A new phenomenon is emerging in the digital marketing in 2024: virtual influencers! Also known as CGI influencers, as these are the creations that are computer-generated.
In fact, virtual influencers are very similar to humans. It difficult for a newbie to differentiate virtual influencers from any human influencers. Plus, these CGI influencers are earning dollars to their owners. Some of thee virtual influencer have follower based beyond 200k to 300k.
So, is it the end of real influencers? Would these CGI influencer take off all the spotlights and leave real influencer in dark?
Let’s analyze some of the benefits of virtual influencers over human influencers and understand why it’s trending.
1. Virtual Influencers are Cost-Effective
For creators, building a virtual influencer may cost a significant amount of sum. However, the costs are very affordable and profitable in the long run.
For brands, virtual influencer marketing is effective, engaging, and cost-effective. It’s because most of the operational costs added with human influencers take a backseat.
2. Customizable
When someone creates a virtual influencers, they create more than the influencer’s physical appearance. Creators choose the influencer’s goals, persona, fashion sense, public statements, and behaviour.
However, if the creator wants to modify anything about the virtual influencer, they can do so! For instance, let’s say that the skin tone has to be changed or the body shape. Such customization isn’t realistic for humans, but for virtual creators – it is.
3. Not restricted to one Language
Unlike real influencers who create content in only one or two languages, virtual influencers can speak various languages. What’s even impressing is that their words don’t seem to be translated and blend seamlessly!
4. No Extra Costs To Maintain Them
Human influencers have to spend a lot of money to put out only one good video out. These costs include the prices of shooting locations, equipment, editing, team, etc.
On the opposite side, virtual influencers are cost-effective in the long run because of no extra costs. Creators can change the background, outfits, and what not, simply by changing the prompts!
5. Complete Creative Control
Virtual influencers give complete creative control to their creators. One can modify not only their physical appearance, but also their persona, fashion sense, actions, goals, and public statements.
While humans are unpredictable with their public statements and actions, virtual influencers can be controlled. Hence, keeping their brand consistent on social media.
6. Better Engagement Than Human Influencers
A study showed that virtual influencers have engagement rates almost 3x higher than human influencers. In fact, these engagement rates have been consistent for over 2 years, indicating virtual influencers are more engaging.
The engaging factors can be appealing visuals, stories, and high-quality content. Speaking of content, videos work better than images for virtual influencers in terms of engagement and brand growth.
7. Appealing to a Diverse Audience
Since virtual influencers are not limited to any geographical and cultural boundaries, they can be appealing to a diverse audience. Some virtual influencers have gained international recognition due to the same reason, such as Shudu Gram.
However, the influencer’s impact depends a lot on the creator. For instance, a controversial statement from the virtual influencer is enough to reflect on their public image. In addition, it can lead to public backlash as well.
So, a virtual influencer with features and characteristics aligning with various cultures can be truly capturing at an international level!
8. Innovative, Captivating Storytelling
The virtual power of these influencers makes them much better than human influencers in terms of storytelling. For instance, the creator can put the virtual influencers in a virtual setting and narrative to visualize the stories. On the other hand, the same setup would cost a lot to human influencers.
These virtual settings could be anything – from exotic, expensive places to a fanatical world. Creators can get their desired output with a descriptive contexrt, making the stories visually appealing.
9. Creators Can Protect Their Privacy
Virtual influencers can be a way for those who themselves cannot be an influencer. For instance, some people can’t step into social media as an influencer due to societal pressure, or because they don’t feel comfortable on camera. Such people can represent themselves with their virtual representative.
Additionally, there’s a high chance of influencers losing their personal information such as address out in public. However, virtual influencers have virtual information, protecting the creators’ information.
10. Virtual Influencers Can Go Eternal
Human influencers can meet an accident, swap their career with something else, or fall out of consistency. In short, they aren’t going to stay forever.
On the other hand, virtual influencers are going to stay. Their consistency might also differ, but they can go eternal in this technology.
Limitations of Virtual Influencers
Like human influencers, virtual ones also have a few limitations. Let’s grab a glance at a few of them:
- Virtual influencers may create an unrealistic bar of beauty and lifestyle standards in the real world.
- Emotions often have no space in the virtual world. Hence, creating a distant relationship with the audience.
- There isn’t enough authenticity in virtual influencers.
Conclusion
In future, virtual influencers are going to be your next-door neighbor! Everyone will have their own virtual creation. In any scenario, I don’t think human influencers are going anywhere, anytime soon.