Influencer marketing can be a game-changer for brands, but running a successful campaign is no small feat.
From finding the right creators to managing campaigns and analyzing results, it’s easy to feel stretched thin.
If you’re weighing the pros and cons of keeping it in-house versus bringing in a team of experts, there’s an option that can do both.
Managed influencer services offer a streamlined solution for brands that want professional support without the hassle of building a program from scratch.
But is it the right fit for your business? Let’s break it down.
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What Are Managed Influencer Services?
Managed influencer services can handle every aspect of an influencer marketing campaign.
From strategy development to creator outreach, campaign management, and performance analysis, these services provide end-to-end support.
For some brands, it’s like having an entire influencer marketing team without needing to hire and train one themselves.
For others, managed services complement an existing in-house team, providing additional expertise, resources, and support to enhance ongoing efforts.
This flexibility makes it easy to tailor the level of involvement to fit your business’s unique needs.
For brands that want to simplify their marketing efforts and get results faster, managed services offer a practical solution.
Sammy Martin, Manager of Professional Services at Later, summarizes exactly why our managed services team drives value by making influencer and social media marketing easy and effective for brands.
“With our award-winning team and expert use of our technology, we handle everything from finding creators to managing inboxes and measuring results — saving brands time and resources,” says Sammy.
“With deep industry experience and a creator-led approach, we make sure every campaign hits the mark and helps brands grow. It’s all about making marketing more impactful, whether brands need help with the day-to-day tactics or the bigger picture.”
The Benefits of Managed Influencer Services
Here’s what brands love about working with a managed services team.
#1: Expertise Without the Learning Curve
Influencer marketing comes with its own set of challenges, from staying on top of trends to navigating ever-changing platform algorithms.
Managed services teams are made up of experienced professionals who understand the industry inside and out.
Whether you’re launching your first campaign or scaling up existing efforts, they bring the expertise you need to succeed.
“As we get to know the brand better, we refine our strategies, optimize campaigns based on performance data, and proactively introduce new tactics to keep things fresh and effective,” explains Sammy.
#2: Established Influencer Relationships
Finding and vetting the right creators can take significant time and effort.
Managed services teams often have pre-existing connections with influencers in their database, giving you access to a network of trusted creators.
This saves time and ensures your campaigns are backed by influencers who are a natural fit for your brand.
#3: A Smarter Investment
Building an in-house influencer marketing team can be a significant investment. Between recruitment, training, and providing the right tools, the expenses add up quickly.
Managed services provide an alternative, giving you access to an experienced team that’s ready to hit the ground running.
It’s a way to keep costs in check while still benefiting from the expertise needed to run impactful campaigns.
#4: Time Savings
Running a campaign takes time, especially when you’re starting from scratch.
Managed services handle all the details, from planning and outreach to execution and reporting, and can get an influencer marketing campaign running fast.
With these tasks off your plate, you can focus on other priorities while still reaping the rewards of an effective influencer marketing strategy.
#5: Flexible Involvement
Whether you want to stay involved in the day-to-day or prefer to hand over the reins entirely, managed services offer the flexibility to work the way that suits you best.
You decide how hands-on or hands-off you’d like to be.
“We also adjust to any changes in business priorities, helping brands stay agile and focused on both the immediate goals and long-term vision,” says Sammy.
“The longer we work together, the more we can act as an extension of the brand team, making sure every aspect of their marketing strategy is aligned and driving value.”
#6: Room to Experiment
Influencer marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and strategies that work today may need to evolve tomorrow.
Managed services offer the flexibility to explore new approaches, whether that’s experimenting with affiliate marketing, collaborating with micro-influencers, or testing video-first campaigns.
This adaptability ensures your marketing efforts stay fresh and aligned with your brand’s goals, no matter how they change.
How to Decide if Managed Services Are Right for You
Still unsure if managed services are the best fit? Consider these questions:
Do you have the time to manage campaigns in-house? If your team is already balancing multiple responsibilities, adding influencer marketing to the mix can be overwhelming. Managed services can lighten the load.
Is your team experienced in influencer marketing? If influencer campaigns are new territory, having a team of experts guide the process can help you avoid costly missteps.
How quickly do you need results? Managed services often come with established workflows and influencer networks, allowing you to get campaigns up and running faster than starting from scratch.
Do you want to experiment with new strategies? If you’re curious about exploring new approaches, a managed services team can help you test and refine tactics with confidence.
What’s your budget? For many brands, managed services are a more cost-effective option than building and maintaining an in-house team.
Answering these questions can help clarify whether managed services align with your brand’s needs and goals.
See What Later’s Services Team Can Do for Your Brand
Later’s Services team combines expertise, industry connections, and award-winning tools to help brands like yours thrive.
Whether you’re aiming to boost sales with better content creation, drive engagement, or build stronger relationships with your audience, we’re here to support you every step of the way, for now and into the future.
If you’re looking for a way to save time, cut costs, and improve your influencer marketing results, managed services could be the solution you’ve been searching for.
Book a demo today to learn how Later's team of experts can help your brand achieve its goals.