Virtual Influencers vs Real Influencers: The Pros and Cons of Using Virtual Influencers in Your Marketing Strategy

In today’s world, influencer marketing is a big deal. Brands work with influencers to help tell their story and reach more people. But now, there’s a new type of influencer called a virtual influencer. They’re not real people – they are made using computers! Virtual influencers are popular on social media, just like real influencers. But how do they compare? Let’s explore the pros and cons of using virtual influencers in your marketing strategy and see if they are better or not.

What Are Virtual Influencers and Real Influencers?

• Real Influencers are real people who create videos, pictures, and posts to share with their followers. They are experts in different topics like fashion, food, travel, and more. You might have seen them on Instagram, YouTube, or other social media networks.
• Virtual Influencers are not real people. They are made using computer graphics. They look like real humans, but they only exist on the internet. These digital influencers can have their style, personality, and even backstories!

How Influencer Marketing Works

Influencer marketing is when brands work with influencers to promote their products. It’s like having a friend tell you about something cool. Influencers share the brand’s products with their followers through digital content like videos, pictures, or even memes. This helps the brand reach more people and makes them more popular.

Brands use influencer marketing for brand building and to increase their sales. They might hire an influencer marketing agency in countries like India, the US, the UK, France, or the Philippines to find the best influencers for their campaigns.

Now, let’s dive into the advantages and disadvantages of virtual and real influencers.

Pros of Using Virtual Influencers

1. Always Available: Virtual influencers never get tired. They don’t need to sleep, eat, or take breaks. This means they can create content anytime and anywhere! This makes it easy for brands to plan campaigns with them.
2. Full Control: Brands have complete control over virtual influencers. They can decide how they look, what they wear, and even what they say. This helps keep the brand’s message clear and strong.
3. Creative Possibilities: Since virtual influencers are computer-generated, they can do anything! They can fly, dance on the moon, or even change their hair color in seconds. This makes the content more fun and exciting.
4. No Scandals: Real influencers might sometimes make mistakes or get into trouble. But with virtual influencers, there’s no risk of scandals or bad behavior. This keeps the brand safe and trusted.
5. Cost-Effective in the Long Run: Virtual influencers may cost money to create, but they can be used over and over again without extra payments. This means brands can earn money over time.

Cons of Using Virtual Influencers

1. Lack of Real Connection: Virtual influencers are not real people, so they can’t connect with their audience the same way. Followers might find it hard to trust a computer-made character. This affects the brand authenticity that real influencers bring.
2. Limited Emotions: Real influencers can show real emotions and feelings, but virtual influencers can only show what’s been programmed. This makes it harder for people to feel connected or inspired.
3. Expensive to Create: Making a virtual influencer can be costly. Brands need to pay for designers, computer experts, and other tools to create and manage them.
4. Not Suitable for All Products: Some products need a real person to explain or show how they work. Virtual influencers may not be the best choice for these types of products.

Pros of Using Real Influencers

1. Real Connections: Real influencers can share their true feelings and experiences. This helps them build a strong relationship with their followers. Followers trust them and believe their recommendations. This is called brand authenticity.
2. Flexibility: Real influencers can create content in many different ways. They can share YouTube videos, and Instagram posts, and even make meme marketing posts. This makes the content more exciting and real.
3. Experience and Expertise: Many real influencers are experts in their field. They can share valuable tips, tricks, and ideas with their audience. For example, a beauty influencer can give makeup tips, and a food influencer can share yummy recipes.
4. Easier Collaboration: Working with real influencers is simple. Brands can easily collaborate with them, discuss ideas, and plan campaigns together. This helps create interesting and engaging content.

Cons of Using Real Influencers

1. Unpredictable Behavior: Real influencers are humans, and they might make mistakes. They could be involved in scandals or controversies, which could hurt the brand’s image.
2. Costly: Some real influencers charge a lot of money for promotions, especially if they have many followers. This might not fit into the influencer marketing budget for some brands.
3. Limited Time: Real influencers have busy lives. They might not always be available to create content when the brand needs it. This can delay campaigns.

How Brands Can Use Virtual and Real Influencers Together

Many brands are now using both virtual and real influencers in their marketing strategies. This way, they get the best of both worlds! They can enjoy the creativity and control of virtual influencers while also benefiting from the real connections that real influencers offer.

For example, Hobo.Video, an influencer marketing platform, helps brands connect with both real and virtual influencers. This allows brands to create fun and exciting campaigns while reaching more people.

How to Start Influencer Marketing Campaigns

If you want to start an influencer marketing campaign, here are some simple steps:

1. Research: Find out which influencers match your brand. Look for a list of micro-influencers in India or contact the best influencer marketing agency in India to help you.
2. Collaboration: Reach out to influencers and plan how you’ll work together. Remember to be clear about your brand message.
3. Content Creation: Work with the influencer to create interesting content. It could be videos, memes, or even blog posts. Make sure it’s engaging and easy to understand.
4. Use Hashtags: Don’t forget to use popular hashtags. This makes it easier for people to find your posts and content.
5. Monitor and Manage: Keep track of your campaign using influencer marketing management tools. This helps you see what’s working and what’s not.

How to Become a Real Influencer

Do you want to be a real influencer? Here are some tips to get started:

1. Create Quality Content: Share videos, pictures, or posts about your favorite products or hobbies. Make sure they’re fun and interesting!
2. Engage with Your Audience: Talk to your followers and reply to their comments. This helps you build a strong connection.
3. Join Influencer Programs: Many brands, like Amazon, have influencer programs. You can join them to start working with brands and earn money.

Which Influencer Type Is Best for Your Marketing Strategy?

Choosing between virtual and real influencers depends on your brand’s goals. If you want to reach many people with creative and fun content, virtual influencers might be a great choice. But if you want to build trust and a real connection with your audience, real influencers are the way to go.

Some brands even use both types to make their campaigns stronger. It’s all about finding the right balance and using the advantages of each influencer type.

Conclusion: The Future of Influencer Marketing

Virtual influencers are new and exciting, while real influencers have been around for a long time. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but they’re both amazing at helping brands grow. As more brands explore influencer marketing strategies, we might see even more creative campaigns that use both virtual and real influencers.

By understanding the pros and cons of each, you can create a successful marketing strategy that reaches more people, builds trust, and makes your brand stand out. So, whether you’re a brand looking for the perfect influencer or a person who wants to become one, there’s a whole world of opportunities waiting for you!