How Indian WhatsApp Influencers Find Brand Deals in Germany
In the last two years, WhatsApp influencer marketing has evolved into a phenomenon in India. The rise of WhatsApp influencers is driven by the platform’s popularity, easy accessibility, and the ability to reach out to a large number of people simultaneously.
According to a survey by the KPMG, WhatsApp is the preferred platform for social media interactions in India, with 77% of respondents using it regularly.
This success has led influencers to begin securing brand deals through WhatsApp groups, and now some are taking their talents abroad.
In fact, Indian influencers are now traveling internationally for these WhatsApp influencer brand deals, and Germany is fast becoming a popular destination.
🏙️ WhatsApp Influencers in Germany
Although WhatsApp influencer marketing has become a goldmine back home, German brands are now actively courting Indian influencers to help them secure a foothold in the Indian market.
Eager to secure their services, these brands are hosting Indian influencers in Germany and showering them with extravagant gifts as a way to entice them to work with their brands.
A recent report by the Times of India indicates that this trend has grown exponentially in Germany and that German brands are now pouring millions of rupees into these campaigns.
The report also suggests that this trend is likely to grow in the coming years as more brands recognize the effectiveness of WhatsApp influencers in penetrating the Indian market.
💸 Cashing In on WhatsApp Influencing
In a recent interview with the Times of India, WhatsApp influencer and industry insider Manish Singh shared his experience of working with a German influencer marketing agency that focuses solely on WhatsApp influencers.
According to Singh, WhatsApp influencers based in India can earn anywhere from €2,000 to €15,000 for a single campaign in Germany.
Singh explained that the fees depend on the influencer’s market value and the extent of the campaign, with larger campaigns commanding a higher fee.
Typically, these campaigns comprise product placement posts on WhatsApp groups and, in some cases, promotional posts on their social media profiles.
German brands are also covering the travel costs of these influencers, including flights and accommodation, as well as providing them with extravagant gifts like luxury watches, handbags, and expensive perfumes.
Singh’s agency reportedly received over 100 requests from German brands in December 2023 alone.
❗ Why German Brands Prefer Indian WhatsApp Influencers?
The growing popularity of Indian WhatsApp influencers in Germany can be attributed to the fact that a large portion of the Indian diaspora resides in Germany.
According to the German Federal Statistical Office, approximately 178,000 Indians were living in Germany as of January 2023, making them one of the largest immigrant groups in the country.
This has led to an increase in demand for Indian products and services, particularly in the areas of food, fashion, and culture.
As a result, German brands are recognizing that reaching out to Indian WhatsApp influencers can be an effective way to tap into this growing market.
Indian WhatsApp influencers boast millions of followers, with some having over 15 million followers across their channels.
This allows them to reach more people than traditional social media influencers, thereby maximizing their marketing impact.
📲 WhatsApp Influencer Marketing Agencies in India
As is typical of any burgeoning industry, WhatsApp influencer marketing agencies have sprung up across India.
These agencies connect brands with WhatsApp influencers and handle the logistics of their campaigns, particularly those that involve travel.
LimeLight, which is one of the leading WhatsApp influencer marketing agencies in India, reported that they completed over 1,200 campaigns with Indian WhatsApp influencers for German brands in 2023, which represents a 200% growth from the previous year.
The agency specializes in WhatsApp influencer marketing and was among the first agencies to do so in the Indian market.
According to Ashish Choudhary, the CEO of LimeLight, one of the reasons for this growth is that people often ignore promotional messages on their social media feeds.
However, they usually pay attention to WhatsApp messages since the platform is more personal.
“Unlike others, WhatsApp influencer marketing helps deliver the brand’s message directly to the audience rather than just reaching them. That’s why they are gaining traction among marketers in Germany,” Choudhary told the Times of India.
💼 How to Become a WhatsApp Influencer in India
To become a WhatsApp influencer in India, you need to first establish yourself as an influencer on other social media platforms, particularly Instagram and YouTube.
Once you have a sizable following, you can join WhatsApp influencer marketing agencies, where they will connect you with brands looking for WhatsApp influencers.
Alternatively, you can create your own WhatsApp groups or channels and invite followers from your other social media platforms to join.
You can then market your services to brands directly or through the WhatsApp influencer marketing agencies mentioned above.
Given the lower entry barriers to becoming a WhatsApp influencer, it is likely that the landscape will become increasingly crowded in the coming years.
💡 How to Join WhatsApp Influencer Marketing Groups
WhatsApp influencer marketing agencies usually have WhatsApp groups for influencers to join.
Alternatively, you can join WhatsApp groups focused on WhatsApp influencer marketing.
To find these groups, simply search online using phrases like “WhatsApp influencer marketing groups,” “WhatsApp influencer groups,” “WhatsApp influencer marketing group links,” and “WhatsApp influencer marketing groups for brands.”
You can also search for hashtags like #WhatsAppInfluencerMarketingGroup and #WhatsAppInfluencer on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
Many influencers share their WhatsApp influencer marketing groups through these hashtags.
🤝 How to Get Brand Deals as a WhatsApp Influencer
Once you have established yourself as a WhatsApp influencer, you can begin securing brand deals.
Brands often prefer to work with WhatsApp influencers who have an established presence on other platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube.
To attract brands, consider the following pointers:
Join WhatsApp Influencer Marketing Agencies
- As mentioned earlier, WhatsApp influencer marketing agencies act as intermediaries between brands and influencers.
- By joining these agencies, you can increase your chances of securing brand deals.
Create a Strong Portfolio
- Create a portfolio showcasing your best work as an influencer.
- Include metrics demonstrating your reach and engagement with your audience.
Be Authentic
- Authenticity is key to being a successful influencer.
- Brands prefer to work with influencers who have a genuine connection with their audience.
- Avoid promoting products or services that do not align with your values or that you do not believe in.
Engage with Your Audience
- Building a relationship with your audience is essential for success as a WhatsApp influencer.
- Respond to messages and comments, and ask for feedback to create a loyal following.
Leverage Social Media
- Use other social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to promote your WhatsApp group and attract followers.
- Share exclusive content, behind-the-scenes footage, or personal stories to entice people to join your group.
Reach Out to Brands
- Contact brands directly and pitch your services as a WhatsApp influencer.
- Provide information about your audience demographics, engagement rates, and any past successful campaigns to demonstrate your value.
Network with Other Influencers
- Connect with other WhatsApp influencers and share tips, resources, and opportunities.
- Collaborating with other influencers can help you reach a larger audience and attract brands.
Stay Up-to-Date on Trends
- Stay informed about the latest trends in your niche and on WhatsApp.
- Adapt your content and strategies to stay relevant and in demand by brands.
By following these strategies, you can increase your chances of securing brand deals as a WhatsApp influencer.
🤷🏻♂️ Are WhatsApp Influencer Marketing Groups Real?
Yes, WhatsApp influencer marketing groups are real, with many influencers claiming to be part of them.
These groups usually comprise influencers looking to secure brand deals and those who manage brands.
Brands that join these groups can post their campaign requirements, including their budget and the type of influencer they are looking for.
Influencers can then respond to these posts if they are interested in the brand deal.
🛑 How to Spot Scams on WhatsApp Influencer Marketing Groups
Unfortunately, not all WhatsApp influencer marketing groups are legitimate.
There are many scammers who pose as representatives of brands or marketing agencies in these groups.
To protect yourself from these scams, look out for the following warning signs:
Claims of Instant Wealth
- One of the most common red flags of a scam is the promise of instant wealth.
- If a WhatsApp influencer marketing group claims that you can become rich overnight or in just a few days, it is likely a scam.
- Legitimate opportunities to earn money take time and effort.
Upfront Payments
- Another red flag is if the group requires you to pay a fee to join.
- While some WhatsApp influencer marketing groups may charge a small fee to cover administrative costs, most do not.
- If a group requests a large sum of money to join, it is probably a scam.
Unverified Brands
- Scammers often impersonate famous brands to dupe influencers into working for them.
- To verify the legitimacy of a brand, search for their official website and contact them directly.
Unclear Requirements
- Be cautious of WhatsApp influencer marketing groups that do not clearly outline their requirements for securing brand deals.
- Legitimate groups will provide specific information about the skills and qualifications they are looking for in influencers.
Poor Grammar and Spelling
- Scammers often use poor grammar and spelling in their messages.
- If you notice frequent typos or awkward sentence structures in a WhatsApp influencer marketing group, it may be a scam.
By being vigilant and looking out for these warning signs, you can protect yourself from scams in WhatsApp influencer marketing groups.
📚 Conclusion
While WhatsApp influencer marketing is still relatively new in India, it is gaining traction. Interestingly, German brands are leading the way, with many of them actively courting Indian influencers to help them secure a foothold in the Indian market.
By leveraging WhatsApp influencers, these brands have been able to quickly penetrate this lucrative market and achieve a high return on their investment.
As this trend continues to grow, we can expect to see more German brands investing heavily in WhatsApp influencer marketing in India.
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