Agents of influence - what kind of profession?
Currently increasing the popularity of their products Internet users are very concerned about themany companies, both large and small. Not surprisingly, even specialists appeared, whose tasks include the "promotion" of goods and services of companies on the Internet. These specialists - agents of influence.
Although the global computer network appeared only a few decades ago, but in general, agents of influence - the profession is by no means new. At all times there was a high demand for people who would influence on the opinion of others. And at all times such people were.
Previously, agents of influence called persons who,enjoying great prestige and trust in the society, carried out activities to increase the influence of foreign policy on internal processes in the country. They were called "deported Cossacks". Today the term "agents of influence" is usually applied to Internet professionals, which on the forums and blogs, social networks and communities are hidden (and sometimes openly) advertise certain goods and services.
The essence of the activity of the agents of influence is as follows. On the instructions of the advertiser, the influence agent is "being introduced" to various thematic Internet resources and there, "masquerading" as a normal user,advertises goods and services of the advertiser. And since the secret agent of influence is as much like a simple user, advertising does not look like advertising itself, but rather is perceived as personal experience and personal opinion. If undercover agent in the role of the user managed to earn confidence, then to his words the other users will listen.
Often, at the same forum or in the same group in a social network There are several agents of influence: they skillfully "pull" the other users intodiscussions and heated debates about this or that product. At the same time, by the way, the information "noise" around the advertised product may be even more important than praising the remarkable characteristics of this product: users are interested in knowing what such other people are arguing so actively about.
Currently vacancies of influence agents are found on many popularInternet resources for employment. To applicants are not very high demands, and it is also often indicated that the work can be carried out remotely, i.e. without mandatory presence in the office. However, in reality, the profession of an agent of influence is not as simple as it seems at first glance.
Being an average user of a forum or social network, recognizing one's credibility in various expert fields is difficult to achieve. Good communication skills are needed on various topics and a subtle psychological flair to really become that agent of influence, to whose opinion they will listen.
To date, some leading HR-managers believe that agents of influence arean unpromising profession, since hidden marketing is gradually becoming obsolete. But agents of influence can act not only secretly, but also "in the open," because the presence of the company in the Internet environment is considered a good form.
Modern companies create their own branded pages in social networks, conduct corporate blogs. Employees who communicate with visitorspages and blogs of the company, provide answers to emerging questions, respond quickly to criticism - this is also, to some extent, agents of influence. Using agents of influence gives companies the opportunity to be "closer" to their potential customers.
