Are you exerting your influence?

Like most marketers, I love a good graph and look forward to Marketing Sherpa's B2B marketing chart of the week (yes, I am that cool).

This week's chart highlighted the fact that only a third of respondents are using blogger and influencer relations as a tactic in their social media marketing. Why people, why?

Well, I know why. It isn't easy. It takes effort, tact, decorum and there's no guaranteed ROI on your courting of these rare and beautiful creatures.

However when you talk about your product and service online, you are at best self promoting and most likely boring and interrupting to the conversations happening on the platform of choice.

When your industry guru recommends using your product/service to the masses, you've hit the jackpot because they're going to get listened to. You, as Marketing Manager of Company X are not.

We have to spend more time on this guys, this is the new PR and for those prepared to go the extra mile, the benefits may get you somewhere money can't.