Have you ever bought anything because an online 'influencer' posted about it?

robyntmorton · 29-07-2017 11:28AM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I might possibly have but I don't think so. I didn't think I knew any but then I googled and found I know 29 out of 100 on this list.

https://www.goss.ie/features/top-100-irish-influencers-75796

Unsurprisingly I know of, know, or am friends with quite a few on that list.

There's very few on it though that I would blindly trust to steer me right.

diomed · 29-07-2017 12:03PM

I haven't rented a hotel room since that Australian robot virago woman started dominating the airwaves.

Tom Mann Centuria · 29-07-2017 12:05PM

diomed wrote: »

I haven't rented a hotel room since that Australian robot virago woman started dominating the airwaves.

When you're looking for the best prize. Least that's what it sounds like she's saying to me.

...And Justice · 29-07-2017 12:12PM

I bought a galaxy S7 after I watched a lad sticking it into water for 16 hours and it still worked, he tried it in sea water as well but it was ruined by the salt corrosion in the usb port. I took it swimming on holidays in the hotel pool, did underwater shots loads of family pictures and it still works fine. No damage whatsoever.

dense · 29-07-2017 12:58PM

I'll buy whatever Barry Scott is selling.
He's so authoritative.

...And Justice · 29-07-2017 01:03PM

Flatheadpint wrote: »

No

But you bought a pint for a tenner.

bucketybuck · 29-07-2017 01:08PM

Influencers, bloggers, streamers, etc etc.

Cretins one and all, responsible for an army of lazy useless tossers who instead of actually doing some work now think they can just get money by going on the internet and talking about themselves.

I have zero respect for any of them, and even less than that for any of the deluded idiots who "follow" them. Nobody gives a **** about your 6 billion instagram pictures you vapid losers.

ScumLord · 29-07-2017 01:18PM

17% is actually a really high number when compared to any other form of advertising, especially when it's just a random section of people. Most other avenues like print and radio have hit rates more around 1-10%. Even people selling radio ads market their ads as "brand awareness" where the intention isn't to get people calling every time the ad plays but to put the brand name into people's heads so they're aware of the brand. Then they run a "call to action" with an offer to get people to contact the company, the brand awareness is just to prime people for that call to action.

Influencers are probably considered brand awareness, to get people aware of the product and talking about it. If they're pulling in numbers like 17% and all it costs the company is a free sample then it's a no brainer for any company.

I'd guess an influencer becomes really effective when combined with print, radio and TV and many people may not credit the influencer with their purchase, they may think the first ad they saw in a paper was more significant in their decision to buy but the youtuber probably played a part in influencing that decision.

So 17% means influencers work and work really, really well.

retro:electro · 29-07-2017 01:26PM

I wouldn't say I've ever bought something just because a particular influencer has it or has reccomended it, but the odd time something has been brought to my attention that I know I'd like and find useful as a result of online influence.

whoopsadoodles · 29-07-2017 01:45PM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I might possibly have but I don't think so. I didn't think I knew any but then I googled and found I know 29 out of 100 on this list.

https://www.goss.ie/features/top-100-irish-influencers-75796

I knew a few on that list as well. Wouldn't have known they were "influencers". Such bollox.

Used to follow Pat Divilly and Rob Lipsett but they both gave me a pain in my face. Actively avoid anything Marissa Carter puts her name too. Do love that girl Indy something something and use her website a lot for recipes (www.thelittlegreenspoon.com). If I was to buy something, it would be most likely be food/fitness related. Beauty/fashion.....nope.

r93kaey5p2izun · 29-07-2017 02:05PM

No. I only heard the term around a week ago on here. From the list linked I know a good few - mostly the ones that are on TV like Vogue Williams and Amy Huberman. I know of some of the blog people purely through the complaints about them on boards. I looked them up to see how bad they could really be and was generally a little shocked at how truly awful they are. These are supposedly beauty and fashion bloggers but they post very little real content, mostly just photoshopped selfies and whinges about the pressure to look good. Maybe the less well known ones are better and that's why they're not being criticised on here, I don't know.

I don't see the appeal in looking at someone's artificial portrayal of their contrived "life".I don't get why they're so popular. I can't see myself following any bloggers. I'm not into makeup, food, fitness or babies and that seems to be the main areas covered.

Here we go · 29-07-2017 02:10PM

I think Irish people are just genrealy just more untrusting not in a bad way but when an infuencer says buy x it's great we look at it for what it is a paid advertisement

stilllooking · 29-07-2017 03:02PM

Yes. If I see a product I like online, on TV or whatever I'll get it. Also helps that bloggers etc normally do a discount code. I'm not really understanding the hate of this particular type of advertising, is it because it's new?

Chancer3001 · 29-07-2017 03:59PM

Generally if it's an obvious ad I'll never ever buy it

The Backwards Man · 29-07-2017 04:02PM

Apparently Tennent's has never been more popular.

kerwein · 29-07-2017 04:08PM

I think one of the famous marketing strategy nowadays by the companies or sellers is by using famous personalities to influence the decisions of other. I can say that an influencer played a big role in my purchasing decisions.

Here we go · 29-07-2017 06:05PM

stilllooking wrote: »

Yes. If I see a product I like online, on TV or whatever I'll get it. Also helps that bloggers etc normally do a discount code. I'm not really understanding the hate of this particular type of advertising, is it because it's new?

I think the hate as you say is the way it's presented most times they try to pass it off as honest opinion. Oh I found this new brand and used it and I think it's great you should buy it. When its a paid add the person is being paid to get you to buy something.

freshpopcorn · 29-07-2017 07:24PM

Our local Tesco has a Facebook page and they put up offers. Would this be considered an influencer?

29-07-2017 07:48PM

dense wrote: »

I'll buy whatever Barry Scott is selling.
He's so authoritative.

You only have to ask my father to wipe something up and he'll start shouting his best Barry Scott impression. He's very easily influenced.

I know snapchatters and YouTubers who plug goods and not declare their vested interests, in which case they're just advertisers rather than influencers.

There was a movie a few years ago about a family who move to a new neighbourhood and put their goods and lifestyle on display to the neighbours, those they socialized with, and fellow students. Can't remember the name of it but the upshot is that they were all salespeople working on selling luxury brands. Maybe it's not so much a fiction but a possible reality that's closer than we think.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 29-07-2017 08:07PM

Mm - not solely because they've talked about it but if it looks interesting and like something I'd be into, I'd look into it myself so yes they've opened my eyes to products but wouldn't be the deciding factor of me purchasing. I've been gifted some items/treatments from some brands and there's almost like a "no pressure just see what you think of it" agreement.

fepper · 29-07-2017 08:13PM

On amazon if the item I'm interested in has lots of 5 star recommendations for it,I usually buy it there and then,lots of4 and 3 stars,I'd give it a miss,so I'm influenced for sure,but sometimes the item is crap with all its recommendations

30-07-2017 12:03AM

Candie wrote: »

You only have to ask my father to wipe something up and he'll start shouting his best Barry Scott impression. He's very easily influenced.

I know snapchatters and YouTubers who plug goods and not declare their vested interests, in which case they're just advertisers rather than influencers.

There was a movie a few years ago about a family who move to a new neighbourhood and put their goods and lifestyle on display to the neighbours, those they socialized with, and fellow students. Can't remember the name of it but the upshot is that they were all salespeople working on selling luxury brands. Maybe it's not so much a fiction but a possible reality that's closer than we think.

The Joneses

Widdershins · 30-07-2017 04:56AM

Kind of. Bloggers would sway me in favour of buying a product if they gave a good review of it, but only if it was something I'd been thinking about buying anyway. Sometimes I want to buy things I read about but don't because I don't need them. Sometimes I buy things I've seen bloggers rave about because even though I don't need them, I really like them.

Brendan Flowers · 30-07-2017 08:00AM

I think the fact that the poll only has 14% saying YES shows just how good some influencers are at their job. Many of you have probably bought something due to an influencer and just didnt realise it. There's nothing wrong with that, It's an extremely effective form of marketing.

mrsdewinter · 30-07-2017 10:35AM

I sure have. Low-stakes stuff like cheap make-up touted by online influencers I identify with. Luckily, as someone in their 40s who bought their tiny apartment during the boom, I'm in that shagged-out, stony broke demographic so Big Marketing largely don't bother with me. It's a fascinating topic, though.

Have you ever bought anything because an online 'influencer' posted about it?

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