited, partnering with agencies can streamline influencer and content creator interactions and campaign execution.

In Closing: Creator-Based Performance Marketing Unveiled

To summarize, the convergence of influencer content and performance marketing encapsulates a dynamic approach that intertwines storytelling with data-driven precision. Integrating influencer and content creator insights within this framework magnifies its impact. By aligning influencer and content creator expertise with e-commerce tools, brands sculpt a seamless journey from intrigue to conversion. This narrative-rich pathway augments user experiences, fuels engagement, and emboldens online sales, forging a harmony between authenticity and commerce.

TikTok Influencer: The 20 Most Successful TikTok Influencers In Switzerland

After its international launch in 2017, TikTok has become one of the largest social media apps in the world. The ByteDance brainchild has become a sensation among young people around the world, having over a billion followers worldwide. As always, the popularity of this platform has given rise to many social media influencers on the platform. These influencers which are known as TikTok influencers have become people who can help businesses be more visible by authentically engaging their communities on the app.

Switzerland has a population of 8.66 million people. TikTok is becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland, especially among young people, but not only (see our blog article about “No, Gen Z doesn’t Equal “Gen TikTok”). In 2022, there were an estimated 2.06 million TikTok users in Switzerland that are 18 and above. The gender demography indicates that more females use TikTok in Switzerland with the ratio standing at  50.7% to 49.3% in favor of the ladies. The age demography is also much more widely distributed. According to a recent survey, the distribution is as follows: 18-24 years old: 50.5%, 25-34 years old: 38.8%, 35-44 years old: 5.9%, 45-54 years old: 2.2%,55 years and older: 2.6%.

With so many users spread across such a wide demography, it is a no-brainer that there are many successful TikTok Influencers in the country. The success of these influencers shows that TikTok is a powerful platform for reaching a large audience and building an engaging community in Switzerland. 

In today’s article, we are going to be revealing a list of the 20 most successful TikTok influencers in Switzerland, with whom we have worked for different brand campaigns throughout various industries. Let us dive into the list and find out who is who in Switzerland’s TikTok influencer world.

1. TP (@thispronto) – 16.1M followers

Oluyomi Scherrer, known as Thispronto (@thispronto) on TikTok, became super famous for making delicious food and cool videos. He started in 2020 and got 11.8 million followers fast by showing off his cheesy dishes and pulling them apart in cool ways. His videos went viral, especially when he sliced rare meats or made a chocolate milkshake, getting over 7.5 million views. He also has a YouTube channel with 125K subscribers, where he shares more about himself.

People love Thispronto for how he looks, his great smile, and his unique style. He’s a big deal on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and a lot of fans love following him.Now, he’s getting into modeling, and he’s still growing on social media. He’s known for his awesome cooking, friendly personality, and being popular on different platforms. He’s on track to be one of TikTok’s biggest stars, keeping fans hooked with his food skills and cool stuff online.

2. Noemi Nikita (@noeminikita) – 13.5M followers

Swiss TikToker Noemi Nikita commands a massive following of 13.5 million, renowned for her beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. Since her 2019 TikTok debut, she’s enchanted viewers with her fun takes on daily “getting ready”s . Her videos encompass funny and authentic makeup tutorials, fashion hauls, and insights into leading a chic life. Nikita’s innate ability to forge a personal bond with her audience sets her apart as a gifted content creator. Her videos are not only stylish and aspirational but also consistently engaging.

In the realm of TikTok, she’s a burgeoning luminary, destined for even greater prominence. Highlights of her TikTok success include a makeup tutorial with 10 million views, a fashion haul reaching 5 million views, and a peek into her daily routine garnering 3 million views. At the time of writing, her videos have amassed over 338.3 million likes. Nikita’s artistic prowess ensures ongoing entertainment and inspiration for her audience in Switzerland and around the world.
Nikita has participated in some of our campaigns. Check out her skincare routine for blemished skin with CeraVe.

3. Joung Gustav (@jounggustav) – 5.6M followers

Joung Gustav, a Swiss-born TikTok sensation, has etched his name among the top echelons of social media stardom in Switzerland. Boasting over 5.4 million followers, his rise to fame stemmed from the creative concoction of lip-sync and dance performances on the viral platform. His TikTok trajectory has been propelled by a fusion of musical prowess and street charisma. With a background in singing cultivated during his formative years in high school and college, Gustav wields his talent adeptly, captivating audiences globally. His knack for engaging strangers and delivering riveting rap performances amidst urban landscapes has earned him an impressive tally of over 102 million likes on TikTok.

His Instagram presence, boasting 309k followers, mirrors his TikTok exploits, showcasing street performances that amplify his magnetic online persona. Joung Gustav’s ascent epitomizes the digital age’s ability to transform talents into global phenomena, solidifying his status as a modern-day social media luminary in Switzerland and beyond.
Check out the content he created for one of our campaigns with him for the Smile Swiss Influencer Awards.

4. Daniellapintto (@daniellapintto) – 4.5M followers

Daniela Scuderi, better known to her 4.5 million followers as @daniellapintto on TikTok, is a Swiss sensation redefining social media entertainment and has captured hearts with her engaging lip-sync performances, relatable comedy sketches, and on-point trend videos.

Her rise to stardom stems from an innate ability to connect with her audience through authentic and entertaining content. Daniela’s TikTok account is a mosaic of creativity, where she effortlessly weaves together humor, trends, and relatable moments that resonate with millions worldwide.

Beyond TikTok, Daniela extends her digital footprint to Instagram, where she shares glimpses into her personal life, travels, and moments that further solidify her bond with fans. Her Instagram presence, akin to a visual diary, offers a deeper insight into the life and experiences of this multifaceted social media personality.
Daniela Scuderi isn’t just a TikTok star, she’s a symbol of contemporary digital entertainment, leveraging her charisma, talent, and authenticity to carve a niche in the dynamic landscape of social media. Her magnetic presence continues to captivate audiences, making her a celebrated figure in the realm of online entertainment. Check out the content she did with us for Fisher Price.

5. Leo (@leshautscommeleo) – 4.4M followers

Leo, better known as @leshautscommeleo on TikTok, has 4.5 million followers. Through his comedic sketches and engaging lip-syncing videos, he has successfully garnered a large following on the platform. Originating from a quaint Swiss town, Leo began his TikTok journey in 2020, rapidly amassing popularity through his relatable and amusing content. His videos, which humorously chronicle everyday encounters like school, work, and relationships, have struck a chord with viewers globally

Several of Leo’s TikTok videos have achieved substantial success. Notable among them are “My First Day of School,” viewed over 10 million times, “When Your Crush Texts You,” boasting 5 million views, and “How to Deal with Stress,” watched by over 3 million users.

In addition to his comedic prowess, Leo is a university student pursuing computer science, displaying a diverse skill set that encompasses music and singing. He holds a deep affection for comedy movies and TV shows, consistently aiming to elicit laughter from his audience. With an ability to forge a personal connection with his followers, Leo is primed for continued growth and recognition, emerging as an inspirational figure and exemplar of achievement for youth worldwide.

Check out his content for the Greenpeace campaign he did with us.

6. Ales2ndro (@ales2ndro) – 3.1M followers

Alessandro Crivelli, known as Ales2ndro on TikTok and Aless2ndro on Instagram, is a big deal on social media. He’s lives in Lugano, Switzerland. He attended a vocational high school focusing on digital communication, he’s really into music and ballet.

His social media success changed his life. It helped him shake off a negative outlook and see things in a more positive light. But fame comes with its challenges – he deals with prejudice and negativity sometimes.

He still hopes to be an actor and travel a lot. His message to everyone out there is all about self-belief, chasing dreams, and making the most out of life. That’s what he’s all about!
He’s part of a lot of campaigns with us, to name a few: to promote the relaunch of a new insurance for Helvetia, or the “Not a Joke” campaign against cyber mobbing.

7. AdiTotoro (@aditotoro) – 2.4M followers

AdiTotoro is super famous on TikTok! Loads of people like his videos – he’s got over 97.4 million likes and 2.4 million followers. What’s cool about him is the funny and clever stuff he does in his videos. He loves wearing his special Totoro costume in them.

Apart from TikTok, he’s all over other places too like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch. On YouTube, he started way back in 2015, making all sorts of videos like pranks and vlogs. Later on, he decided to make his videos in Swiss German.

He’s not just about making videos, though. 

AdiTotoro also started his own clothing label called De Bifferent and won some cool awards like the Swiss Comedy Award in 2020 and the Swiss Influencer Award in 2021. In 2019, he began his journey on TikTok, and he’s been doing fun stuff there ever since!
AdiTotoro had different plans before; he wanted to work at a radio station. But he found his true calling on social media, and that’s where he’s really made a name for himself. He is part of our campaign with Stimorol, check it out!

8. Chiaracastelli (@chiaracastelli) – 1.8M followers

@chiaracastelli is a buzzing account, full of music magic, owned by Chiara Castelli, a talented Swiss singer-songwriter. With a massive 1.8 million followers and 19.1 million likes, her TikTok is a hotspot for music lovers.

Chiara’s TikTok is all about her tunes! She shares her musical talent through videos of her singing and strumming her guitar, plus covers of hit songs. But it’s not just performances – she also gives a sneak peek into her creative process and chats with fans in the comments.
This account is a stage for Chiara’s music and a window into her world for fans. Her dedication to music shines through her posts, keeping everyone hooked with her fresh and exciting content. Chiara Castelli is more than just an artist; she’s a passionate soul sharing her talent and connecting with fans in a whole new way through TikTok. Check out her content for the Zurich Film Festival campaign she did with us.

9. Kabee.ch (@Kabee.ch) – 1.1M followers

Kabee Ch is a big deal on TikTok! She’s got a whopping 1.1 million followers and a massive 26.1 million views altogether. People love her creative ideas and fun content. On TikTok, she rocks with her cool conversational videos, lip-syncs, and POV videos. 

She’s not just about TikTok! On Instagram, Kabee Ch shares cool glimpses of her life, stunning outfits, and modeling photos. She’s super friendly and connects with her audience real quick. 
Her fans adore watching her videos, liking, commenting, and sharing the fun. She’s a star on both TikTok and Instagram, showing off her creativity and making everyone smile. Check out her content for our campaign for Maybelline New York.

10. raffasplasticlife (@raffasplastic) – 1M followers

Raffasplastic is a German social media personality and comedian known for her humorous and sometimes controversial content on TikTok and Instagram. Born in 1994 in Germany, she began creating videos in 2016, quickly gaining attention for her distinctive and bold sense of humor. Her content often involves discussions about her life, relationships, and experiences with mental health.

She’s recognized for parodies of popular songs and impressions of celebrities, showcasing her creativity and ability to engage her audience. Despite the controversial nature of some of her content, Raffasplastic has garnered praise for her originality and her knack for connecting with her viewers. With over 25 million likes on TikTok and a following of more than 360,000 on Instagram, she’s made a significant impact in the realm of social media comedy. Check out her content for our campaign for NYX Cosmetics!

11. Lanabante (@ Lanabante) – 714.5k followers

Lanabante, also known as Laura Bante, is a Swiss influencer, actress, and fitness enthusiast. Her TikTok boasts over 700,000 followers, while her Instagram has gathered over 110,000 fans.

On TikTok, Lanabante shares relatable and funny content, often talking about daily life, relationships, personal growth, and self-love. She also posts workout routines, healthy eating ideas, and beauty tips, inspiring her audience to lead healthier and more positive lives.

Her authentic personality and down-to-earth content have struck a chord with her audience, making her a beloved influencer in the Swiss TikTok community. Lanabante’s knack for connecting with followers on a personal level motivates them to embrace their uniqueness and chase their aspirations.
Beyond social media, Lanabante is an actress with experience in theater productions and starring roles in short films. Her passion for performing and her ability to captivate audiences hint at a promising future in the world of acting. She is part of a lot of our campaigns for different brands, check out the content she created on TikTok for the Brother mini printer campaign.

12. Margauxcedoux (@margauxseydouxx) – 664.8k followers

Margauseydouxx is a video content creator that’s popular on the Swiss tiktok. She is known for her fun and engaging videos that focus on DIY, fashion, lifestyle, and food. She has a total of 664.8k followers and a whooping 29 million views on all her videos. 

She has carved a niche for herself in the digital realm with her delightful and heartfelt content. Born with a creative spirit, Margaux captivates her audience with a warm and affectionate approach. Whether she’s crafting inventive DIY projects, sharing fashion-forward style tips, or offering glimpses into her lifestyle and culinary creations, Margaux’s content is an open invitation for her followers to join in the joy of crafting and self-care. 

Recently, as the cold season has approached, Margaux has been treating her followers to a festive array of content tailored specifically for the holiday season. From crafting gingerbread pillows to presenting thoughtful year-end gift ideas, she guides her community through the art of self-expression. And let’s not forget the adorable addition to her content – Twyx, her cute and endearing cat. 
Also check out the content she created for our Maybelline New York campaign!

13. Nathii (@nathistyle) – 269.4k followers

Nathii, also known as Nathistyle, is a big deal on TikTok. Lots of people like her there – over 16.9 million times! She has about 271,000 friends following her too. What’s cool about her is what she does on TikTok.

She makes videos about her life, the fun things she does, and the clothes she likes. Nathistyle is never shy about showing who she really is. People love that about her. She’s a happy and inspiring person who’s always ready for new things.

Apart from TikTok, she’s on YouTube with her own channel. And guess what? She’s got a podcast too! It’s called Znüni Pause.
Nathistyle is famous for being herself and sharing her life with everyone. Whether it’s vlogs or fashion stuff, she’s got a lot of interesting things to watch. If you’re looking for something fun and exciting, her TikTok is where you can find it. Check out her stylish content she created for our campaign with the secondhand shop marko.

14. Christabelle (@christabelle_8) – 253.5k followers

Christabelle (@christabelle_8) thrives as a TikTok sensation with a robust 253.5k followers. Renowned for her comedy sketches, engaging lip-syncs, and spirited dance challenges, her singing prowess shines through covers of popular tracks. Her videos, seamlessly blending humor and relatability, masterfully tickle funny bones while showcasing her natural ability to evoke laughter. Christabelle’s creative reservoir seemingly knows no bounds, consistently birthing captivating content ideas.

Noteworthy videos include a hilarious mall misadventure sketch, clocking 100k+ views, an energetic lip-sync rendition of “Levitating” by Dua Lipa with 50k+ views, and a dynamic dance challenge to Cardi B’s “Up,” garnering 30k+ views. As a burgeoning TikTok luminary, Christabelle’s trajectory promises sustained growth. Her fusion of talent and creativity ensures riveting entertainment and inspiration for her expanding audience.

In the challenge arena, Christabelle shines bright; her #InMyFeelings challenge video went viral with over a million views. Likewise, her #Renegade and #SaySo challenge entries achieved impressive traction, cementing her role as a rising influencer.

15. Leonard Khalifa (@leonard.khalifa) – 238k followers

Leonard Khalifa isn’t just an entrepreneur; he’s a TikTok sensation! With a whopping 238,000 followers, his TikTok game is strong. Known for his humor and engaging content, he reels in his audience with funny videos showcasing his life in Switzerland.

On TikTok, Leonard crafts a world of laughter and entertainment, sharing snippets of his daily life with a touch of Swiss charm. His engaging content keeps followers hooked, making him a popular figure in the digital space.
Whether he’s cracking jokes or giving glimpses into his Swiss lifestyle, Leonard’s TikTok account is a blend of humor and relatable moments. With his engaging approach, he’s managed to carve a niche in the online world, captivating thousands with his amusing content. For a dose of laughter and a peek into Swiss life, Leonard Khalifa’s TikTok is the go-to destination! Check out the content he did for a campaign with us: Blink Fahrschule.

16. T_ronimo (@t_ronimo) – 198.5k followers

T_ronimo, an engaging TikTok persona, a Swiss comedian and actor, boasts a sizable 100,000 followers. His posts offer a candid lens into his life, reflections, and personal experiences, generating an authentic connection with his audience. Presenting an eclectic mix of content, from narratives of his journey as a Balkan immigrant in Switzerland to introspections on the world’s current state and encounters with racism, T_ronimo’s videos resonate due to their blend of humor and unfiltered sincerity.

Emerging in 2022, T_ronimo transcends Swiss borders, finding resonance in countries like Germany, Austria, and Italy. His charm strikes a chord most notably among the youthful demographic aged 18-34, fostering an engaged community.
He worked in a lot of campaigns with us, check out his content for the CeraVe campaign.

18. DARIO.SKRR (@dario.skrr) – 177k followers

DARIO.SKRR, the TikTok sensation with the handle @dario.skrr, is captivating an audience of over 177,000 followers and accruing a staggering 8.7 million likes. Hailing from Switzerland, Dario specialises in comedic sketches and lip-syncs, often joining creative forces with his girlfriend, Aliah. Their collaborative energy shines in videos like the “skrr boi” lip-sync, amassing 740,000 views, and a playful reenactment of a “Mean Girls” scene with 600,000 views. Simple yet uproarious, a video of Dario’s funny face garners 500,000 views.

At just 18 years old, Dario, also known as Dario Bühler, has swiftly risen to fame on TikTok. Based in Winterthur, he balances his online presence with studies at the University of Applied Sciences, where he explores his passion for marketing and social media. Having entered the TikTok scene in 2022, DARIO.SKRR’s charm has even graced Swiss media outlets like 20 Minuten and Blick. His infectious humour and relatability make his TikTok page a prime destination for a hearty laugh. He’s a part of a few campaigns with us, check out one of his content he did for our campaign with Manor!

18. Eric Wdrae (@ericwdrae) – 138k followers

Eric Wdrae (@ericwdrae), a Swiss comedian and TikTok content creator, is making waves with his hilarious sketches and videos that shed light on Swiss culture. Boasting an impressive following, his content has collectively amassed over 100 million views. Eric’s comedic genius shines through in his most popular videos. His take on the unique Swiss pronunciation of the letter “W” has generated uproarious laughter from over 1 million viewers. Delving into the nation’s love affair with cheese, a video with 500K views has struck a chord with many. 

Additionally, his clever portrayal of Swiss people’s obsession with order and cleanliness, depicted in a video with 300K views, demonstrates his keen observational skills. In total, he has a cummulative of 6 million likes from all his videos.
Eric Wdrae’s comedic prowess has catapulted him into the spotlight on TikTok, and his meteoric rise is undeniable. As he continues to tickle funny bones and offer glimpses into Swiss culture, his follower count is bound to surge, solidifying his position as a prominent and side-splitting presence on the platform. We worked with Eric for a few of our campaigns, check out some of the content he did for SBB CFF!

19. Der Praktikant Official (@derpraktikanttv) – 130.4k followers

Der Praktikanttv are rocking it on TikTok! With a knack for quick, engaging content, their TikTok game is on fire. Even though they’re relatively new to the platform, they have 145.8k followers  and 6.1 million likes.

On TikTok, Der Praktikanttv brings a slice of Switzerland, blending humor, catchy sounds, and relatable Swiss phrases. Their short, engaging videos capture the essence of Swiss culture, making it all the more appealing to a local audience.

From a glimpse into Swiss student life to tips on the best places to dine in Zurich, their TikTok serves up bite-sized chunks of Swiss travel, food, and culture. Their unique perspective on Switzerland and their lighthearted, humorous approach set them apart from other travel channels on the platform.
Der Praktikanttv’s TikTok is an ideal spot for anyone curious about Switzerland, offering informative and entertaining content that’ll make you want to explore the country firsthand! Check out the creative content he did for our campaign with Bubble Box.

20. Noah Bachofen  (@bachofennoah) – 38.9k followers

Noah Bachofen is not just a master chef but a TikTok sensation too! With over 38.9K followers and 1.6M likes, his TikTok game is strong. You’ll catch him cooking up Swiss cuisine, adding a dash of humor and catchy sound effects to spice things up.

In Noah’s TikTok world, it’s all about showcasing his culinary skills and the delights of Swiss food. His videos are a treat, hitting over 4.08 million views! He knows how to turn the kitchen into an entertaining stage, making cooking fun and engaging for everyone.

From slicing and dicing to sharing his unique recipes, Noah’s TikTok is a flavorful journey through the world of cooking. He adds that special touch of humor and captivating effects to keep his audience hooked.
For anyone passionate about food or looking for some culinary inspiration, Noah’s TikTok (@bachofennoah) is the place to be. Dive into the world of flavors, recipes, and cooking tips, all served up with a side of entertainment! Check out his refreshing and cool content for a campaign he did for us for AirUp!

Conclusion

Here are some of the most popular TikTok influencers in Switzerland. If you are planning to carry out a campaign anytime soon, this might just be the perfect list to make your choice from. You may wonder who would be the perfect fit for your brand though? At Kingfluencers, we help businesses connect with the right influencers in order to bring your message to your target audience(s). Reach out to us today so we can help you with your individual sourcing for your perfect TikTok influencers and beyond.

Is the TikTok ban coming?

We have noticed some restrictions, but TikTok still remains the place to connect. But what is really going on behind the hotly debated #TikTokBan?

Currently, a “TikTok Ban” is on everyone’s lips, especially in the US. Montana recently became the first US state to talk about banning TikTok on personal devices. TikTok is suing Montana, arguing the ban violates the Constitution by limiting the company’s right to host and distribute user-created content. TikTok is asking the court for an injunction to block the ban, which, if granted, would allow the app to conduct business as usual in the state while the courts sort out the relevant issues. Additionally, five TikTok creators filed their own lawsuit against the state, arguing that the Montana ban violates the First Amendment.

Like the TikTok company itself, Kingfluencers is closely monitoring current events. While a ban is less likely to occur here in the DACH region, we’re exploring what it would mean.

Why is TikTok Being Banned?

The concerns driving TikTok bans are:

  • Accessibility of dangerous content
  • Personal data being transferred out of the EU
  • The Chinese government could access sensitive user data, like location info 
  • China could use it to spread misinfo

In January, EU Commissioner for International Market Thierry Breton expressed concerns about the easy accessibility of dangerous content on TikTok, as well as journalists being spied on, and personal data being transferred outside Europe. Breton spoke with TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew and emphasized the need to comply with EU legislation including privacy laws and the new EU Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA, which will apply to major platforms on 1 September, is a set of sweeping rules that will require platforms to reduce harmful online content and combat online risks. “We will not hesitate to adopt the full scope of sanctions to protect our citizens if audits do not show full compliance,” Breton said.

Since TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, governments are concerned that may grant the Chinese government access to sensitive user data, like location information. The New York Times writes that these concerns are due to laws that allow the Chinese government to secretly demand data from Chinese companies and citizens for intelligence-gathering operations. TikTok has long denied these allegations. Governments are also worried that China could use TikTok’s content recommendations to spread misinformation. Chinese ownership seems to be the main issue, according to the New York Times. TikTok said recently that the Biden administration wants its Chinese ownership to sell the app or face a possible ban.

EU Commissioner for International Market Thierry

Where is TikTok Banned?

Numerous government bodies have recently banned the app from official devices, including the US federal government, Canada, the executive arm of the European Union, Australia, and the Parliaments of Britain and New Zealand. Again, these bans apply only to official government devices and have no impact on what private citizens choose to use on their own mobile devices.

India banned TikTok outright in June 2020, along with 58 other Chinese apps, to curb the perceived spread of Chinese influence in the country.

In late February, the Swiss Federal Chancellery told RSI that there are currently no plans to ban TikTok in Switzerland. The federal administration could ban the use of individual apps at any time, but at the moment such a ban is not intended for TikTok. Mauro Tuena, SVP national councilor and head of the security commission stated that the security of user data should always be the top priority, although a nationwide ban would go too far. Some elected officials believe a TikTok ban should be discussed if the platform repeatedly failed in protecting user data.

TikTok now has more than 150 million monthly active users in the US. With a total population of 332 million, that’s approaching half! Clearly, the app is popular with Americans, making a ban highly unpopular.

How is TikTok Responding?

​If EU governments were to begin debating a ban, we would expect TikTok to adjust guidelines voluntarily in order to remedy the concerns and allay the need for a ban.

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has fired four employees who illegally accessed the personal data of two journalists on the platform. The company has stated that it takes data security “incredibly seriously”. Regarding the EU ban on TikTok on official devices, a TikTok representative said: “We are disappointed with this decision, which we believe is wrong and based on fundamental misunderstandings. We have contacted the Commission to set the record straight and explain how we protect the data of the 125 million people in the EU who use TikTok every month.”


Yoeri Callebaut,

I do not believe that TikTok will be banned in Europe. European governments may apply pressure and they will come to an agreement in the end. Should TikTok be banned, there would be some eager replacements on the market very fast. While that would be exciting to see, I don’t think it will come to that point.

Yoeri Callebaut, CEO Kingfluencers

Impacts of a TikTok Ban

Brands value access to their target audiences as well as high engagement, and TikTok influencers deliver both. TikTok now has the highest engagement rates of any social media platform, 5.69% per post, compared to Instagram’s 0.47%. A TikTok ban would mean creators would lose the audiences and engagement they’ve spent time building. 

Additionally, TikTok emphasizes discovery, enabling posts from users with a small following to go viral. This makes the platform an excellent venue for new creators to achieve success. A TikTok ban would of course be detrimental for creators and brands alike, although other platforms, such as Meta, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat, could benefit as audiences shift.

How Can Brands & Influencers Mitigate Damage in this Unlikely Event?

There are a few things creators can do to mitigate the negative impact.

  • Diversify Your Online Presence

Work to build an audience on other social media platforms. You can upload your videos to YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Snapchat’s Spotlight while continuing to make TikToks.

The content creator and food blogger Jey Cis (@cookingwithjey) also follows this strategy: “I generally try to spread myself across several platforms and have now also started a blog. Because in these fast-moving times, you never know what’s coming next. You should always have a plan B at the start or diversify.”

  • Develop Various Income Streams

You can monetize your audience by selling physical and digital products or services such as Cameo.

Again, the ban seems very unlikely, but these steps can benefit creators in any case. Brands can also benefit by partnering with influencers who have engaged audiences on multiple platforms


Jey Cis

If it [the TikTok ban] should happen, then a change is also a new chance to develop and grow. But of course, it would affect and worry me, because a lot of love and hard work was invested to create such an engaging account and community. Even if many out there still think that I “only make videos”.

Jey Cis, Content Creator

The Fact Remains: TikTok for Businesses Works

TikTok is still THE place for brands to reach and connect with Gen Z and, but also older generations. Working with dozens of leading TikTok-centric content creators, our expert team delivers and implements high-performing TikTok ad strategies or influencer campaigns. Developing and implementing a successful TikTok strategy will generate multiple tangible benefits, today and in the future.

Our success stories include:

Contact us to get started on TikTok ad strategies for your brand to shine.

Author: Megan Bozman, Owner @Boz Content Marketing

The Top 10 Instagram Agencies in Switzerland (2023)

Finding the best TikTok agency that’s based in Switzerland can be a challenge. 

So we’ve gone out and researched for you which Tik Tok agencies there are in Switzerland – and summarized them in the following directory of the top 10 Swiss agencies for Instagram content and advertising, sorted by city.

Of course, we’re also recommending our own Instagram agency, Kingfluencers!

The directory is not complete, you’re welcome to tell us about other agencies that belong on this list and we’ll be happy to add them.

The Top 10 Instagram Agencies in Switzerland

The 10 Best Instagram Agencies in Switzerland

Zurich, Basel and Bern are the three big Swiss cities offering Instagram agencies. While the amount of agencies you can choose from is overwhelming, the world of social media marketing is growing fast and new players are popping up all the time. 

So let’s dive into the 10 best Instagram and Instagram agencies Switzerland has to offer:

Instagram Agencies in Zurich

Kingfluencers

Kingfluencers is Switzerland’s pioneer of influencer marketing since 2016. Our team provides you with a full service including every aspect of influencer marketing on Instagram. Our agency follows highly efficient  and rock-solid processes with proprietary and AI powered in-house technology in order to generate the best outcomes on Instagram for your brand from day one of our collaboration. From strategy to implementation and ongoing community management to reporting and optimization, we bring your message to life and generate more brand love. With our network of more than 3,000 creators and our multiskilled diverse team of experts, strategists and creative minds, we deliver exactly the services and support that you need, when and where you need it, so your brand presence will hit the mark. Creativity and quality are our drivers, going the extra mile to perform is our constant state of mind… because we love doing what we do!

To get the real full-service omnichannel approach, our influencer marketing content can be recycled and broadcast as a TV commercial thanks to our new service “Influencer TV Spot”. With our partnership with Admeira, all brands get the opportunity to benefit from the power of TV with the unmatched appeal of influencer marketing at an accessible cost for more reach.

Kingfluencers is based at Hohlstrasse 188, 8004 Zurich, Switzerland.

Ramble

As a Swiss Instagram agency, ramble designs tailor-made content strategies for your company, plans and produces all content for your social channels – if you wish, they can also take over the entire community management. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. The Facebook subsidiary has seen enormous growth, especially in recent years. The perfect channel to position your advertising message in a young and dynamic environment.

ramble’s Instagram agency is based at Räffelstrasse 26, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland.

Suchhelden

Suchhelden has the resources and know-how to fill your Instagram account with high quality posts and increase your reach. As an Instagram agency, they focus on stimulating the growth of your Instagram account. While you can continue to focus on doing what you do best. Suchhelden takes care of posts in the form of photography and videography that fit your company. In their role as one of the known Instagram marketing agencies from Switzerland, they’ll help to make your message understandable and suitable for Instagram. 

Suchhelden’s agency is based at Hagenholzstrasse 83b, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland.

Instagram Agencies in Basel, Switzerland

MindStudios

An appearance on Instagram is not aimed at generating likes – at least it shouldn’t. Swiss-based agency Mindstudios works with you to develop a strategy that is fully aligned with the goals of your company. While private Instagram use is often characterized by spontaneity, they recommend comprehensive editorial planning for professional use, which guarantees the necessary consistency of content publishing. They’ll support you in this or take over the task completely in consultation with you. Mindstudios agency’s Instagram experts create all kinds of content, always tailored to your target groups and your goals.

Mindstudios is based at St. Alban-Tal 43, 4052 Basel, Switzerland.

OnlineKarma

The Instagram agency onlineKarma implements campaigns for companies from large to small, supports channels from A-Z and provides support for the complete Instagram marketing.

Achieve your goals with profitable Instagram campaigns and effective influencer marketing. From strategy, planning and implementation, they look after brands and provide support for complete Instagram marketing. onlineKarma is one of the leading Instagram agencies in Switzerland. They would be happy to support you professionally for effective and successful campaigns.

OnlineKarma’s agency is based at Hebelstrasse 52, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.

Sidekicks

Sidekicks’ agency helps you to determine the target group and to record the targeting. They set up your TikTok campaign and constantly optimize it for optimal performance. They also report on the results of the campaigns in monthly reports, based on your needs. For the Swiss agency, it is important that results and figures are understandable and that every customer has a contact person for all concerns regarding their TikTok campaign. Sidekicks help to define the goals and target groups. A campaign can only be successful if there is clarity about this.

Sidekicks TikTok agency is based at Steinentorstrasse 19, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.

Instagram Agencies in Bern

Social Media Agentur Bern

Social Media Agentur Bern takes over your complete Instagram appearance with unusual ideas. 

Social Media Agentur Bern takes care of everything from planning to implementation to posting and maintaining the account. So you don’t have to worry about anything. With a professional social media appearance, your company will be seen as modern and innovative.

The Swiss Instagram agency helps you build up organic reach through professional content and thereby generates new customers.

Social Media Agentur Bern is based at Unterdorfstrasse 5, 3072 Ostermundigen, Switzerland.

Creasquare

As part of an Instagram campaign, Creasquare’s agency quickly gets you new contacts with potential for conversion. With Instagram, they’ll target your target group very precisely and address them personally. Creasquare agency differentiate into two areas, your Owned Media and Paid Media. With organic owned media you can serve particularly well existing contacts and customers and remain present sustainably. With paid advertising, on the other hand, you gain reach, traffic or interesting contacts.

Creasquare is based at Morillonstrasse 11, 3007 Bern, Switzerland.

Iqual

Instagram Ads enables you to reach a specific target group and to interact specifically with the largest user group, between 18-34. Swiss Instagram agency Iqual would be happy to advise you and help you achieve your goals with Instagram advertising. In order to ensure the sustainable operation of the Instagram advertising account set up by them via Facebook, clean and targeted support and optimization is mandatory. Iqual can also take over and maintain accounts that they have not set up themselves. However, they know from experience that one revision or even new addition is in many cases worth it.

Iqual’s Instagram Ads agency is based at Morgenstrasse 131B, 3018 Bern, Switzerland.

Found the right Swiss Instagram agency for you?

We hope this list helped you to choose the best agency for yourself!

Our clients’ success with Instagram marketing has shown that if you choose the right agency to partner with, it’s an amazing way to grow your brand and recruit new customers.

To see what’s possible with the right strategy on Instagram, check out our success stories

The Top 10 TikTok Agencies in Switzerland (2023)

Finding the right TikTok agency that’s based in Switzerland can be a challenge. 

So we’ve gone out and researched for you which agencies there are in Switzerland – and summarized them in the following directory of the top 10 Swiss agencies for TikTok content and advertising, sorted by city.

Of course, we’re also recommending our own TikTok agency, Kingfluencers!

The directory is not complete, you’re welcome to tell us about other agencies that belong on this list and we’ll be happy to add them.

TikTok Agency Switzerland

The 10 Best TikTok Agencies in Switzerland

Zurich and Basel are the two big Swiss cities offering TikTok agencies. While the amount of agencies you can choose from is not overwhelming, the world of TikTok marketing is growing and new ones are popping up all the time. 

So let’s dive into the 10 best TikTok agencies Switzerland has to offer:

TikTok Agencies in Zurich

Kingfluencers AG

Kingfluencers is Switzerland’s pioneer of influencer marketing since 2016. Working with dozens of leading TikTok-centric content creators, our expert team delivers and implements high-performing TikTok influencer marketing campaigns but moreover, also offers unique TikTok strategies, “how to TikTok” workshops, community management and content creation for its clients . Developing and implementing a successful TikTok strategy will generate multiple tangible benefits, today and in the future. Even if Gen Z and young millennials are not your current customers, they are certainly your customers of tomorrow. TikTok allows you to get a head start in the constant race for market leadership.

Our TikTok expert team with in-house TikToker Julie Riess as well as our Chief TikTok & Trends Ramin Yousofzai are here to help you get ahead and win the race, also as a TikTok Partner Agency, we’re in direct contact with the platform itself. For our own TikTok approach, we’re additionally working closely with our strong partner KaltesWasser – THE TikTok agency from Zurich – to have more GenZ power right next door.

Kingfluencers holistic full-service agency is based at Hohlstrasse 188, 8004 Zurich, Switzerland.

Tings

Tings live and love TikTok. They’re as entertaining, funny and trendy as the platform itself. Their creative team has an eye for the optimal imagery. Their paid team brings your content onto your audience’s screens. 8 out of 10 team members have their roots in journalism – so storytelling is in their blood. And, as is customary for a TikTok agency, they’re on the platform 24/7 and know each corner and every trend.

Tings TikTok agency is based at Buckhauserstrasse 30, 8048 Zurich Altstetten, Switzerland.

Ramble

Would you like to reach the young target group with your company and get started with TikTok Marketing? As a TikTok marketing agency, ramble will develop a TikTok marketing strategy tailored to your brand. With creative approaches and a mix of organic content from the creative content team and paid ads, they get you to success. Because as TikTok says: Don’t Make Ads. Make TikToks! In other words: Adapt your advertising to the target group and conquer the hearts of the young community with a creative approach.

ramble is based at Räffelstrasse 26, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland.

Tiktokmarketing.ch

Tiktokmarketing.ch’s goal is to support Swiss companies and marketers on all things TikTok, be it with the help of their informative blog or their various service offerings. As an “early adopter” of this new social network and an experienced agency in the field of digital marketing, they have the necessary knowledge to successfully position your company on TikTok.

Tiktokmarketing.ch is a branch of Yuzer Group S.àr.l., Auf der Mauer 2, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.

FINNA

FINNA puts your brand, your company or yourself on TikTok. The agency creates your content, manages your community and helps you reach Generation Z on TikTok and all other social media channels. Get your business on TikTok – and not just with cats or challenges! FINNA makes it possible and works with you to develop formats optimally tailored to your ideas, or even comprehensive campaigns. The agency connects you with Generation Z and shows you what your community really wants on social media.

FINNA are based in Zurich and Baden, Switzerland.

xeit

The Swiss TikTok agency xeit creates and places TikTok advertising for your company according to your needs and goals. Whether you want to know how to integrate TikTok into the marketing mix, need help developing a strategy, or need a partner to help you with content production and/or community management, xeit is there for you. Xeit is based at Limmatstrasse 291, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland.

Suchhelden

Would you like to use the many advantages of TikTok and get started as a company with TikTok marketing and targeted advertising campaigns? Suchhelden support you as a competent and experienced TikTok agency in your project. As a full-service agency, they know what’s important in the social media world. 

The agency is based at Hagenholzstrasse 83b, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland.

Rob Nicolas

Rob Nicolas, a TikTok agency from Zurich and Chur, Switzerland, will secure and create TikTok accounts for your business – even if you don’t plan to enter the social network right away. They’ll work out the basis for your future TikTok strategy together with you in a workshop. Whether it’s “Auction Ads” or “Reservation Ads”: They’ll set up your TikTok campaigns and look after them from A to Z. Through their direct exchange with TikTok, you’ll benefit from current know-how on the subject. Rob Nicolas’ young team creates appropriate and entertaining content, tailored to TikTok.

The agency is based at Jupiterstrasse 49, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.

TikTok Agencies in Basel, Switzerland

Sidekicks

Sidekicks’ agency helps you to determine the target group and to record the targeting. They set up your TikTok campaign and constantly optimize it for optimal performance. For the Swiss agency, it is important that results and figures are understandable and that every customer has a contact person for all concerns regarding their TikTok campaign. Sidekicks helps to define the goals and target groups. A campaign can only be successful if there is clarity about this.

Sidekicks TikTok agency is based at Steinentorstrasse 19, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.

Mindstudios

An appearance on TikTok is not aimed at generating likes – at least it shouldn’t. Swiss-based agency Mindstudios works with you to develop a strategy that is fully aligned with the goals of your company. While private TikTok use is often characterized by spontaneity, they recommend comprehensive editorial planning for professional use, which guarantees the necessary consistency of content publishing. They’ll support you in this or take over the task completely in consultation with you. Depending on the nature of your business, the content may come almost automatically – or it may have to be produced in a targeted manner. Mindstudios agency’s TikTok experts create all kinds of content, always tailored to your target groups and your goals.

Mindstudios is based at St. Alban-Tal 43, 4052 Basel, Switzerland.

TikTok Agencies Aargau

Equipe.one

Equipe.one from Suhr, AG swears by its “state-of-the-art content for maximum reach”. The team consists of video experts, among others, who offer everything from the script to the finished edited video from a single source in order to use fewer resources and still obtain perfectly coordinated content. They realize content projects of all kinds, focused on TikTok and are the number 1 contact for various influencers and companies. They plan, write, produce and accompany a concept from A-Z. Their creative and innovative approach promises high-quality content tailored to every target group and for every customer.

Found the right Swiss TikTok agency for you?

We hope this list helped you to choose the best agency for yourself!

Our clients’ success with TikTok marketing has shown that if you choose the right agency to partner with, it’s an amazing way to grow your brand and recruit new customers.To see what’s possible with the right strategy on TikTok, check out some of our TikTok success stories.

Author: Yoeri Callebaut, CEO @Kingfluencers

No, Gen Z doesn’t Equal “Gen TikTok”

If you’re a casual observer of social media, you might believe the common myth that “TikToker” and “Gen Z” are synonymous. The myth is common among many marketers and brands and seems to be widespread overall. Googling, “TikTok Gen X” yields results about… Gen Z. (I had to confirm I’d typed in the right term!)

To be fair, the platform was initially more popular among the group born between 1997 and 2012, currently aged between 12 and 25. But the truth is that the popularity of the app is increasing among a range of demographics.

Being most popular among Gen Z is decidedly not the same as being not popular with other generations. The percentage of users might be highest in Gen Z, but plenty of others still love it.

Just because Gen Z may have led the way doesn’t mean other generations haven’t also moved to embrace TikTok.

TikTok is the first non-Meta app (and the fifth app of all time) to surpass 3 billion downloads. In 2021, the platform remained the most-download app globally, with 656 million downloads.

Source: Forbes, 2021

No app grows to this phenomenal level of popularity by having a narrow appeal.

For example, some popular Swiss TikTokers on the cusp of GenX and millennials include _ohheyvivi_, who posts about fashion, beauty, food, sports, and being a mom, and soleil_fatima, who posts about sports, women’s issues, health, and fashion. Jonny Fischer shares his attempts at trends enjoyed by younger TikTokers, as well as amusing juxtapositions between youthful partying and his godfather role of Manu’s young kids aka his comedian partner from famous Cabaret Divertimento. Doris Flury posts healthy recipes, including vegan and gluten-free cookies.

Millennial TikTokers are among our “Swiss Influencers & Content Creators to Keep an Eye On.” Eric Lüthi creates comedy content on his own or with his friend T-Ronimo, where they often present two female characters, Bresha and Selina, in funny situations.

The hashtag #genX has 6.6B views and includes posts on parenting teens, nostalgic memories from the ‘90s, and aging. Popular GenX posters include Jack Black, a comedian whose WAP dance earned more than 5 million views. Finance expert Marie shares line dance tutorials and recreates ‘80s and ’90s dance moves with her friends and family, including her Gen Z and millennial kids.

TikTok Plays a Role in The Lives of Gen Zers

TikTok appears to be the go-to search engine for Gen Z. Prabhakar Raghavan, Senior Vice President who runs Google’s Knowledge & Information organization, said, “In our studies, something like almost 40% of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, they don’t go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.”

Stanford scholar describes Gen Z as a highly collaborative cohort that cares deeply about others. Their social justice advocacy extends to TikTok. A coalition of top Gen Z TikTok stars is pledging to cease all work with Amazon until the company meets the demands of the Amazon Labor Union. The group of 70 TikTok creators boasts a combined following of over 51 million.

Different Generations Use TikTok Differently

Plenty of older people also enjoy dance videos, and who doesn’t love a silly animal video? My Gen Z son showed Gen X me this funny parrot one recently and I very much enjoyed it. AARP (formerly American Association of Retired Persons) outlined some ways in which use for older people may differ. “Some older adults join TikTok to bond with their kids and grandkids… TikTok is full of diversions that may help older folks, or people of any age, feel less bored or lonely.”

According to the Deloitte Digital Media Trends Survey 15th Edition, 84% of all consumers say they use social media platforms, although there are generational distinctions. 27% of Gen Z likes to watch TV shows and movies via social media, as does 23% of Gen X. However, only 25% of Gen X listens to music, whereas 44% of Gen Z does.

Older generations use social media differently than Gen Z… but they still use it.

TikTok, in particular, is used by 10% of Gen Xers, and 5% of baby boomers, according to a study conducted by Fortune and SurveyMonkey, but is rising fast. 40% of Baby Boomers view social media as an essential part of their lives. Engaging on social platforms is a top 3 entertainment activity for 17% of Gen X and 11% of Boomers. Kingfluencers has also worked with numerous influencers including and beyond Gen Z, such as CorEstilo Style, to build successful collaborations for L’Oréal.

TikTok is About Communities & Connection

NPR recently wrote that Facebook is making radical changes to keep up with TikTok. “TikTok’s got one fundamental thing that Facebook doesn’t have, TikTok is cool. And it’s very hard to recreate cool,” said Matt Navarra, a social media consultant, and analyst.

As users continue to spend a lot of time on the app, TikTok promotes a variety of positive, uplifting activities. TikTok also offers extensive support to content creators – even those creators who author content that’s consumed outside of the platform. Most recently, TikTok has partnered with Barnes & Noble and their creator community to launch the #BookTokChallenge, which encourages people to read new books and authors, and then share their reactions.

Even TikTok ads are enjoyed by a wide audience. Kantar’s latest Media Reactions Report ranked TikTok #1 for “ad equity,” a measurement of the audience’s attitude and preference towards ads. “TikTok’s branded solutions aren’t perceived as just “ads” by audiences. In fact, TikTok tops the list for delivering branded content that actually resonates with online consumers.”

Building a Strong TikTok Presence

Back in May 2021, TikTok was insisting that no platform has that reach without “something for everyone”  while pitching marketers and looking to shake up perception that it’s a Gen Z phenomenon. TikTok’s continuing growth in global popularity reveals just how untrue it is to claim the platform is the exclusive domain of Gen Z.

Kingfluencers works with brands to build a strong TikTok presence. Contact us to get started developing and implementing a successful TikTok strategy that will generate multiple benefits, today and in the future.

Author: Megan Bozman, Owner @Boz Content Marketing

Fake Followers and How to Deal With Them

Fake Followers and How to Deal With Them

Especially with followers, more is not always better! With the phenomenon of social media and the increasing attractiveness of becoming an influencer, the number of “fake followers” is also increasing. For many people, the desire for more and more followers and a great reputation is huge. An even more tempting offer to help with the number of followers through money and follower purchases.

The problem: You run the risk of losing your credibility on social media. Then it’s as simple as that: You get nothing out of it. In this article, we would like to create a general understanding of why fake followers are bad, how to recognize them, how to remove them, and, above all, how to avoid them – because, unfortunately, no one is safe from them. Moreover, we’d like to clearly make the recommendation to never buy any fake followers. 

What are fake followers anyway?

Fake followers are artificially created profiles that can look like normal profiles, but which do not represent a real person. Fake followers are not necessarily but often so-called “bots” that show no real reactions and therefore do not interact with any content. This virtually non-existent interaction can significantly reduce a person’s market value.

 

 

When appearances are deceptive

Fake Followers. When appearances are deceptive

The first impression of a profile on social media may not always be what it claims to be. A high number of followers does not necessarily mean that you are a successful influencer. Fake followers deceive appearances and give a false picture of how “real” someone actually appears on social media or within their community. Basically, these influencers adorn themselves with numbers and profiles that don’t actually exist. Anyone can buy followers, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll automatically be successful on social media or in influencer marketing. Especially with the further development and the current situation in the creator’s business, the number of followers is no longer the decisive KPI for success, but above all the engagement and reach, along with credibility, connection to the community, and authenticity.

“Buying followers can be a booster, especially for the beginning, in order to push oneself or one’s own brand further” – a claim often made. However, one should always keep in mind that these fake profiles will hardly ever like or comment on posts and therefore there is no real engagement. It won’t take long for the community and potential brand partners to get behind the fake followers. This is a bad start for diving into the world of being an influencer. And the price you pay is high. Instagram, for example, recognizes more and more profiles with a high number of fake followers and automatically deletes them as soon as fake activities are detected. Not only do you risk having your account deleted, but you also risk becoming a victim of spamming and phishing attacks.

You should also be aware that you will be missing out on important and valuable feedback from an honest community. How are you supposed to know if what you share is well received, pleases your followers, and delivers added value if a large number of fake profiles are behind your account?

How do I recognize fake followers?

Luckily, it’s not too difficult to spot fake followers right away. Here are some things you can look out for:

 

  • No profile picture
  • No or very few followers
  • Follows many profiles 
  • No or very few posts
  • Spam-like or cryptic usernames
  • Low interaction rate
  • #FollowerForFollower

 

If you notice a sudden increase in your number of followers, you may have become a “victim” of a fake following attack. This means that someone else has bought followers for you. Yes, that’s right – even random other accounts can buy followers and thus influence or even ruin you or your business. According to our Google research, we found that fake followers can already be bought at very low prices. Currently, 1,000 followers cost around 13 dollars. So unfortunately, this is not a big obstacle for people who want to harm an account.

 

A creator’s case study

Swiss content creator Margaux Seydoux was the victim of just such a fake following attack. She tells us: “One morning, I woke up and suddenly saw 5,000 new followers on my Instagram profile with the description ‘new’. From then on, I immediately realized that these must be fake followers. Someone was buying me followers to harm my account.” Margaux then reached out to us and set her account to private for quite a while. She also explains: “I waited a few days and even changed my username so that no new followers could be added. I had to manually delete one fake profile after another. That took forever.”

Fake Followers. A creator’s case study.

Kingfluencers case

Unfortunately, we as an agency were not spared from a fake following attack either. At the beginning of July, almost at the same time as influencer Margaux Seydoux, our Instagram account suddenly had over 10,000 new followers overnight. This was the first time we had to deal with such a fake following attack internally.

Like Margaux, we set our account to private to avoid getting even more fake followers, because we knew it wouldn’t be easy to get rid of them. After internal consultation and intensive research, our solution quickly became clear: from now on, fake followers have to be deleted manually every now and then, time permitting. So we created a guideline internally on how to recognize fake followers and based on this, they were then manually identified, blocked, unblocked, and removed.

As of today, we are almost back to the follower base of that time – thanks to the internal help of the Kingfluencers team.

Statement from Meta

Being faced with the problem of fake followers all over again, we contacted Meta and asked for a statement from their side. Daniel Kramer from Meta explains:

“We get the question about fake followers every day. Unfortunately, these cannot be prevented from the outset and experience shows that this comes with increasing success. In the meantime, however, there are well-functioning systems that can recognize these profiles. The fake profiles are then deactivated within a few days. It is also possible to deactivate individual countries if one notices that many followers seem to come from certain countries. Besides manual deletion, there is, unfortunately, no automated process yet”, says Daniel.

Statement from Meta

So how do I get rid of fake followers?

The question remains: What can I do if I have become a victim of such a fake following attack? The safest and probably most time-consuming method is to manually check your account. You can remove all followers who have a spam-like username or who have no interactions. Fake accounts must first be blocked and then unblocked and finally deleted. It is important to remember that your own Instagram account should not have hundreds of blocked followers – hence the renewed “unblocking” after blocking the fake profiles. But beware: this process will take you a lot of time. Especially if the number of fake followers is in the hundreds or even thousands range.

Another hybrid method would be to use a tool or app that can easily filter out your fake followers. The problem is that these apps are not 100% secure with regard to privacy reasons. The advantage of this method, however, is that the apps can create a list that you can then manually go through yourself, making it easier to identify and delete your fake followers.

Here we have compiled a list of good and not-so-good tools:

Combin is free for a registered account and lists the followers classified as fake followers by name.

Nindo shows you graphically how many fake followers your account has, but does not list the fake accounts. Nindo is also subject to a fee and you need a minimum number of followers to be able to use the tool.

Doesn’t have any filters for fake followers, but is merely a platform for generating reach through bots.

An app with bad reviews. In our opinion, not to be recommended.

Does not show fake followers, but only followers who do not follow an account back. Also an app with bad reviews and, in our opinion, not recommended.

Tips to avoid fake followers

As already mentioned, fake followers are bots. They usually follow an account by using the most popular hashtags to search for an account. We, therefore, recommend: Avoid using these hashtags. The following link shows you the most popular hashtags that bots could use. Among them are hashtags like #popular #instagram #trending #follow #like #instagood #explorepage #likeforlikes #followforfollowback #instadaily #famous #photooftheday #followme.

Unfortunately, you can’t completely avoid fake followers. With increasing success, the probability of being confronted with the problem of “fake following” is simply higher.

Kingfluencers recommends:

Kingfluencers recommends

Keep it real! Remember – people want authenticity. Real people, real profiles. You cannot achieve success by adorning yourself with the wrong numbers.

Therefore: Present yourself as you really are. Stand by your followers. If an attack of fake following should happen to you, don’t hide it, deal with it transparently and share it with your customers and your community.

Build your community naturally. Regular, qualitative, and authentic content will help with this. Don’t ignore your community. Get feedback, respond to requests and criticisms, and interact with your followers. This will not only increase your engagement rate, but also the likelihood that even more people will see your posts.

If you need help building a community, increasing your reach with organic content, or you’re just not sure whether you’ve become a “victim” of a fake following purchase, feel free to contact us. We can help you with community management, social media content, all things TikTok, Instagram, and Co., or general questions about digital influence.

Author: Tijana Simic, Marketing Support @Kingfluencers

The Impacts of TikTok’s Global Presence

As TikTok is driving a new wave of entertainment, is the platform reflecting culture or creating it? Or both? The worldwide ubiquity of TikTok has myriad impacts, including fascinating and unexpected benefits to society.

Here are a few insights into the Swiss audience

  • 1.7M monthly active users
  • 5.2M monthly creations
  • 8.7B monthly video views
  • 70 minutes spent daily
  • 16 daily open times

There’s No Denying the Significance of TikTok

Overall, TikTok has been downloaded more than 3.5 billion times. It is the first non-Meta app (and the fifth app of all time) to surpass 3 billion downloads. In 2021, the platform remained the most-download app globally, with 656 million downloads. The second-place app, Instagram, is rather far behind with 545 million downloads, making TikTok downloads more than 20% higher than Instagram. In the first fourt months of 2022, TikTok was downloaded more than 175 million times. TikTok is available in over 154 countries and has over 1 billion monthly active users, who spend an average of 52 minutes per day in the platform.

TikTok’s Global Presence. There’s No Denying the Significance of TikTok

TikTok is Conquering the World

TikTok trends proliferate worldwide – and quickly.

Globally, TikTokers are united in their enjoyment of these new trends, driving a sort of global unity. Are people worldwide benefitting from this connection? 

TikTok takes credit for the impact the platform makes globally. “Beyond music, our platform and community impacts culture and generates trends that start on TikTok and permeate everywhere.” On 5 December 2021, The New York Times echoed this sentiment, referring to the platform as, “2021’s central vehicle for youth culture and online culture generally.”

But more recently, on 3 June, 2022, The New York Times published, “a lot of stuff posted on the platform is so goofy and weird that searching for meaning in it can feel downright idiotic.” To declare the platform as both goofy and idiotic, while also serving as a central vehicle for youth culture doesn’t bode well for the future. The scope of opinion on the platform is clearly broad, and there’s also no shortage of controversy surrounding it.

TikTok’s Global Presence. TikTok is Conquering the World

Trends – Conformity + Originality

Trends typically refer to changes towards a prevailing tendency. What’s “trendy,” is popular and becomes widespread. More people adopt the latest trend, from low to high rise jeans, verbal expressions, or types of social media posts.

Many creative influencers put their own unique spins on the latest trends. The trend merely serves as an inspirational jumping-off point. As Hootsuite writes, “Users putting their own spin on trends is the best part — and they often get rewarded (by the algorithm) for breaking conventions.” From moving moments, to experiences up to comedy and recipes, TikTok sets constantly emerging trends in various directions. Currently, the song by Lana Del Ray – young and beautiful is a trend, to which people on TikTok share fulfilling and beautiful moments with their community, whether it’s experiences from trips, vacation days at the beach, or good times with their loved ones. But also yummy recipes have made it into the trends, currently a recipe with pasta, butter, lemon and parmesan in particular is also going viral. But next to TikTok’s originality, it’s the inspirational side we do really like the most about TikTok, don’t we? It’s so much more than a trend machine, but really offers deep, meaningful, touching and emotional (in a good way) content.

TikTok’s All-Knowing Algorithm

TikTok’s All-Knowing Algorithm

It’s important for social media platforms to have an appealing interface and deliver an excellent user experience. A critical mass of users and content creators are also vital to keep users coming back.

But the algorithm is a massive source of differentiation.

For good or bad [or both] algorithms are powerful tools that drive the impact of a platform and shape users’ experiences. TikTok is no exception. Arguably, TikTok does a better job of this than all other platforms, as evidenced by its popularity.This all-knowing algorithm has also led to some interesting outcomes, including one social media manager who wrote, The TikTok Algorithm Knew My Sexuality Better Than I Did. Smart brands are able to harness this power and leverage the platform to connect with their audiences.

The Vital Role of Creators

TikTok has been strategic in recruiting and compensating content creators, knowing that they’re key to the success of any platform. In July 2020, TikTok launched a $1 Billion Creator Fund, through which “creators will be able to realize additional earnings that help reward the care and dedication they put into creatively connecting with an audience that’s inspired by their ideas.”

TikTok has grown to be an authority on what’s hot. From songs and artists to fashion and products, the platform serves as a popularity stress test. And rewarding the creator community with creator funds is another way in which other platforms have followed TikTok’s lead, including YouTube Shorts, Meta, Snapchat, Twitter Spaces, and Pinterest.

The Vital Role of Creators

70% of TikTok users say they feel like they’re part of a community. Beyond posting videos, creators can build and enhance community atmosphere by engaging with their audiences through tools like Stitch, Duet, Reply, and comments. Among our list of “Swiss Influencers & Content Creators to Keep an Eye On” is TikToker Julie Riess, who posts “Get Ready With Me” videos and shares with followers her decision-making process putting together outfits.TikTok promotes a variety of positive, uplifting activities. TikTok offers extensive support to content creators- even those creators who author content that’s consumed outside of the platform. Most recently, TikTok has partnered with Barnes & Noble and their creator community to launch the #BookTokChallenge, which encourages people to read new books and authors and then share their reactions.

How TikTok is Changing Marketing & The Value for Brands 

As we wrote in, “Influencer Marketing vs. Legacy Advertising,” traditional ads are a deviation from the content audiences want to consume, whereas influencer marketing fuses ads into the desired content. Recognizing this, TikTok has long advised, “Don’t make ads, make TikToks.” 

Many brands have been following this sage advice and achieving excellent results. Kantar’s Media Reactions Report ranked TikTok #1 for ad equity. “Ad equity measures the audience’s attitude and preference towards ads across media channels and premium media brands. In other words, TikTok’s branded solutions aren’t perceived as just ‘ads’ by audiences. In fact, TikTok tops the list for delivering branded content that actually resonates with online consumers.”

How TikTok is Changing Marketing & The Value for Brands 

According to Kantar, “TikTok ad formats have the highest positive sentiment among consumers. This means that users are more receptive to TikTok ads than other media platforms.” “Of the 13 major digital platforms that Kantar compared, TikTok is credited for offering the least intrusive and most innovative ad formats.”

According to a TikTok-commissioned study conducted by Kantar, 72% of those surveyed agree that ads on TikTok are perceived as inspiring. “With innovative ad formats such as the Branded Hashtag Challenge, brands on TikTok now have the tools to become part of culture, enabling their audiences to create trends based on branded sounds, actions, effects or brand-related storylines that can travel freely across the TikTok community and beyond.” 

Kingfluencers TikTok services help brands harness this value with our unique holistic approach combining social media services, influencer marketing, and performance marketing.

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Author: Megan Bozman, Owner @Boz Content Marketing