With a nickname like “Sin City” and a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, you might argue that Las Vegas never lacks attention or notability. While it’s true, the lights and delights of Vegas are a magnet for millions of tourists, superstars, millionaires, and high-rollers, there is a growing trend that is transforming the Las Vegas scene. Enter the age of influencers.
What is an Influencer?
An influencer is someone who has successfully grasped the brass ring in the dizzying carousels of social media. These are people with unique perspectives and have the attention of a devoted following. What’s more, an influencer is one who can make or break a business, venue, or tourist destination with a bat of their eyelash or a swish of a social media swipe.
This is both good and bad news for Las Vegas small business owners. As you can imagine, a positive review from a prominent influencer can mean a tremendous boost for small businesses and therefore a boom to Vegas’ economy.
Alternatively, an influencer who drops a thumbs-down on an aspect of Vegas’ thriving industries could mean disaster for any business in the city. Read further about examples of how influencers are transforming the Las Vegas scene, and ways to leverage an influencer’s power.
Ways Influencers Impacting Vegas
Armed with a smartphone, an Instagram account, and a secure WordPress hosting service for blog posting, an influencer has the potential to forge the future for any deli, boutique, or salon in Vegas. On the plus side, a glowing account from a well-known influencer can be extremely beneficial to Vegas’ small businesses. On the downside, a poor review from an important influencer could equally crush a budding chef, florist, or artist trying to make it big in the city.
While the prospect of one person having such power and influence is unsettling, there are silver linings to the new norm of the influencer age. Here are a few suggestions on how to take advantage of influencers so as to rejuvenate and transform the Las Vegas small businesses.
Understand the Trend of Trending
If you own a small business in Vegas, you’re probably always grappling with ways to gain positive attention to your establishment. This is where influencers can be extremely beneficial to your goals of being top-notch in your class. To explain, what’s important to note about influencers is that they are always chasing down the next trend.
You can leverage this by following Las Vegas influencers and observing what they deem as trending. Then, you can employ these trendy tidbits into your business model with the goal to attract more attention to your business. You might even give a shout-out on your website or social media with a comment like “As recommended by [influencer], we are now offering these highly sought-after delights!” This is a keen way to leverage the opinions of prominent influencers in your genre.
Accountability is Key
As a small business owner in Las Vegas, you know that superior customer service and holding to high standards is crucial to keep your business relevant and successful. That’s great, but sometimes standards might slack. Every business owner goes through slumps. Maybe you lost your best cook, or you’re understaffed for the latest fashion show to promote your exclusive boutique. You’re only human, and you’re bound to have bad days.
Nonetheless, consider the power of the influencer. Let’s say a high-rolling influencer decides to visit your shop. You’re not going to have the luxury of notification. He or she is not likely to let you know of their plans to patron your business ahead of time. Therefore, you must be constantly vigilant to present your best foot forward.
Prepare for drop-ins from influencers as best you can. Stay accountable so that you can avoid a poor review from an influencer. If you do your best to provide the best products and customer service, then you might capture the eye of an influencer that can make all the difference for your Vegas-based business.
The Last Word on Vegas’ Small Businesses and Influential Influencers
These are just a few examples of how Vegas-owned small businesses can utilize the momentum of influencers to benefit their businesses. So, if you own and operate a small business in Las Vegas, start putting your ear to the ground and get in touch with the influencer age.
