Influencer Marketing: Basics and its significance in Startup Initiatives

On 14.05.2024 a Session on " Influencer Marketing: Basics and its significance in Startup Initiatives " was organized by the Entrepreneurship Development Cell and IIC in association with the Department of Information Technology. The session was handled by Mr. Jey Siddharth, III-CSE CEO of Heleyon Technologies, Student Startup Founder, Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli from 2.00 PM-4.00 PM. 60 students and 2 faculties participated in the program. This event was coordinated by Mr. F. Richard Singh Samuel AP/IT. This event was conducted with the guidance of Dr. Lourdes Poobala Rayen, EDC Director.

The program started with the welcome address by Mr. F. Richard Singh Samuel AP/IT, Francis Xavier Engineering College. In today's digital age, influencer marketing has emerged as a cornerstone of effective marketing strategies, especially for startups looking to establish their presence in competitive markets. Mr. Jey Siddharth, the startup founder and product innovator, sheds light on the fundamentals of influencer marketing and underscores its vital role in startup success. He said, “Influencer marketing is not just about broad reach but also about authenticity”. Influencers who genuinely believe in the product can deliver more convincing and trustworthy endorsements. Setting clear goals is crucial, whether it's increasing brand awareness, driving sales, or growing a social media following. Success can be measured using metrics like engagement rates, click-through rates, and return on investment (ROI). Successful examples of influencer marketing include beauty brand Glossier, which leveraged influencers to grow from a blog to a billion-dollar company, and Daniel Wellington, a watch brand that saw significant sales growth through Instagram influencer partnerships. Guest speaker said that, Influencer marketing is a powerful tool for startups, enabling them to build brand awareness, credibility, and customer engagement cost-effectively. Students interacted with the guest speaker and gathered more information about the concept.