In today’s digital world, influencer marketing is a powerful tool. It can build brand awareness, boost engagement, and drive conversions. But the key to successful influencer marketing is finding the right influencers. They must resonate with your brand’s target audience.
At Get Hyped, we specialize in end-to-end influencer marketing. We know how to source, vet, and engage influencers to deliver results. Here, we share 10 strategies backed by experts. We use them to help top brands leverage influencer marketing.
Table of Contents
1. Use Social Media Platforms to Find Influencers
Finding the right influencers often starts on the very platforms where they connect with their audience. Social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have search functions for this. Here’s how to maximize these tools:
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- Instagram: Look beyond follower count. Check influencer engagement by examining likes, comments, and shares. Dive into their stories and highlights to understand their brand voice, values, and how they connect with followers. Use industry-specific hashtags (e.g., #EcoFashion, #HealthyLiving). They can help you find influencers who are speaking to your target audience.
- TikTok: With TikTok’s emphasis on discovery, it’s a goldmine for finding fresh and authentic influencers. Explore TikTok’s “Discover” page and use keywords that align with your brand’s values. TikTok fosters communities with strong engagement. So, it’s perfect for brands seeking Gen Z and Millennial attention.
- YouTube: As the platform for long-form video content, YouTube is ideal if your brand needs in-depth product reviews or tutorials. Search for niche keywords, like “organic skincare routines.” You’ll find creators who are passionate about your space. They’ll create deeper, more engaging content.
Expert Insight: At Get Hyped, we use social platforms daily. We seek influencers who embody our clients’ brand values. This ensures our campaigns align with their vision. We want to reach people and resonate with them.
2. Search for Influencers Using Hashtags
Niche-specific hashtags are one of the most effective ways to uncover influencers organically. Hashtags are like digital word-of-mouth. They reveal influencers already discussing your niche.
For example:
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- If your brand is in wellness, explore hashtags like #WellnessJourney or #MindfulEating. They can help you find influencers promoting these ideas.
- You can find potential influencers by analyzing popular posts in these hashtags. Then, DM them or engage with their content to connect.
This strategy is effective. It helps you find influencers who engage with an audience like your target customers.
Pro Tip: At Get Hyped, we use a systematic hashtag approach to find influencers with strong engagement rates. A filter for specific follower counts and engagement metrics streamlines influencer discovery.
3. Use Google to Find Curated Influencer Lists
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective! A quick Google search for “top [industry] influencers on [platform]” can find many blogs with curated lists of influencers.
This method is great for brands that are starting out or looking for top-level influencer insights. These blog posts often categorize influencers (e.g., wellness, beauty, tech). They detail follower counts, engagement rates, and notable campaigns.
How to Leverage Curated Lists:
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- Search for a list (e.g., “Top Food Influencers on Instagram 2024”) and cross-reference it with your brand’s requirements.
- Use the insights provided (such as follower size, engagement, and niche) to build a list of influencers who might align with your goals.
- Go further and check the blogs. Many link to influencer profiles and contacts.
Expert Strategy: At Get Hyped, we use curated lists. They help us find influencers and understand what content resonates with niche audiences. This approach ensures we choose influencers with proven impact. It boosts our clients’ chances of success.
4. Leverage Free Influencer Search Tools
Not all influencer discovery has to come at a cost. For small or new brands in influencer marketing, several free tools can help. They provide insights into potential influencer partnerships.
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- HypeAuditor provides key insights. It shows audience quality and engagement metrics. This helps you find real, authentic influencers.
- Influence.co lets influencers showcase their profiles. It shows their style, audience, and collaboration interests.
- Upfluence (Chrome Extension) allows you to access influencer data while browsing social media. This enables quick, on-the-spot assessments.
Expert Takeaway: Free tools offer an affordable way to gauge an influencer’s fit without any upfront investment. At Get Hyped, we recommend starting with these tools for brands new to influencer marketing. These platforms provide a good introduction. They help you learn about influencer metrics and engagement analysis.
5. Use Paid Influencer SaaS Tools for Deeper Insights
When brands are ready to scale, paid influencer search platforms can help. They offer powerful tools and analytics that enhance discovery. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best options:
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- Modash: Has a user-friendly interface and customizable searches. Brands can find influencers by filtering by location, demographics, and more.
- CreatorIQ: Great analytics, tracking, and reporting tools. They are perfect for enterprise brands seeking deep influencer insights.
- Maverick, Grin, and AspireIQ: These platforms manage campaigns end-to-end. You can find influencers, manage contracts, payments, content approvals, and analytics in one place.
Pro Tip: At Get Hyped, we use paid tools to ensure that every influencer meets our clients’ specific criteria. This includes brand alignment, audience relevance, and engagement quality. Our expertise, plus these tools, lets us deliver targeted, complete influencer lists.
6. Discover Influencers through Creator Marketplaces
Creator marketplaces connect brands with influencers and creators. They provide a simple way to find influencers. Here’s what to know about free and paid options:
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- TikTok Creator Marketplace: It’s free and accessible. It’s a top choice for finding TikTok influencers at various levels. You can search by niche, reach, and other criteria to find the perfect fit for your campaign.
- Paid Creator Marketplaces: Platforms like AspireIQ give brands exclusive access to vetted, opted-in influencers. This ensures the influencers’ authenticity and engagement.
Why Get Hyped Uses This Approach: Our team knows creator marketplaces. We can easily identify influencers with a history of success and brand collaborations.
7. Collaborate with SaaS Tool Agencies
SaaS tool agencies combine software solutions with managed services to give brands the best of both worlds. Agencies like Maverick provide campaign management tools. They can also run campaigns for brands. This includes influencer negotiations, content planning, and reporting.
Expert Insight: We often partner with SaaS agencies for brands wanting a partially outsourced approach. We use their tools to support campaign logistics so our team can focus on creative strategy and influencer alignment.
8. Partner with Talent Agencies for Niche Influencers
Talent agencies represent and manage influencers. This can make it easy for brands to find high-quality influencers in a particular niche. Here’s what to keep in mind:
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- Talent agencies can connect brands with influencers in specific industries, like tech or beauty.
- Working with talent agencies often costs more due to their fees. But, it gives access to influencers with proven experience.
9. Work with a Full-Service Influencer Marketing Agency
Looking for a fully outsourced influencer marketing solution? At Get Hyped, we take a full-service approach to influencer marketing. We handle every step, from strategy to content review, tracking engagement, and reporting.
A full-service agency gives brands a dedicated team of experts. They have experience in managing influencer campaigns, analyzing audiences, and optimizing campaigns. We ensure that each partnership aligns with your brand’s values and audience goals for measurable results.
10. Use AI to Streamline Influencer Discovery
AI tools like ChatGPT help brands find influencers. They analyze factors like niche, engagement, and follower demographics. AI enables faster searches and new ways to analyze and categorize influencer data. It also provides quick insights.
Expert Tip: AI tools are useful. But, successful influencer marketing needs experience and a strategic fit with brand goals. At Get Hyped, we use AI as a support tool. It supplements our expertise to ensure each influencer partnership delivers results.
Ready to Find Influencers Who Drive Results?
At Get Hyped, we specialize in identifying and managing influencer partnerships to help brands succeed. Our team is here to guide you. Whether you’re new to influencer marketing or want to scale your efforts. Contact us today to learn how we can help you find the right influencers and build campaigns that drive real results.
