How to Find Influencers for Your Brand? 5 Game-Changing Steps

How to Find Influencers for Your Brand? 5 Game-Changing Steps

Influencer marketing, which seems to be a new trend, has been helping brands for quite a while.

Back in 2010, when Instagram was newly launched, Filip Tysander, founder of the Swedish watch brand Daniel Wellington, saw an opportunity.
He reached out to hundreds of micro-influencers (with 10-100k followers), offering free watches for promotion. Be it fashion models or painters, he asked every small influencer to post something around his watches on their accounts.
This UGC campaign got so popular that people started buying their watches and posting on Instagram with #DWpickoftheday.
Ultimately, DW got eyeballs, customer trust, and $228 million in sales in 3 years.
That's the power of influencer marketing. Want to know how to find influencers? By the end of this post, you'll be an expert at identifying the right influencer for the right campaign.
Let's buckle up and see how to identify influencers.

What Is an Influencer?

Social media rules the world today. And influencers rule social media. Explaining what an influencer is seems futile. But let's do it to solidify the basics.
An influencer is someone who sways their audience and influences their choices due to their credibility and reach. They're trusted voices on influencer marketing platforms like Instagram, X, Snapchat, Moj, or TikTok, sharing content that vibes with their followers.
For instance, have you seen Hardik Pandya promoting those oversized t-shirts from The Souled Store or Ajey Nagar (Carryminati) unboxing ASUS ROG smartphones? That's influencers influencing.
These internet celebs build a community. Since they spark action and convince people to do things, brands love them.

Influencer vs. Content Creator: Understanding the Difference

Every influencer is a content creator, but not every content creator is an influencer.

On paper, they seem two of a kind, like someone with a camera, an audience, and a presence on social media. But when you look at them closely, there are plenty of differences. Understanding these differences is your first step to building the right partnerships with influencers for your brand.

Who is a Content Creator?

A content creator is someone who produces content. That's it. Their focus is on creation, not necessarily influence. They typically:

  • Create blogs, videos, reels, podcasts, or graphics
  • Prioritize quality, creativity, and storytelling
  • Might not have a large following
  • Sometimes work behind the scenes for brands, agencies, or other influencers

Content creators are artists. They know how to film, edit, write, animate, or shoot content that looks amazing. Their work adds value through visuals, storytelling, or entertainment, even if they don't have a strong personal brand or following.

Some popular names are Zach King, Bhuvam Bam, and Dhruv Rathee.

They produce high-quality content like ads, product tutorials, explainer videos, you name it.

The core difference lies in a few factors:

An influencer needs a community. A content creator needs creativity.

It’s possible (and quite common) for someone to be both. Many influencers start as content creators. Many creators eventually grow into influencers. But they don’t always overlap.

Who Should You Work With?

Confused about choosing between content creators or influencers for your brand? It depends on your goals. Here’s a simple way to decide who’s the better fit.

Choose an influencer if:

  • You want exposure to a specific audience
  • You’re focused on social proof and trust
  • You need someone to promote your product with their voice
  • You want clicks, sales, or new followers

Launching a new skincare line? Partner with a beauty influencer who can review it in a YouTube video or IG story. Their audience already trusts their skincare recommendations.

Go with a content creator if:

  • You need beautiful, high-quality content
  • Your brand voice is already strong, and you just need help producing assets
  • You want visuals for your website, ads, or social media
  • You prefer control over the messaging

Launching a product and need an explainer reel or product photo shoot? A content creator can deliver polished, on-brand material without necessarily posting it on their own profile.

Planning an influencer marketing campaign with either of them? Here’s what you can expect from them in real life:

What You Need Influencer Content Creator
Product review Posted on their account May not be part of the package
High-quality video production Possible, depends on their skills Often their main strength
Sponsored stories or reels Core service Optional or extra
Content reuse rights Usually needs to be negotiated Often included in deliverables
Strong community engagement Yes Not guaranteed

Can Someone Be Both?

Absolutely. In fact, most of the top social media figures started as creators. Over time, as their audience grew, they became influencers too.

For example:

  • MrBeast started his journey in 2012 by posting gameplay videos of Minecraft and Call of Duty. As his channel gained traction, people began watching him for viral stunts and philanthropic videos. And today, he’s become both a creator and an influencer.
  • Marques Brownless (MKBHD), a popular tech YouTuber, started by reviewing and posting tutorial videos while he was in high school. Over time, he built trust. Now, viewers buy gadgets based on his tech reviews. That’s influence at work.

If you’re lucky enough to find influencers who are both skilled and influential, you’ve struck gold. They can create beautiful content and convince people to take action.

But if you’re on a tight budget or have clear goals, you might need to choose.

Types of Influencers: Choosing the Best Fit for Your Brand

There’s a quick and easy way to understand this. Just look at the quick list below and you’ll get a basic idea.

Nano influencers:
Under 10K followers
Micro influencers:
10K to 100K followers
Macro influencers:
100K to 1 million followers
Mega influencers:
Over 1 million followers
That was a quick way to classify an influencer into a category. But if you dig deep, there’s a lot more than just the follower count. Let’s look into it.

1 Nano-influencer

They are a perfect example of good things coming in small packages. Nano-influencers typically have 1,000 to 10,000 followers and are known for their tight-knit communities. Their content feels personal, relatable, and often more trustworthy than what you’d get from someone with hundreds of thousands of fans.

These creators are everyday people, such as students, niche hobbyists, or small business owners. They post about their passions and genuinely connect with their audience. Though they don’t bring massive reach, nano-influencers are great for building genuine connections.

Nano-influencers do their job quite well, from actively replying to comments, sharing stories about their followers, and even meeting them in person.

Essentially, they’re like celebrities leading normal lives, making them more human and relatable.

For small brands or local businesses, nano-influencers are a smart starting point. Onboarding them offers these perks: they are budget-friendly, open to collaborations in exchange for free products, and accessible. Even for bigger brands, they work well for targeted micro-campaigns in specific regions or niches.

If your goal is trust, authenticity, higher sales and genuine buzz, these tiny-titans are worth collaborating with.

76.86% of all Instagram influencers are nano-influencers. So, there are many options in the influencer marketing industry. You just need to find the right influencers.

2 Micro-influencer

Usually, micro-influencers have between 10K and 100K followers. Their communities are larger than nano-influencers, but still tight enough to act on a request or command. That’s what makes them super-effective for brands aiming for both awareness and trust.

Their followers come to them for advice, reviews, and inspiration in that niche. Because of this, micro influencers often have a higher conversion rate than mega-celebrities.

From a brand perspective, micro influencers are a smart investment. They charge less and make fewer unreasonable demands, while offering excellent engagement. Collaboration is also easier since they’re the rising stars in a specific domain. Many are used to undertaking brand partnerships and understand how to create content that aligns with your goals while still sounding authentic.

Need results without draining your marketing budget? These goldilocks influencers make up 18.23% of all Insta influencer accounts and are your go-to choice in your field of interest.

Need a perfect product launch pitch or dazzling discount code campaign? They’re perfect.

And the best part? You can onboard multiple micro influencers across different niches and you’ll still save money and expand your reach without compromising credibility.

Micro-influencers focus on organic growth, so collaborating with them gives you the best ROI.

3 Macro-influencer

Here comes the big fish. Macro-influencers have follower counts ranging from 100K to 1 million. They are often well-established in their field, like popular YouTubers, top-tier bloggers, or IG personalities with years of consistent content.

With their larger audiences and the ability to reach many through their top-tier voices, you get massive visibility.

A single post on their account and you can get thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) of eyeballs. That’s like a massive shoutout. Macro-influencers are ideal for creating hype, building brand authority, and giving your product a polished, professional touch.

But there’s a catch. As their audience grows, engagement tends to dip. It’s inevitable because you can’t keep everyone happy.

Though the reach is impressive, their connection with followers might not be as personal as what you’d get from niche creators. People follow them for content, not always for conversation.

Partnering with macro influencers can be costly. It’s like reaching out to a celebrity. You’ll likely need a large budget, but you also get a higher production quality, polished posts, and access to a broader audience.

If your brand is ready to scale, launch nationwide influencer marketing campaigns, or boost your image in a crowded market, these Big-Ms are a strong bet.

Just make sure their content and target audience align closely with your values, or the reach won’t mean much.

4 Mega-influencer

And here comes the elite voices. Mega influencers are social media celebs. They boast over a million followers and have star power that extends far beyond one platform.

This list includes film stars, athletes, pop artists, and reality TV personalities who also dominate TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.

With such a giant name, you’re getting serious exposure. One post means thousands of eyeballs. If you’re after viral reach, get an A-lister on board.

Big brands often collab with these influencers during major product launches, global influencer campaigns, or seasonal promotions.

Of course, all that attention comes at a cost, literally.

These influencers charge top dollar. And while the exposure is huge, the engagement might not be as deep as expected. Why would a fitness influencer’s audience engage with a pizza store discount campaign.

So, choose wisely. If their personal brand or reputation clashes with yours, it can do more harm than good. Always do your homework.

5 Steps to Find Influencers for Your Brand

Influencer marketing works best. It’s so effective that its market size is going to reach $32.55 billion in 2025. This is a 3x growth compared to 2020, when the market size was $9.7 billion. That’s a massive growth in just five years. But the catch is: you must have a clear plan.

Random picking based on their follower count? It won’t get you far.

To truly connect with your target audience and drive real results, you need a step-by-step strategy, like the one shared below.

Moral of the story: Don’t be the broccoli. Be the pizza. 🍕

We all know that nothing works without chasing. Right?

So follow up politely if there’s no reply after 4-5 days. Influencers receive tons of messages and sometimes miss a few.

Top Influencer Marketing Tools to Find Influencers

You can't win a battle with your bare hands. Likewise, to hunt and collab with the right influencers, you need some influencer marketing tools to cut short the process.

From detailed filters to real-time analytics, these influencer marketing platforms help you find creators who truly match your brand in no time.

Heepsy

Heepsy is great for discovering YouTube and Instagram influencers. You can filter by follower count, engagement rate, location, niche, and more. It’s beginner-friendly, ideal for SMBs, and even comes with a free plan.

Best for: Micro and nano influencer research.

Standout feature: Real audience authenticity check.

CollabX

Finding influencers seems like an uphill battle, does it? It won’t with CollabX. With this influencer marketing platform, you can find top voices who align with your niche, values, and campaign goals. The platform offers detailed audience insights, a performance-first approach, and steady earnings.

To create campaigns that drive SMART results, this one is your best bet.

Best for: Brands that want quality over quantity.

Standout feature: Built-in collaboration tools, real-time analytics, and fraud prevention.

Upfluence

Upfluence combines influencer discovery with campaign management. It lets you find influencers, reach out, and track performance, all in one place. You can even pull data from your existing customers to see if they’re potential influencers.

Best for: eCommerce brands and agencies.

Standout feature: Shopify, WooCommerce, and other eCommerce platform integration.

Modash

Modash works well for brands looking to scale. It supports Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with advanced filters and audience analysis. Before reaching out, you can check for fake followers and get engagement insights.

Best for: Teams managing multiple influencer marketing campaigns.

Standout feature: Real-time influencer monitoring.

BuzzSumo

While BuzzSumo is often used for content research, it’s also great for spotting tastemakers and trendbreakers on Facebook, X, YouTube, and TikTok. This tool is ideal for brands focused on blog and SEO-driven content.

Best for: Content marketers and PR teams.

Standout feature: Find influencers based on content shares and backlinks.

Instagram Creator Marketplace

If you’re after Instagram influencers, try their built-in Creator Marketplace. It’s free, and you can filter by niche, audience size, and engagement.

Best for: Brands with a strong Instagram presence.

Standout feature: Direct access to Instagram-approved creators.

These influencer marketing tools won’t replace research and relationship-building, but they’ll help you speed things up and onboard the right voice. Use them to narrow your list, then run a manual check to ensure each creator feels like the right fit.

How to Find Influencers: Expert Tips

Choosing an influencer based on the follower count is like going on a blind date. It doesn’t always work well. It’s about matching your brand with people who can authentically speak to your audience, boost credibility, and actually move the needle.

Know Who You’re Trying to Reach

Before you find influencers, define your audience clearly. You can’t find the right messenger unless you know who the message is for.

Ask yourself:

  • What age group are you targeting?
  • What are their interests, hobbies, or values?
  • Which social media platforms do they use the most?
  • What type of content do they respond to? Is it reels, YouTube tutorials, stories, or long-form blogs?

Pro tip: Create a simple audience persona that captures key traits of your audience demographics, like goals and buying habits. Use this as a reference throughout your influencer search.

Don’t Ignore Niche Communities

Bigger isn’t always better. Often, smaller niche communities drive more engagement and trust. Influencers in these spaces speak directly to people already interested in your product or service type.

Selling vegan protein bars? A niche wellness creator with 10K loyal followers will likely outperform a fashion influencer with 500K followers. Why? Because they’re speaking to the right people. That’s just sound judgment.

TikTok:

  • Search trending hashtags
  • Find influencers through the “Creator Marketplace” if you have access

Quick tip: When you find one good influencer, check their comments and previous influencer marketing campaigns. Often, you’ll discover more creators in the same space.

Always look beyond follower count. A high follower number doesn’t guarantee impact. You need to dig deeper to evaluate an influencer’s actual influence.

Here’s what to check:

Factor What to Look For
Engagement rate At least 2-5% is decent. Higher is better.
Audience authenticity Scan the comments. Are they real, thoughtful replies or just emojis and bots?
Content quality Clear visuals, thoughtful captions, and consistency matter.
Brand alignment Does their tone and vibe match your brand voice?
Past collaborations Look at previous influencer marketing collabs. Did they feel natural or overly sponsored?

Use free influencer marketing tools like HypeAuditor, Social Blade, or Not Just Analytics to run a quick check on performance and authenticity.

Build Relationships Before Pitching

Influencers are people, not billboards. Cold emails with generic brand pitches often end up ignored or deleted. Want to make an impression? Do this:

  • Follow them first
  • Like and comment on a few posts
  • Reply to their stories with genuine compliments
  • Share their content if it makes sense for your brand

After a week or two of engagement, send a personalized message or email. But don’t act like an intimidating salesman. Mention specific things you liked about their content. Show them that you actually care about their work, not just their reach.

Have a Clear Offer Ready

When you finally reach out, keep your pitch clean and direct. Influencers get tons of vague messages like “Let’s collab!” Those go nowhere.

Instead, be specific:

  • Who you are
  • What your brand does
  • Why you think they’re a great fit
  • What kind of influencer marketing campaign you’re planning (review, giveaway, product placement, etc)
  • Timeline and deliverables
  • Compensation (be clear on whether it’s paid, gifted, or affiliate-based)

Example pitch (simplified)

Hi [Name],

I’m [Your Name] from [Brand Name]. We’re big fans of your content on [Topic]. Your recent reel on [X] really stood out.

We’re launching a new line of [Product] and think your audience would love it. Would you be open to a [type of influencer marketing campaign] next month?

Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll send the details.

Best,

[Your Name]

Use Influencer Marketing Tools (if Budget Allows)

If you’re managing multiple influencer marketing campaigns or working at scale, these influencer marketing platforms can save you hours of manual search.

Here are a few worth exploring:

Tool What It Does
Upfluence Filters influencers by audience, size, topic, region, etc.
CollabX Connects you with top voices that fit like a glove with your brand messaging for better results
Heepsy Great for small to medium-sized brands
CreatorIQ Used by big brands for influencer marketing campaign tracking and discovery
BuzzSumo Helpful in finding top sharers in your niche
Modash Good if you want to find influencers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

These influencer marketing platforms often include built-in analytics so you can compare influencers side by side.

Prioritize Alignment Over Popularity

Some influencers look great on paper but won’t drive meaningful results. A creator might be fun to watch but lack influence in your product category.

So always ask:

  • Would their audience actually care about your brand?
  • Do they use similar products already?
  • Do they genuinely seem to influence behavior or just entertain?

A well-matched, medium-sized influencer can easily outperform a bigger one if their audience trusts them and fits your ideal customer profile.

Consider Influencer Whitelisting or Content Licensing

Once you’ve found a great influencer, you can extend the reach of their content even further through:

  • Whitelisting: Running paid ads through their social handle
  • Licensing: Using their content on your own channels or website

These hacks often outperform traditional ads because the content feels more human and less salesy. Just make sure you get clear permission and terms in writing.

Keep Testing and Refining

Influencer marketing is like fishing. You rarely get a lunker on the first try. You’ll have to keep trying for the best fit. One creator might crush it. Another might fall flat. That’s part of the process:

Track things like:

  • Engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares)
  • Click-through rates
  • Follower growth
  • Sales or conversions
  • Discount code redemptions

Use this data to improve future influencer marketing campaigns. Over time, you’ll build a shortlist of influencers for your brand who can deliver real value.

FAQs

Let’s address some common queries to clarify doubts around influencer marketing.

Why is finding the right influencer so important?

Because the right influencers bring the right results, picking the right one is the key step in this journey. The right and relevant influencers connect you to an audience that trusts their voice, boosting your credibility. A mismatch can waste your budget and miss the mark with your target crowd.

The right influencer aligns with your values, speaks to your audience, and drives real engagement.

81% of consumers trust their recommendations. So their reputation matters.

A good fit amplifies your message, sparks conversations, and builds trust, turning those random scrollers into buyers.

Where can you find influencers for free?

Hunting for relevant influencers doesn’t mean you’ll need a hefty budget and loads of money.

Start free. Explore social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Search hashtags related to your niche to spot active voices. Check out your followers; some might already be micro-influencers.

Explore X posts for trending creators talking about your industry. Join niche communities on Reddit or Discord to find influencers who are passionate.

Look at your competitors’ pages to see who they’re working with. DMs are your friend; reach out directly. It’s all about digging into your niche and building real connections without spending like crazy.

Where can I source social media influencers?

The short and sweet answer is Social Media. There are over 127 million influencers already on social media. To find influencers, it’s a goldmine that’s open for all and for free.

For lifestyle and product-focused creators, Instagram and TikTok are hot spots. YouTube is apt for in-depth content like reviews or tutorials. X is perfect for real-time trends and thought leaders. LinkedIn? That’s great for professional or B2B influencers.

Use platform search tools with keywords or hashtags tied to your brand. Check out follower comments on competitor posts to spot engaged influencers.

Don’t sleep on niche influencer marketing platforms like Twitch for gaming or Pinterest for DIY. Get curious, scroll smart, and you’ll find the right influencers for your brand. It’s all about matching that wavelength.

What are the main types of influencers?

Influencers have different strengths, or it’s better to say scope and areas of influence. You can classify them into different categories based on their follower counts:

  • Nano influencers have under 10,000 followers
  • Micro influencers have 10,000 to 100,000 followers
  • Macro influencers can have 100,000 to a million followers
  • Mega influencers come with over a million followers

Going with a big name isn’t always a good deal. Each type fits different goals. Nano for trust, micro for balance, macro for reach, and mega for star power. Pick the one that matches your brand’s needs and budget.

How do I source an influencer for my product or service?

Know your brand’s vibe like the back of your hand. Define your audience and goals, then find influencers on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube using relevant hashtags or keywords.

Check who’s already talking about your industry on X or niche forums. Look at your followers; some might be perfect fits.

As already said, you don’t need to invest in costly influencer marketing platforms with hefty subscription fees to partner with the right influencer. Use free tools like Google to scout blogs or videos in your niche. If you've got nothing for free, spend some dollars on the right tool.

Reach out with a clear pitch that doesn’t look like an amateur sales guy’s script.

Explaining why your product clicks with their audience. Be authentic, keep it simple, and focus on building a partnership that feels authentic and exciting.

Where do I find small influencers?

Small influencers are hidden gems. But you don’t need a shovel or rock hammer to find them. They’re easy to scout.

Start on Instagram or TikTok by searching hashtags tied to your niche. Check out local or niche-specific X posts to find influencers with smaller, engaged audiences.

These creators are approachable, authentic, and often eager to collaborate without breaking your budget.

How can I screen influencers?

Screening influencers is like picking a teammate. Does their content align with your brand’s values and vibe? Are they getting genuine engagement? The comments should feel real, not bot-written like “Amazing video🔥🔥🔥🔥 .”

Dive into their audience demographics to ensure they match your target. Use influencer marketing platforms like Social Blade to spot fake followers. Read their captions and comments for authenticity.

Found one? Have a quick chat to gauge their enthusiasm. Trust your gut, but keep your eyes and ears open. A genuine influencer will feel like a natural fit.