Influencer Marketing Report 2023 Launched

Chennai, 18th October 2023. The Influencer Marketing Report 2023, one of the definitive reports on the Influencer Industry was released today. Influencer.in, one of the fastest growing influencer platforms in the country and an initiative by Social Beat is releasing this Industry report for the third year running. The Influencer marketing report presents a comprehensive look at the industry providing insights on Influencer Marketing and its trends. The report for 2023 was compiled basis over 500 + survey responses by Indian content creators, and over 50 marketers in the June to August period of this year. The report offers actionable insights for brands intending to include influencer-marketing in their marketing mix.

One key revelation included the increasing popularity of Short-Form Videos with over 92% Influencers preferring generating content using this medium with You Tube Shorts emerging as the preferred platform for content creation. This reflects broader social media trends towards quick, visually engaging content.

Over 77% of respondents said that Influencer marketing is a ‘must-have’ component of their digital marketing strategy. Instagram remains supreme as the most popular platform for Influencer marketing with You Tube shorts emerging as the preferred format of content in this platform.

Brand spends on Influencer marketing remains low with most apportioning only 5-10% of their marketing budgets to this medium

Highlights:

• 61% of brands prefer to work with micro creators over celebrities as they are often seen as being more authentic and relatable to their followers, which can make them more effective at driving engagement and sales.
• While macro-influencers and mega-influencers are also popular, they tend to be more expensive to work with. If you want to reach a large audience quickly they’re a good option, but may not be as effective at driving engagement as micro- and mid-tier influencers.
• Short-Form videos and Authenticity drive Influencer Marketing in 2023. The survey revealed 92% of Influencers preferred content using short-form videos, a huge shift in influencer activations. You Tube emerged as the preferred platform for more than 51% Influencers
• Short-Form Video content like Reels and YouTube Shorts the most popular format among Influencers
• 80% of Influencers prefer long-term brand relationships.

Suneil Chawla, co-founder Social Beat and Influencer.in, said, “Our findings in the Influencer Marketing Report 2023 emphasize the significance of long-term relationships between influencers and brands. Building rapport and familiarity over multiple campaigns is a priority for 80% of influencers and is beneficial for brands. What is exciting is that Brands now have the opportunity of addressing specific audiences using niche influencers to reach them more effectively and, in a cost, effective manner.”

Arushi Gupta, Business Head, Influencer.in, said, “The Influencer Marketing Report 2023 provides insights on the evolving landscape of influencer marketing. It showcases the growing preference among brands for authentic connections with their target audiences through micro creators. As well as the graduation in sophistication with influencers using AI and other tools. Over 50% of creators use AI for content creation while around 33% use it for engagement and writing. Brands now have the opportunity to engage with select influencers as long-term brand partners to provide more specific content.”

Challenges

• 57.8% of the influencers surveyed feel that the most commonly cited challenge is that the budgets do not align with demands or expectations.
• 51% pf male influencers said brands were too focused on short-term goals and metrics rather than thinking long-term.
• Many also mentioned tight delivery timelines imposed by brands as an issue as this constrains creativity and quality.

Influencers are now actively seeking tools, including ideas and content creation using AI, to enhance their performance. Nearly half, at 48%, are in search of workflow optimization dashboards, while a substantial 46% are actively seeking tools to keep them well-informed about emerging trends. While 50% are using AI tools to generate content ideas.

Choosing the Right Size Home – A 2023 Perspective

– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

It’s festive season time again, and many Indians are seriously considering taking the plunge this time. But even after factoring in the pros and cons, there is one aspect of the home ownership journey that can cause confusion – namely, how big a home should you buy?

Of course, you’ve read the news and know that most Indian homebuyers are going in for bigger apartments now. One of the main reasons is that it makes more financial sense to go in for a ‘forever’ home right away instead of beginning with ‘starter’ homes and getting into the gradual upgrade cycle.

Each upgrade involves a new home loan, and the way home loans are structured, you are mostly paying the interest component for the initial EMI years. Add to that the hassle of fresh home loan applications and paying stamp duty on every upgrade, doing the whole thing only once is a very sensible option.

But choosing the right home size is not just about budget constraints; it’s about optimizing space for a comfortable life. How can you decide on what size of home works best for your family? Also, is this quest for bigger homes a purely Indian phenomenon, or is it worldwide?

Home Size Preferences – The Indian vs. Global Scene

In 2023, based on data from leading real estate consultants, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments dominate India’s urban housing market, constituting almost 65% of the demand. However, this contrasts rather sharply with the global scenario. Single-bedroom and studio apartments are gaining more traction in Western countries and also the densely populated cities in the East.

One might wonder why. The Indian homebuyer’s preferences stem from traditional joint family systems, the relatively newer preference for forever homes rather than starter homes, and the equally new need for home office space after the recent pandemic.

Though the trend of nuclear families is on the rise in India, even such families often look for an extra bedroom for guests or, potentially, aging parents. This is a cultural phenomenon which may be rather unique to India.

In the US, similar to what we are witnessing in India, there is also an increased preference for larger homes in suburban or rural areas post-COVID. In the UK, the trend was similar and was further encouraged by a stamp duty holiday in 2020. And somewhat similar to India, the UK witnessed a migration from urban areas to suburbs or countryside.

On the other hand, many of the major European and North American markets also saw a gradual shift towards minimalism and an emphasis on environmental sustainability. In India, this trend is primarily restricted to very expensive cities where functional smaller homes are becoming popular again.

But in overall industry terms, the highest demand in India is currently for bigger homes. So, what will you choose?

Do You Need a Bigger Home?

Glistening brochures and glamorous show-flats emphasizing spaciousness and luxury are definitely enticing. And apart form all the practical reason mentioned above, so is the social value of owning a bigger home. When it comes to deciding the right size of your home, consider your family’s current and future requirements. Also, reflect on whether a smaller but well-designed flat would meet your needs equally well. Often, smart designs matter as much as square footage.

Key Factors to Determine Your Ideal Home Size

Family Size and Dynamics: If you have a young family, planning for future needs (like an extra bedroom for another child or a play/study area) makes sense. If you’re nearing retirement, a smaller, low-maintenance home might be more appealing.

Lifestyle Preferences: If you entertain guests frequently, a larger living area or an extra guest room is useful. If you work from home, even in hybrid mode for a couple of days in the week, a separate work room becomes essential.

Financial Preparedness: Remember, bigger homes don’t just cost more initially; they also have higher maintenance costs.

Size Requirements at a Glance

– 2-bedroom flats are popular among young couples and small families. They strike a balance between affordability and adequate space.
– 3-bedroom homes cater to medium to large families, or those anticipating future expansion of their families.
– 4-bedroom homes and above cater to affluent buyers, large families, or those who prioritize luxury and space. However, the demand is relatively lower.

In metros like Mumbai, there’s actually an emerging trend for compact homes – smartly designed spaces that make the most of every inch. They’re economical and are a fit for the fast-paced metropolitan lifestyle. Also, prices in Mumbai are prohibitive when compared to neighbouring Pune or other cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. In these cities, buying a bigger home within a reasonable budget is feasible and desirable.

In Conclusion

Buying a home is a decision of a lifetime. Market trends provide insight but your individual needs must be given the most importance while deciding on the right size of home for your family. Let your unique requirements be the guiding light, so that you finally buy a home where your heart feels at peace and your family finds space to thrive.

About the Author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director – Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in West Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in West Pune.

Aakash Aath To cater To The Nostalgia Of Durga Pujo

Kolkata, 17th October 2023: This Durga Pujo Aakash Aath has curated a host of tastefully crafted episodes of Good Morning Aakash and Radhuni, especially to celebrate the grand festival. Food and music have over the ages escalated the essence of life while celebrating Devi Durga.

Good Morning Aakash will bring forward a plethora of musical performances throughout the days of Pujo. The show will bring light to the evergreen songs of Pujo that lies etched with people down the memory lane. The lineup of singers will be as follows: on Sasthi – Manomoy Bhattacharya and Sampa Kundu, on Saptami – Upal and Aninda from Chandrabindoo, on Astami – Aritra, Chandrika, Suchismita and Abhisek, on Nabami – Sovan Ganguly and Urmi Choudhury and on Dasami – Raktim, Jyoti, Sohini and Rahul.

The delicacies of Kolkata hold a huge significance in the days of Pujo. From the royal dishes to a variety of street foods, the list remains unending. Aakash Aath plans to cater to the Pujo palate craving and love for food via their immensely popular culinary show Radhuni, as there lies a special line up where the highlight will be the cuisines from Bonedi Barir Pujo. Aakash Aath attempts to bring back the exquisite delicacies of Kolkata which were not born out of restaurants but the kitchens of houses. These lost cuisines will be the perfect blend of nostalgia and tradition, that this city threads. The hosts of the show for the Pujo special series will be Sreetama Bhattacharya and Lopamudra Sinha.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s Brand ‘Shine’ sets a New Record in the 125cc motorcycle segment

Mumbai, 17 October 2023: Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) today announced the accomplishment of yet another milestone. Consistently setting new benchmarks, Honda’s Brand ‘Shine’ in the 125cc motorcycle segment has crossed over 30 Lac customers in western India. This achievement underscores HMSI’s unwavering commitment to excellence and solidifies its position as a dominant player in the 125cc motorcycle segment.

Delighting customers with speed and quality in Western India

Leading from the front, HMSI achieved its first 15 lac customers in over 11 years. Growing 2 times faster, the recent 15 lac customers were gained in just 6.5 years. This demonstrates HMSI’s accelerated growth and the unwavering trust of over 30 lac motorcycle enthusiasts in 125cc segment market of three Western states – Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa.

Playing a pivotal role in this remarkable achievement, Maharashtra is the highest contributing state with 20lac+ sales in the region.

Speaking on this remarkable feat, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The achievement of 30 lac customers for the Shine series of 125cc motorcycles showcases the enduring bond between Honda and the people of West who have embraced our motorcycles for their unmatched quality, performance and style. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal customers, dedicated dealers and esteemed partners who have played a pivotal role in reaching this significant milestone. We remain steadfast on our commitment to delivering cutting edge, high-quality products, enriching the riding experience of our customers across India.”

Brand Shine & SP drive the demand for 125cc motorcycles in West region from front

Delighting customers with advanced features, stylish design, and superior technology in the 125cc segment, Shine 125 & SP125 are the top 2 selling motorcycles in the western region. Further enjoying a commanding presence in 125cc motorcycle segment with a market share of over 57% in the region, today every 2nd 125cc motorcycle sold in the region is a Honda.

Giving joy to customers with SP125 Sports Edition ahead of festival season

Revolutionizing style quotient for the youth, the new SP125 Sports Edition makes a bold statement with its aggressive tank design, matte muffler cover and enhanced graphics along with new vibrant stripes on the body panels and alloy wheels. It will be available in attractive Decent Blue Metallic and Heavy Grey Metallic color shades which makes it a complete head-turner.

The SP125 Sports Edition makes you stay ahead with class-leading features while also offering the best value for money. It gets a bright LED headlamp, a fully digital instrument console with a gear position indicator & other mileage information. The SP125 boasts thrilling performance with its 123.94cc, single-cylinder BSVI OBD2 compliant PGM-FI engine that develops 8 kW power & 10.9 Nm of torque.