Last updated on Jul 22, 2024

Your influencer is missing deadlines. How do you get them back on track?

Navigating a situation where an influencer is consistently missing deadlines can be a tricky part of brand management. You've invested time and resources into this partnership, expecting it to boost your brand's visibility and reputation. When deadlines are missed, it's not just the content schedule that's affected; your marketing strategy and potential revenue can take a hit. It's important to address the issue promptly and effectively to get your influencer back on track without damaging the relationship.

1 Open Dialogue

The first step to addressing missed deadlines is to initiate an open and honest conversation. Reach out to your influencer with understanding and concern. It's essential to express the impact that missed deadlines have on your brand while also being receptive to any issues they might be facing. This approach encourages a solution-oriented discussion and strengthens your professional relationship. Remember, communication is a two-way street, and it's important to listen as much as you speak.

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Melodie Abdalla, MBA, CDMP

Digital Marketing Specialist | SEO Expert
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To get an influencer back on track with deadlines, communicate clearly and promptly, outlining the missed deadlines and their impact. Reiterate the importance of timely content delivery and set new, realistic deadlines. Offer support or resources they might need to meet these deadlines and establish a more structured follow-up process to ensure accountability.

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Zaheer Ahmad

Founder of Rozee CV | Amazon FBA & PPC Expert | Virtual Assistant | Listing Optimization Pro | Fintech & Home Remittance Specialist | Sales & Customer Support Expert
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I’d first have a friendly chat to understand what’s causing the delays. I’d make sure we’re both clear on the expectations and see if there’s any way I can support them. Regular check-ins would help keep everything on track, and if necessary, I’d adjust the deadlines or revisit our agreement to ensure we’re both aligned.

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Sourabh Bhattacharya, PhD.

Harvard Business Review Advisory Council Member, Startup India, TiE University, USA, GBSN - The World Bank; American Marketing Association, AIMA Vice Chancellors Council, American Psychology Association, AAAI, HIT
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When an influencer consistently misses deadlines, address the issue promptly and professionally. Start with a candid conversation to understand the root causes of the delays. Clearly restate expectations and the importance of timely content delivery for campaign success. Offer support if they're facing challenges, such as providing additional resources or adjusting timelines if feasible. Implement a structured communication plan with regular check-ins and progress updates. Consider using project management tools to help them stay organized. If issues persist, review and potentially revise the contract, including consequences for missed deadlines. As a last resort, be prepared to reassess the partnership if it fails to meet campaign needs.

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2 Set Expectations

Once you've opened the lines of communication, it's time to revisit and clarify expectations. Clearly outline the deliverables, deadlines, and the importance of adhering to the schedule. It may help to create a written agreement or amend the existing one to ensure both parties are on the same page. This step is not just about reinforcing rules; it's about establishing mutual understanding and respect for the partnership's requirements.

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3 Provide Support

Sometimes, influencers struggle with deadlines due to external challenges or a lack of resources. Offer support where possible, whether it's through additional guidance on content creation, time management tips, or even extending deadlines in exceptional circumstances. Showing that you're willing to help them overcome obstacles can motivate them to meet their commitments and can also lead to a more productive partnership.

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Gaurav Kumar Baliyan

Digital Growth | User Acquisition | Performance Marketing | Ex Milkbasket, Olacabs, Stanza living, Oyo
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Sometimes, influencers miss deadlines due to a lack of resources or understanding of the campaign requirements. Offer additional support by providing clear guidelines, regular check-ins, and resources to help them stay on track. At an e-commerce company, we assigned dedicated account managers to work closely with our influencers, offering guidance and troubleshooting any issues promptly. This hands-on approach ensured that influencers felt supported and were better able to meet their deadlines consistently.

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4 Monitor Progress

After discussing expectations and offering support, it's crucial to monitor the influencer's progress. Set up regular check-ins to discuss upcoming content, any potential issues, and progress towards deadlines. These check-ins serve as gentle reminders and provide an opportunity for the influencer to ask for help if needed before it's too late. It's a proactive way to keep things on track and shows that you're invested in their success.

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5 Incentivize Timeliness

Incentives can be a powerful motivator. Consider implementing a reward system for on-time delivery of content. This could be in the form of bonuses, public recognition, or future collaboration opportunities. It's important that these incentives align with the influencer's values and your brand's capabilities. When an influencer feels valued and sees tangible benefits to meeting deadlines, they're more likely to prioritize your content.

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6 Adjust Strategy

If missed deadlines continue despite your efforts, it may be necessary to reassess and adjust your influencer strategy. This could mean setting more realistic timelines, finding additional influencers to distribute the workload, or in extreme cases, ending the partnership. It's important for your brand to work with influencers who are reliable and share your commitment to success. Sometimes, making tough decisions is part of effective brand management.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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🌐Cecilia Alejandra A.

✪Consultora en Marketing y R.R.H.H. ✪Marketing Digital👩🏽💻 ✪Embajadora IFPyGP ✪Ices
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I think that addressing the situation with empathy, clear communication, and structured support can restore trust and productivity with the influencer while protecting the integrity of the brands' campaigns we are working with.

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Shivani Shukla

Media and Research Executive @ Anagram Media Labs Pvt Ltd | Public Relations |Influencer Outreach
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Provide Support: Offer assistance or resources they may need to complete their tasks. This could include additional information, tools, or guidance. Feedback Loop: Create a feedback loop where influencers can communicate any challenges they face. This can help you identify and address issues early on.

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Your influencer is missing deadlines. How do you get them back on track?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Open Dialogue

2 Set Expectations

3 Provide Support

4 Monitor Progress

5 Incentivize Timeliness

6 Adjust Strategy

7 Here’s what else to consider

Brand Management

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Your influencer is missing deadlines. How do you get them back on track?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Open Dialogue

2 Set Expectations

3 Provide Support

4 Monitor Progress

5 Incentivize Timeliness

6 Adjust Strategy

7 Here’s what else to consider

Brand Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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