Website Planet had the chance to sit down and chat with Yash Chavan, Founder of SARAL. We discussed how the company started, the challenges they faced, and got some expert tips for all online business owners.xv
Let’s introduce SARAL to our audience. What is it and how does it work?
SARAL allows brands, even those who have no experience with influencer marketing, to build “direct-to-creator” influencer programs and cut the middleman out.
We offer a comprehensive suite of features that cover all aspects of influencer marketing, including influencer discovery, relationship management, campaign tracking, and analytics.
We provide a one-stop solution for influencer marketing, eliminating the need for multiple tools or apps:
- No more Marketplaces and database tools to find influencers
- No more outreach tools
- No Sheets, Notion, or other project management tools
- No need to go to Gmail or any external CRM
- No additional affiliate tracking tool needed
- No more automations needed
How did it all start, and what are your achievements to this day?
SARAL’s origin story begins in late 2021 when I identified a major problem in the industry. I noticed that existing influencer marketing tools were expensive, with annual commitments exceeding $15k, making them inaccessible for smaller brands.
The timing was just ideal for brands to explore relationship marketing as PPC costs were rising with a declined ROI. SARAL aimed to level the playing field by offering affordable access to influencer marketing tools, catering to brands of all sizes.
Since then, we have expanded our influencer discovery capabilities, integrating more extensive databases and advanced filtering options. Brands can now easily find influencers based on specific criteria such as audience demographics, lookalikes, and hashtags, ensuring precise influencer selection.
How does your mission differ from the other companies in your niche?
We understand the budget constraints of smaller brands and offer pricing plans that are accessible and tailored to their needs. The platform keeps the costs reasonable, allowing brands with limited resources to tap into the power of influencer marketing.
We have also put a strong emphasis on relationship building with influencers. We help businesses forge authentic connections with influencers, resulting in more effective and impactful influencer marketing campaigns.
Who are your typical clients and what problems do they have when they come to you?
Influencer marketing can be a daunting challenge, leading many brands to throw in the towel only after a few attempts.
Firstly, finding the right influencers who align with the brand’s values and target audience can be a challenge, requiring extensive research and vetting.
Then comes the tricky part of negotiating fair compensation, which can be a time-consuming and complex process. Finally, building and managing relationships with influencers requires consistent communication and coordination. It can be a pain point to ensure smooth communication, align expectations, and maintain effective collaboration throughout the campaign.
And what makes them eventually choose you over your competitors?
We have priced SARAL competitively, ensuring affordability for small and emerging brands that may be constrained by high costs associated with other platforms.
SARAL equips brands with robust tracking and analytics tools, allowing them to measure the success and ROI of their influencer campaigns. This data-driven approach helps small brands optimize their strategies and make informed decisions to drive better results in a cash-constrained environment.
Can you share one success story from your customers? What was their pain point, and what results did they get thanks to SARAL?
Kelli Klus from Swell Skin:- Despite having a great product, they struggled to reach their target audience. Their attempts at DIY influencer marketing yielded little to no results.
In just two months of using SARAL, Swell Skin successfully onboarded over 55 creators. The response was so phenomenal that Swell Skin faced the pleasant challenge of running out of inventory, with eager customers now waiting to buy from them!
Here’s un-filtered feedback from Kelli-
“For small business owners with no time to focus on influencers and follow up (me!), SARAL is honestly, AMAZING. They are always “on”, no micro-managing their team which is so important as other platforms do not have such dedicated and responsible teams. Believe me, I have tried them all. RESULTS matter and they WIN here!”
What do you see in the future of your industry, and how do you plan to cope?
I believe in the power of going “Direct To Creator” instead of via talent agencies or marketplaces. We will continue to empower brands to do the same.
Influencers are basically word of mouth at scale, so incentivize your people to talk about you! One effective strategy to maximize the reach and impact of your brand is to turn your customers into ambassadors. By transforming your satisfied customers into brand advocates, you can leverage their personal experiences and enthusiasm to drive referrals and generate new business.
