With restaurants across the country feeling the impact of the pandemic-induced economic downturn, it’s inspiring to hear stories like that of Frankenson’s Pizzeria in Las Vegas.

In a matter of hours, this small business went from having almost no customers to being completely sold out after a popular TikTok star and food reviewer shared his meal at this restaurant with millions of followers. Owner Frank Steele opened his pizza joint four months ago and had been barely scraping by, making only $400 a day. But that all changed when Keith Lee paid them a visit and posted about their delicious dishes on his account.

This is an incredible example of how powerful influencer marketing can be for businesses looking to gain exposure and build relationships with potential customers. There are several key components that made Frankenson’s campaign so successful: finding someone whose values align with those of the company; leveraging word-of-mouth advertising through social media channels; and strategically targeting audiences likely to be interested in the product or service.

First, connecting with an influencer like Lee who was authentic and resonated well with the audience was essential for creating genuine relationships between brands and consumers. This builds trust which helps increase sales down the line as people become more likely to buy something recommended by someone they already know and trust.

Second, leveraging word-of-mouth promotion is still one of the most effective strategies for boosting visibility among potential customers without spending too much money on advertising campaigns that may not even reach your target demographic.

The growth in modern platforms such as TikTok makes this easier than ever before since information – including reviews – can travel fast around millions of viewers at once. That way companies are sure they’re reaching exactly who they’re aiming for instead of wasting resources trying to hit everyone at once.

Finally, strategic targeting is also key if you want your influencer marketing efforts to bear fruit. Platforms like Instagram Ads Manager make it possible for businesses to segment buyers according to accounts’ age group or location so you can easily see which individuals are more likely to enjoy your offer or take advantage of special discounts — saving you time and energy a long way! Frankenson’s Pizzeria is proof positive that success does sometimes come from taking risks — such as investing in quality channels like Keith Lee — even when things aren’t necessarily going great at first.