The Art of Sway podcast drops nearly every Monday, tackling the most relevant and provocative topics in the world of influencer marketing. With 37 episodes now in our archive, we’ve covered a remarkable range of trends, challenges, and industry insights. For those who may have missed some key discussions, this newsletter highlights our top ten most popular episodes to help catch you up on the conversations driving our field forward.
Top Ten Episodes from The Art of Sway Podcast
I’ve linked to Spotify for each of the below links, but you can also listen to these episodes on the podcast page of the Sway Group website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t love listening without a visual? Catch us on YouTube!
Talent Management (Episode 2)
This episode explores authenticity, communication challenges, and the evolving value of talent managers in the influencer space. We highlight common agency-manager barriers and discuss how marketers can leverage managers as industry resources for smoother collaborations and stronger campaigns.
Celebrities vs. Influencers (Episode 3)
In this episode we investigate how parasocial relationships shape consumer loyalty and purchasing decisions. We also make some important and clarifying distinctions: celebrities acquire fame outside social media, while influencers build their audience strictly within digital platforms; influencers tend to drive more direct engagement compared to celebrities.
Awareness vs. Performance (Episode 4)
Here we delves into the ongoing debate: should influencer marketing focus on brand lift or direct metrics? Ultimately, we stress the need for a balanced strategy, merging both awareness and conversion for long-term success, while also recognizing the importance of technology in refining available metrics.
Engagement Rates (Episode 5)
This episode reveals the limitations of engagement rates as the sole success metric for campaigns. We encourage marketers to use additional tools like brand lift studies, sentiment analysis, and a deeper exploration of consumer interactions.
Influencers vs. Creators (Episode 12)
In Episode 12, we examine differences in roles and reputational expectations between influencers and creators. The discussion spotlights trust, expertise, and aspirational marketing as forces shaping brand–creator relationships.
Non-Negotiables from Agencies (Episode 21)
About to hire an influencer marketing agency? If your answer is yes, this episode is a great resource. We outline the key operational values and standards agencies set to protect both brand interests and influencer wellbeing. We also discuss negotiation tactics, transparency, and long-term partnership requirements.
What Makes a Good Client (Episode 22)
Already hired that agency? Listen to Epiode 22 for tips on being their favorite client. We share insights on agency/client dynamics and detail the traits and processes that foster mutually beneficial, productive partnerships.
KPIs (Episode 27)
This episode breaks down critical KPIs unique to influencer marketing, emphasizing the need for customized campaign goals beyond vanity metrics. We also address the complexity of attribution and the challenge of measuring true ROI.
Pricing (Episode 36)
This episode tackles the sensitive issues surrounding pricing in influencer marketing. We discuss evolving transparency, scope creep, and clear value communication between agencies and clients.
Ambassadorships (Episode 37)
Ambassadorships are all the rage these days, but are they right for you? We investigates long-term influencer partnerships and what true brand ambassadorship requires. We also explore how ambassadorships can drive sustained engagement, advocacy, and authentic promotion.
Danielle