Headshot of vahbiz cooper on the market mentors podcast
Apr 8, 2025

How to Build Trust and Drive Growth with B2B Influencer Marketing

By Matt Dodgson

Co-Founder - Recruiter & Marketer

Finding authentic ways to connect with your target audience can be challenging. Traditional corporate messaging often falls flat, leaving businesses searching for more genuine methods of engagement. Enter influencer marketing – a strategy that’s transforming how B2B tech companies build trust and drive growth.

“When we have a corporate page continuously bombarding [audiences], all that is good and necessary. But when you have a figure that you trust or somebody who has a decent amount of authority talking about a particular service or product, that builds trust.”

– Vahbiz Cooper, Global Influencer Marketing Lead at Demandbase

Contrary to popular belief, influencer marketing isn’t just for consumer brands. In the B2B tech space, it’s becoming an increasingly powerful tool for cutting through the noise and establishing meaningful connections.

Today’s Guest

Who they are:  Vahbiz Cooper is Digital Marketing Manager at Demandbase.

A bit of background:  Vahbiz is a creative marketer who turns bold ideas into campaigns that don’t just look great—they deliver real results. Whether she’s crafting captivating social content or delving into influencer marketing, her focus is always on ensuring each project achieves its objectives and resonates with the intended audience.

Where you can find Vahbiz:

Connect with Vahbiz on LinkedIn

Prefer Video? Watch a full video of the podcast here…

Why Influencer Marketing Matters in B2B

Contrary to popular belief, influencer marketing isn’t just for consumer brands. In the B2B tech space, it’s becoming an increasingly powerful tool for cutting through the noise and establishing meaningful connections. According to LinkedIn’s B2B Institute, influencer marketing can significantly amplify brand reach and credibility.

The Trust Factor

The primary benefit of B2B influencer marketing is simple yet powerful: building trust. When a respected industry expert talks about a product or service, it carries far more weight than traditional corporate messaging. As Vahbiz explains, “When we have a corporate page continuously bombarding [audiences], all that is good and necessary. But when you have a figure that you trust or somebody who has a decent amount of authority talking about a particular service or product, that builds trust.”

Finding the Right Influencers: It’s Not Just About Follower Count

Selecting the right influencers is crucial – and it’s far more nuanced than simply choosing those with the largest following. The Content Marketing Institute emphasises the importance of strategic influencer selection.

Here are key considerations:

  1. Audience Alignment: Ensure the influencer’s followers match your target market. A large following means nothing if it’s not the right audience.
  2. Content Authenticity: Look for influencers who genuinely add value. Avoid those who simply post about their breakfast or generic event attendance.
  3. Platform Focus: For B2B tech, LinkedIn is typically the primary platform, with video content and Reels gaining significant traction.

Building Meaningful Influencer Relationships

Success in B2B influencer marketing goes beyond transactional interactions. Forbes highlights the importance of authentic partnerships in B2B marketing.

Vahbiz emphasises the importance of cultivating genuine partnerships:

  • Give Creative Freedom: Don’t micromanage content creation. Trust the influencer to communicate in their authentic voice.
  • Provide Value: Offer more than just monetary compensation. Consider:
    • Extended product trials
    • Exclusive insights
    • Collaborative opportunities
    • Meaningful recognition

Measuring Success: Beyond Simple Metrics

Measuring influencer marketing ROI can be challenging. Gartner provides comprehensive guidance on tracking meaningful metrics.

Vahbiz recommends a multi-layered approach:

Short-Term Metrics

  • Engagement rates
  • Post likes and comments
  • Video views
  • Website traffic from UTM links

Long-Term Indicators

  • Brand awareness
  • Delayed conversions
  • Quality of leads generated
  • Relationship-building potential

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

  1. Don’t Over-Prescribe: Avoid telling influencers exactly what to say or how to say it.
  2. Be Respectful: Remember, influencers are professionals running their own businesses.
  3. Communicate Clearly: Set expectations upfront about deliverables, timelines, and potential revisions.
  4. Pay Promptly: Treat influencers with the same respect you’d show any business partner.

The Future of B2B Influencer Marketing

While emerging technologies like AI influencers are on the horizon, Vahbiz remains cautious. Harvard Business Review explores the evolving landscape of digital marketing and influencer strategies.

“In B2B, it’s hard to build trust. I don’t know how credible AI influencers will be,” she notes.

Final Advice: Experiment and Have Fun

The most important takeaway? Don’t be afraid to experiment. Some of the most successful campaigns might seem ridiculous at first. As Vahbiz advises, “Just because you’re afraid it’ll go bad, don’t panic. Keep experimenting.”

Conclusion

B2B influencer marketing is about building genuine connections, telling authentic stories, and providing real value to your audience. It’s not just about selling—it’s about creating meaningful conversations that resonate with your target market.

Ready to explore influencer marketing for your B2B tech brand? Start small, be creative, and focus on building real relationships.

Want to learn more? Connect with Vahbiz Cooper on LinkedIn or reach out to explore how we can help you hire influencer marketers to transform your B2B marketing results.

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