IZEA Reinvents Itself With The New Flex Platform

It’s hard to have a conversation about influencer marketing software platforms and companies without talking about IZEA. IZEA Worldwide is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ. Annual revenues are thought to be in the $20 million range. As of the end of 2021 its revenue was actually up 96% year over year. Not bad for a little idea called Sponsored Posts that Ted Murphy dreamed up at what was essentially a web development firm in Florida in 2006.  Today, IZEA is one of, if not the, largest influencer marketing software solutions and managed services companies. In many ways it dictates what brands look for in a solution, largely because it’s been doing this a lot longer than everyone else. Its managed services clients are a Who’s Who of Fortune 500 companies. It’s lower-priced self-serve platforms and marketplace have served the industry well, too. And IZEA has done a nice job of keeping up with the trends, changes and innovations the industry needs. A month ago or so, Murphy and team announced a whole new IZEA. They’ve reimagined what influence marketers need in a toolset and come out with a new platform called Flex. It features a series of toolsets that do one thing or another, but that can also be tied together nicely with links and associations to give people who build strategies for brands, more insight into everything from how right an influencer is, to the performance of their content, to their impact on ROI and beyond.  Who better to ‘splain all this to us than Ted Murphy himself. He was actually the first guest on Winfluence back in September of 2020 when my old podcast rebranded to focus on influence marketing. Ted is often who I turn to for conversations and insights about the industry and it’s always fun to have him on the show. I’ll admit it’s more fun now that he’s the CEO of a publicly traded company because, well from his PR team’s perspective, I’m a risk. Nevertheless, Ted and I always have a fun time chatting and he doesn’t mind a few hand grenades I toss him during the conversation.  We caught up not long ago to have him tell me more about Flex, the new IZEA, and let me pull a pin and lob a couple hot ones at him. You’ll get to hear it all on today’s episode. Winfluence is made possible by Cipio.ai – The Community Commerce Marketing platform. What does that mean? It’s an influencer marketing software solution, but it has additional apps that function to tap into your brand community to drive commerce. Community Commerce Marketing moves beyond influencers to fans and followers, customers, employees and more. Try its generative AI application, Vibe Check, with a two-week free trial at cipio.ai/vibecheck, and generate a library of social captions in minutes you can use right away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

There's a different in having TikTokers and Instagrammers post about your brand and actually driving influence. Welcome to Winfluence - The Influence Marketing Podcast, where we explain the difference and help your brand shift from influencer marketing to influence marketing. Hosted by industry expert Jason Falls, acclaimed author of "Winfluence: Reframing Influence Marketing to Ignite Your Brand," this podcast takes you on a strategic journey through the world of influence marketing. Jason's wealth of experience ensures that your influence efforts are not just about buzz, but also about real, measurable business impact. And you'll learn that influence marketing (without the 'r') is more than just social media. It can involve offline influence, media, thought leaders, community members and beyond. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: Join us as we dive deep into enlightening conversations with a diverse range of guests, including brand managers, agency strategists, software vendors, and influencers themselves. Get ready to uncover the intricacies of the art and science behind influencing audiences to take action, whether that's trying, buying, or thinking differently. 🔥 What You'll Explore: 📊 Strategic Insights: Gain a new perspective on influence marketing by understanding how to align your influence efforts with concrete business objectives. From increasing brand awareness to driving tangible sales, we unveil the strategic keys to success. 🤝 Collaborative Brilliance: Delve into the secrets of successful collaborations as we chat with brand managers and influencers who have perfected the delicate dance of co-creation. Discover how authenticity, alignment, and creativity drive powerful partnerships. 🔬 The Influence Science: Explore the science behind influence, dissecting the psychological triggers that inspire action. Learn how to craft messages that resonate deeply with your target audience, prompting them to engage, purchase, and advocate for your brand. 🌐 Beyond Online Borders: Dive into the world of offline influence and discover how it complements digital strategies. Unearth the strategies that translate seamlessly from online to offline, creating a unified brand presence that captivates audiences across all touchpoints. 📚 Learn from the Best: Benefit from the wisdom of industry leaders who have mastered the delicate balance between utilizing influencers and creating genuine influence. Gain practical insights that empower you to create meaningful, lasting connections. 🚀 Stay Connected and Informed: If you're committed to turning influence into impact, Winfluence is your one-stop source of inspiration and knowledge. Subscribe now to receive a steady stream of episodes that will revolutionize the way you approach influencer marketing. 🎧 Where to Tune In: Listen to Winfluence wherever you get your podcasts or watch the show on its Tuesday streams at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and on @jasonfalls's Twitter stream. 📲 Engage and Connect: You can find Jason Falls on most social media platforms @jasonfalls or look for Winfluence on YouTube or Facebook.