10 Successful Influencer Marketers

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Why did you buy the phone you are using? Why did you see that movie at the cinema (or on Netflix)? When you question more of your recent decisions, it will surprise you to know how much of them are influenced by influencer marketers.

That’s how powerful influencer marketing is, and every business, including SMEs, can take advantage of it.

Who are Influencer Marketers?

You know who a marketer is, so who is an influencer? And then who is an influencer marketer?

You guessed right – an influencer is one with influence within a particular niche. In other words, someone who is famous and whose opinions are respected as far as a niche is concerned.

With that established, an influencer marketer is, therefore, one who uses their influence to promote products and services subtly.

Types of influencer marketers

Celebrity / Tier 1 Influencers

You come across famous faces on every social media platform these days. From the know musicians down to popular actors and actresses, they all use social media to connect with their fans. And that’s a good thing for business owners who need to advertise.

At a time, this was the only known form of influencer marketing. Those days when the only people known to have influence are celebrities.

While things may have changed a little these days, celebrities are still quite important in influencer marketing, and in fact, they are.

Most times though, using celebrities for influencer marketing can be likened to seeing a flock of birds flying and randomly shooting in the air, hoping one of them will get caught. No target, just hope (and Insha Allah). Because there are so many birds, there is a possibility one of them will actually get caught.

What this means is that celebrities often have massive followership on social media. With that, there is a guarantee that the products they promote will be exposed to many people. But the question is, how many of the followers would be interested in that type of product?

But considering how influential celebrities can be on their fans, some of them won’t be going out of their way to patronize the products they promote. For instance, when Wizkid was announced as a brand ambassador for Tecno, some iPhone users promised to switch to android (Tecno) just because of Wizkid.

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This probably explains why Nigerian celebrities are daily cashing out from all influencer marketing deals, including brand endorsements.

Macro / Tier 2 Influencers

The celebrities in tier one became celebrities through their work and content in the mainstream media. On the other hand, the guys here are celebrities, and they attained that status using the internet.

They range from skit makers, podcast creators, vloggers and other online content makers. You probably have names in your head already – yes, them.

Compared to celebrities, these guys have lesser followership on social media but a more defined niche. Think of celebrities as the federal government of influencer marketing and macro-influencers as the state government. In other words, macro-influencers are closer to the people.

They are the next target of businesses and brands who cannot afford celebrities and have a relatively more defined audience.

They are more present on Instagram than any other social media platform.

Micro / Tier 3 Influencers

When we say influencer marketers, these guys are the first to come to mind of an average social media user (especially Twitter).

They literally live on social media because that’s the only way to explain how they react to every trending topic. Of course, it’s a strategy to stay relevant and visible.

Most of them try to carve a niche for themselves and constantly dish out contents that have to do with that niche.

They work with different local and international brands to promote their products and services on social media. 

Another thing they try to do in trending hashtags. Mostly using the “giveaway strategy”, they keep a keyword or hashtag trending on Twitter by getting people to use it in exchange for some rewards. I personally have a problem with this strategy sometimes, but that’s a discussion for another day.

Since this article’s focus is influencer marketers for SMEs, the list comprises mostly of influencers in this category.

Nano / Tier 4 Influencers

An average person would probably not see them as influencers, but these guys have some level of influence, too, and more brands are beginning to realize that. Due to ambition, though, many tend not to last too long here before moving to become micro-influencers.

Nano influencers don’t necessarily have niches with followers often less than 5k. 

Most people are beginning to see the influencers in the other categories as who they truly are – disguising marketers. This may affect results as the trust level is not as high as it used to be. But that’s one thing Nano influencers have going for them – trust. Their small group of followers trust them and believe whatever they say because they come across as just regular social media users.

10 Successful Influencer Marketers SMEs Can Ride-on in Nigeria

Aproko Doctor

Nonso Igemba, known widely as Aproko Doctor, is an influencer marketer of repute.

He is a medical doctor who saves lives at the hospital and even on social media with his various health tips. Many social media users have credited their new lifestyle to him.

In an interview with Guardian Life, he shared a “testimony” of how his content saved the life of a young girl who was choking. “…she had swallowed her sister’s earring and would have choked to death if her mother had not come across a thread I made on what to do if you have a child who is choking. She followed the instructions and saved her baby’s life, there have been numerous other cases.”

Seeing the success he has recorded with written tips and nuggets, Aproko Doctor recently started creating video contents which are also recording massive success. In his videos, he usually plays the character of a tech-savvy native medical doctor. You may have to see one of the videos to understand.

Over the years, Nonso has used his content to grow massive popularity and followership on social media, especially Twitter, where he currently has over 927k followers.

There is no doubting his influence in this niche as he is currently the number one voice on Twitter Nigeria as far as healthy living is concerned. This perfectly positions him as a goto person for anyone who may want to promote a product or services in that industry.

Aproko Doctor’s contact details

• Email address: business@blackbamboonigeria.com
• Phone number: +234 800 000 0000
• Twitter: @aproko_doctor

Mazi Ibe

Mazi Ibe is another big name on Twitter. In 2019, Lotto9ja unveiled him as their brand ambassador along with Zlatan Ibile and Alex Ekubo.

While he can help promote SMEs, he has also worked with some of the biggest brands out there, including Union bank, Airtel, Nairabet, Dstv, Bolt, etc.

His niches cut across entertainment, sports and lifestyle, so you know who to link up with if your audience or target is in any of those categories.

With massive 319k+ followers on Twitter with his social media marketing skills at his disposal, he is definitely not one to overlook when it comes to influencer marketing.

Mazi Ibe’s contact details

• Email address: ipissmedia@gmail.com or info@ipissmedia.com.ng
• Phone number: 07031299632
• Twitter: @MaziIbe_

Pamilerin

Also known as Omo Iya Ologi, Pamilerin Adegoke is arguably the most known non-celebrity person on Twitter. He is popular like that.

His former verified Twitter account was suspended at a time along with its thousands of followers. He went on to open another account, and today he has over 462k followers.

Pamilerin’s niche cuts across business, media, lifestyle and entertainment, and he works with both SMEs and big brands.

Pamilerin’s contact details

• Email address: thepamilerin@gmail.com
• Twitter: @UnclePamilerin

Four-Eyed Edo Boy

Alex Oraifo, known widely as the Four-eyed Edo boy, is another reputable influencer marketer to reckon with. I personally think he stands out from the rest, thanks to wittiness and storytelling prowess.

He has a unique way of creating witty and funny contents around trending topics, which has endeared him to lots of social media users.

This is not verified information, but there is a high possibility that 50% of Twitter screenshots that get shared on other social media platforms such as Instagram and Whatsapp are Alex’s tweets. His 558k+ followers on Twitter is proof of this.

His niche cut across business, entertainment and lifestyle. And oh, he is also an artist and dancer.

Four-eyed Edo boy’s contact details

• Twitter: @Alex_Houseof308

Aunty Ada

Aunty Ada is the first lady here, but definitely not the last. You wouldn’t be wrong to call her the call the first lady of Twitter influencer marketing too. Some people say she is one of the first set of influencer marketers in Nigeria.

Over the years, she has built a brand for herself by helping small, medium, and big businesses reach their Twitter audiences. 

Her niches are mostly lifestyle, business and entertainment. Of course, Nigeria’s recent events have made everyone more active in politics, and she is not an exception.

With over 336k followers engaging with her contents, SMEs wouldn’t be making the wrong decision to work with her.

Aunty Ada’s contact details

• Email address: Auntyadaa@gmail.com
• Twitter: @Auntyadaa

Danny Walter

Danny Walter is another known name on social media. Arguably the number one shoe plug on twitter, Danny Walter doubles as an influencer marketer, and he seems to be doing pretty well at both.

Stand to be corrected, but an average Twitter user who needs to get a nice pair of shoes would most likely think of Danny Walter first. Businesses in shoe lines should note this.

He has also had his fair share of Twitter bans, and his current account has over 307k followers.

Aside from footwear, his other niches cut across cryptocurrency, fashion, business and lifestyle.

Danny Walter’s contact details

• Email address: dannywalterpr@gmail.com
• Phone number: 09011342097
• Twitter: @Danny_Walterr

Naija Brand Chick

Shoutout to these people holding it down on Instagram. Nelly, widely known as Naija brand chick popular on Instagram. She creates educative and informative contents that would help businesses grow on her IG page.

Read more about Naija Brand Chick and other MSME experts here.

Naija Brand Chick’s contact details

• Email address: info@naijabrandchick.com
• Instagram: @naijabrandchick

Hustlers Square

Diyemowei Lily is the brain and face behind hustlers square. She is a popular influencer marketer, especially among SMEs on Instagram. Read more about Hustlers Square and other MSME experts here.

Hustler Square’s contact details

• Instagram: @hustlersquare
• Phone number: 08066763021

Tricia Biz

Tricia Biz is not your regular influencer. She has been in the game for a while, helping small, medium and big brands reach their target market. Read more about Tricia Biz and other MSME experts here.

Tricia Biz’s contact details

• Email address: info@triciabiz.com
• Phone number: 08141140043
• Instagram: Triciabiz

Volqx

Ending the list with a Twitter influencer marketer. Not sure what his real name is, Volqx is a well-known influencer on Twitter who has built a large following by creating engaging and relatable contents.

Volqx’s contact details

• Email address: info@volqx.com

Conclusion

And there you have our recommended influencer marketers you can work with as an SME in the country with their contact details.

Who should have been on the list? And have you worked any of them – how was your experience

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