KOLs vs. Influencers: What They Are & What Differentiates Them

With the arrival of new methods and strategies to the world of online marketing, we’ve seen brand-new definitions and terminologies appear.

The concept of an influencer is nothing new, but “KOLs” are perhaps a bit more unknown. In order to differentiate between the two concepts and avoid any confusion that may arise, we’re dedicating this guide to explaining the distinctive features and differences between KOLs and influencers.

What Are KOLs? – Key Opinion Leaders

KOL is an acronym for Key Opinion Leader and can be defined as someone who’s considered an expert on a certain topic and whose opinions are respected by the public, thanks to their trajectory and the reputation they’ve built for themselves.

Essentially, a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) is a respected member of a niche community who is regarded by others as being an authority on a specific topic. Unlike influencers, they don’t make a living from influencing people. Instead, they work in all types of industries and simply share their opinions and recommendations with others as they genuinely believe in what they have to say. They are trusted and perceived as being authentic because of their knowledge and professional achievements, not their influencer marketing follower count.

Most key opinion leaders have specific expertise in complex areas such as the medical, scientific, financial, environmental, and technological fields. Renowned figures include Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and CNN's chief medical correspondent, who has collaborated with a number of health and wellness brands, leveraging his medical expertise to raise awareness on various health issues, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, an astrophysicist and science communicator, who has partnered with educational and tech brands to promote science education and engagement among the general public. Other notable examples from these fields include personal finance expert Suze Orman, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and environmental activist and former Vice President Al Gore, who has worked with green technology and sustainability brands to advocate for environmental conservation and climate change awareness.

These days, the concept of Key Opinion Leaders has evolved and expanded into certain mainstream industries, including beauty, fitness, and well-being. Examples of KOLs with expertise in these fields include respected dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong, actor and fitness guru Dwayne Johnson, and writer and campaigner Jack Monroe, who is a respected advocate for eating healthily on a budget.

“KOL is an acronym for Key Opinion Leader and can be defined as someone who’s considered an expert of a certain topic and whose opinions are respected by their public”

Key Opinion Leader vs Influencer: What's the Difference?

Since both KOLs and influencers collaborate with brands to recommend products or services, it’s important to define on what occasions these two different profiles tend to be used:

The main difference is that influencers are native to social media platforms since that’s where the very concept of an influencer was developed. KOLs, on the other hand, have parallel professions, such as journalists, entrepreneurs, writers, or politicians.

A KOL can, of course, have a big presence on social media or have a blog or YouTube channel, but these don’t tend to be their main means of communication, nor do they necessarily post very frequently. In fact, engagement on KOL profiles tends to be lower than with influencers, as they often don't have time to chat or engage with such a large following. 

KOLs don’t tend to recommend products related to their professions in exchange for economic compensation. However, there are cases of big-name KOLs associating their name with a brand in exchange for generous compensation. 

A prime example of this is George Clooney, the American actor and producer whose decade-long partnership with Nespresso has succeeded in making "coffee sexy" (in exchange for a hefty 40 million dollar fee. Another example of a successful KOL partnership includes Rafael Nadal, who has been the primary face of KIA Motors since 2006. 

Image source: Nespresso global

In the cases mentioned above, brands have a much more hands-on approach to the content that's being published. Whereas with influencers brands are encouraged to give a certain degree of creative freedom and let the influencer design a post that suits their audience, KOLs are not professional content creators and campaigns with them will usually require a creative team, photoshoots, or recording sessions. 

Another fundamental difference between influencer marketing and Key Opinion Leaders is the motivation that drives their audiences to follow them.

For influencers, having a community of followers is the most important thing, and it’s for that very reason that they only recommend quality products and services to their followers. The originality and quality of the content they post directly determine their impact and number of followers, which their credibility and identity as an influencer depend on.

KOLs, on the other hand, don’t make a living off of these types of actions but regard them rather as complementary to their day-to-day activities.

How Can Key Opinion Leaders Benefit Your Brand?

There are many great benefits of influencer marketing (especially if you use the right software to scale your campaigns). However, complementing your strategy by collaborating with a Key Opinion Leader can be a highly effective way to build brand credibility, especially if you work in a niche industry that values knowledge and expertise.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways that Key Opinion Leaders can enhance your marketing strategies.

Key Opinion Leaders Help You Reach a Targeted Niche Audience

Because Key Opinion Leaders have already established a reputation as experts or thought leaders, they are likely to have a substantial audience made up of people with a genuine interest in what they have to say. These people don’t follow them simply because they are famous or popular; they read their posts because they are interested in their area of expertise. This means that, provided you work with a KOL that works in the same industry as your brand, it is very easy to expand your reach and target a relevant, niche audience. As a result, online users are far more likely to interact and engage with your brand. 

Collaborating With a Key Opinion Leader Can be a Powerful Way to Boost Sales

The messages shared by Key Opinion Leaders tend to make a big impact for two main reasons: their proven expertise and the power of word-of-mouth recommendations. This is an important point when you consider that word of mouth can generate up to five times as many sales as paid ads. This is because a KOL’s followers trust what they have to say and they believe that if a knowledgeable figure endorses a brand or product, then it must be of value. Implementing a KOL marketing strategy in your business can therefore help you generate more qualified leads and, most importantly, boost your sales.

KOLs Can Help You Build Brand Credibility

A Key Opinion Leader’s credibility comes from their qualifications and experience, not their follower count. This means that their opinions and recommendations hold a lot of weight; they are more likely to be believed and respected because they are held in such high regard. As a result, when a KOL endorses your brand, you acquire a degree of social proof that helps you build credibility.

This makes perfect sense if you think about it. After all, whose endorsements would you trust more? Those of a random celebrity? Or those shared by an industry expert with established qualifications and years of experience?

The Right Strategy Can Help You Create a Buzz Around Your Brand

Finally, working with a respected Key Opinion Leader can help you generate noise around your brand, provided you use the right strategy and share the right message. For example, if you get a KOL to hold a competition or launch a TikTok Hashtag Challenge then it can be a great way to create a buzz. This buzz will generate an air of excitement around your brand and pique the interest of your target audience. It will also differentiate your brand identity from your competitors and imprint your business in the memory of consumers, helping you establish a loyal customer base.

You never know - with the right Key Opinion Leader and the right strategy, your campaign might even go viral!

How to Find the Right KOLs For Your Brand

Finding the right Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) for your brand is a nuanced process that involves identifying individuals who not only resonate with your brand's values but also possess the authority and credibility to influence your target audience. 

Here's a guide on how to find the right KOLs for your brand:

• Understand your audience. Before searching for KOLs, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of your target audience. Identify their interests, values, and the type of content they engage with. This will help you find a KOL whose expertise and audience align with your brand.
• Define your goals. Clearly outline what you want to achieve with a KOL collaboration. Whether it's increasing brand awareness, launching a new product, or entering a new market, your goals will dictate the type of KOL you need.
• Look for expertise and relevance. Choose KOLs who are recognized experts in areas relevant to your brand. Their expertise should align with your products or services so that their endorsements appear authentic and credible.
• Assess their influence and reach. Consider the reach and influence of potential KOLs. However, focus not just on follower counts but also on engagement rates, audience quality, and the KOL's ability to drive meaningful conversations.
• Evaluate their content and values. Review the KOL’s content and ensure it aligns with your brand values. The right KOL should have a content style and messaging that complements your brand’s image.
• Check for authenticity and credibility. Authenticity is key in a KOL partnership. Choose KOLs known for their genuine approach and trusted by their audience. Their credibility should stem from their professional achievements and knowledge in their field.
• Consider long-term relationships. Ideally, look for KOLs with whom you can build long-term partnerships. Consistent collaboration can lead to more authentic and effective brand endorsements.

How to Incorporate KOLs in Your Marketing Strategy

Incorporating Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) into a brand's marketing strategy offers invaluable benefits, especially when aiming to reshape public perception and align the brand with values like loyalty, sincerity, and trust. These traits are often inherent in KOLs, making them powerful ambassadors for a brand’s image and ethos.

Take, for instance, the collaboration between George Clooney and Nespresso. Clooney's involvement in non-profit and charity work was leveraged effectively, positioning him as the face of Nespresso's sustainability initiatives. This strategic use of his image helped reinforce the brand's commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

It's important to note that KOL marketing is typically more aligned with branding actions rather than direct sales objectives. A KOL might not directly promote the latest product, but it becomes a pivotal figure in shaping and maintaining the brand’s public image. Their presence and endorsement can forge a strong associative bond in the minds of consumers.

Moreover, choosing the right KOL for your campaign is critical. The title of 'expert' in a field does not automatically make someone an ideal fit for a brand. The connection between a KOL and a brand should feel natural and authentic. It’s also crucial to verify that the KOL’s following is genuine and not inflated with fake followers or engagement.

When scouting for the ideal KOL, look beyond their authority and popularity. A perfect KOL should possess traits like a relatable personality, charisma, excellent communication skills, and the ability to serve as a role model. These attributes help in creating a deeper connection with the audience. For example, in the partnership between tennis star Rafael Nadal and Kia Motors, the key attribute was inspiration, aligning with Kia's brand belief that 'movement inspires ideas'.

Why You Should Work with a KOL

The benefits of influencer marketing are undeniable, but working with KOLs goes a step further:

• Confidence and experience. These are decisive factors when considering a product recommendation. Since KOLs are mainly implicated in branding actions, all of the benefits are associated with the brand and not a product.
• Credibility and background. The substantial background and credibility of KOLs elevate a brand's standing in competitive markets, thanks to their authentic and expert voices.
• Expertise. Key Opinion Leaders are experts in their field, and they are regarded by their followers as being honest and reliable sources of truth.
• Wider audience reach. Collaborating with a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) can help your brand reach a larger and more relevant audience and gain credibility, trust, and social proof.
• Consumer trust and loyalty. Endorsements from KOLs boost brand credibility and trust, leveraging their social proof to positively influence consumer perceptions.
• Targeted influence. KOLs often cater to niche, highly engaged audiences, enabling more focused and effective marketing strategies.
• Long-term brand association. Partnerships with KOLs can foster sustained, consistent brand images. This is especially true if you use influencer relationship management software to nurture the partnership.
• Quality content creation. KOLs are adept at producing high-quality content, which can elevate a brand’s content strategy.
• Valuable feedback and insights. KOLs can offer insightful feedback on products and brand positioning.
• Authentic engagement. Finally, the personal and authentic engagement style of Key Opinion Leaders leads to higher engagement rates and more effective brand promotion.