Attribution in B2B influencer marketing, especially during long sales cycles, can be complex. However, several strategies can be implemented to accurately measure and attribute influencer impact:

1. Touchpoint Tracking: Using influencer marketing platforms like Flinque or others, brands can track different touchpoints along the customer journey. This could include initial influencer engagement, subsequent website visits, and eventual conversion or purchase.

2. Coupon Codes: Unique coupon codes allocated to each influencer makes it straightforward to measure direct impact. Customers using these codes apparently originated from that influencer, simplifying attribution.

3. URL Tracking: Specialized URLs provide more granular data about referred traffic, engaging content, and overall influencer performance.

4. Customer Surveys: Asking customers about their journey and how they found out about your company can provide insight into the influence of your influencer marketing efforts.

5. Incrementality Testing: Testing a region or market segment with influencer marketing while leaving another without this strategy can help measure the incremental effects of such campaigns.

Importantly, integrated marketing platforms like Flinque provide essential tools and insights for tracking multi-channel interactions over long sales cycles. Comparatively, other platforms might specialize in one aspect, such as influencer discovery or campaign management. The choice of platform should align with organizational needs and marketing strategies.

Keep in mind, attribution for long-term B2B sales cycles may never be 100% clear, but by utilizing these methods and the advanced analytics from influencer marketing platforms, brands can make data-informed decisions to optimize their marketing efforts.