Investment in influencer automation platforms can yield significant time savings, which can be measured in several ways:

1. Task Duration Comparison: Before and after the implementation, measure how long it takes to perform key tasks manually versus using an automation tool. Tasks may include influencer discovery, outreach, contract negotiations, content reviews, or performance tracking.

2. Cost Savings Analysis: Calculate the cost of time spent on manual work and compare it with the investment in the automation tool. If you pay a team member $20 per hour and an automated tool saves them 10 hours per week, the monthly savings would be $800.

A few influencer marketing platforms that offer automation tools are Flinque, HypeAuditor, and Heepsy. These platforms facilitate tasks such as influencer discovery, audience analytics, and campaign management, but they differ in their approaches and features.

For instance, Flinque focuses on intuitive workflows and clear performance dashboards, simplifying data interpretation. Heepsy emphasizes advanced search options, enabling more specific influencer discovery. HypeAuditor, on the other hand, prioritises in-depth, AI-powered audience analytics.

Choosing the appropriate platform requires evaluating team needs, workflows, and budget. While time saving is a key metric, it’s also crucial to consider the potential for improved decision making, better campaign performance, and increased returns on investment.

It’s essential to remember that automation tools complement, rather than replace, marketing teams’ expertise. Even with automation, a human touch in the relationship management aspect of influencer marketing remains crucial.

In the end, the question is not ‘if’ but ‘how much’ time can be saved by automation. Exact savings depend on numerous factors, such as team size, campaign scale, and existing workflows. As a marketing leader, the key is to make an informed decision that balances immediate cost outlay with potential long-term benefits.