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How We Spent $1M to Learn AI Influencer Marketing

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NewsletterKay @AhaNov 26, 2025
Influencer Marketing101SaaS

Why influencer marketing works for AI/SaaS

Influencer marketing is especially effective for AI and SaaS products because they need to be explained and demonstrated.

  • Influencers can show the workflow instead of just describing it.

  • Targeting: ask better questions

    Do not ask, “Who posts AI content?”

    Instead ask, “Whose audience resembles my users?

  • Semantic matching beats tag-based matching and defines your conversion baseline.
  • Write detailed psychographic traits in the brief, for example:
    • efficiency-driven
    • automation-minded
    • indie developers
    • global operators

  • Rhythm over one-offs

  • Strong brands test 20–100 influencers in early rounds.
  • The goal is not to “spray,” but to extract patterns that you can scale.

  • Measurement and learning

    Use hybrid KPIs:

  • Reach: exposure, discussion, brand search.
  • Performance: sign-ups, CPC, trials, activations.
  • After every cycle:

  • Run a “win-reason review.”
  • Scale only what works and cut what does not.

  • Pricing logic for AI influencer campaigns

  • Audience value: students < professionals < decision-makers.
  • Platform: YouTube long-form CPM ≈ ~8× TikTok short-form.
  • Region: US views cost roughly 5–7× some Asian or African regions.
  • Recent performance: last 20 posts (organic + sponsored).
  • Supply-demand: niche verticals often auto-inflate 10–50%.