With 47% of millennials using adblock technology, brands are realising the best way to reach them is through content from sources they trust (Digital News Report). As a result, influencer marketing budgets are only getting bigger and bigger – and yours should too!

Still not convinced? Here are 5 reasons exactly why you need influencer marketing in year:

We’re the perfect region for it:

MENA has the highest level of trust in online consumer opinions over other global regions (Nielsen). 71% of those surveyed in the UAE would be interested in buying from a brand if their influencer endorses it. (BPG Cohn & Wolfe)

It has incredible youth-appeal:

A recent Goldman Sach’s study found that over one-third of 18 to 35 year olds look to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat for recommendations when making purchasing decisions. And the best way to be seen is to be endorsed by the people who run these platforms – influencers. In fact, 70% of teenage YouTube subscribers say they relate to YouTubers more than to traditional celebrities. (Google)

We need all the help we can get:

96% of people believe that the advertising industry does not act with integrity — 69% of these people attribute their mistrust to the advertisers’ desire to sell more effectively (IPSOS); A little positive brand association can’t hurt.

Everyone else is doing it:

Almost 60% of fashion and beauty brands have an influencer marketing strategy in place, while a further 21% plan to invest in it over the next 12 months (eConsultancy).

It really works!:

Brands that use social influencers are seeing up to a 10X increase in conversion rates (Content Marketing Institute). Customers who were acquired through social influencer efforts have a 37% higher retention rate (Forbes). In fact, most marketers (81%) that have tried influencer marketing find it to be effective (eMarketer).

Although,

It can be hard to find and connect with the right influencers. 59% of marketers say engaging with influencers is a challenge (eConsultancy). Enter FrontRow – the region’s first influencer networking platform, connecting brands with bloggers.

Need influencers now? Just sign up here and start connecting with top social influencers from the Middle East.