3 Ways to Find Social Media Influencers

You want to collaborate with influencers and start a campaign to promote your products, but you don’t know where to start. Don’t worry with this article you will learn the three most popular ways to find influencers.

You might think you can find influencers by simply opening your chosen social app. And while it’s easy enough to find any old influencer on social media, it can be difficult to find the ones that will add real value to your company. 

It’s critical that you take some time to look at all the profiles you come across and make sure that they are aligned with your brand. You also want to do a fake followers check and make sure the influencers have good performance metrics.

So where can you look for social media influencers? There are 3 key ways to do this, so let’s examine each.

One - Search on social media using brand mentions, hashtags and keywords

This strategy is free, although it costs you the most work. First, check your brand mentions to see if any influencers are tagging you in their content. Influencers may be trying to get your brand’s attention because they are interested in collaborating with you. You can do this with your followers, too. You can always have a look at the rankings like de top instagram influencers, or the most followed influencers in your niche.

Next, check out your branded hashtags to see if any influencers are using them in their content. You can also prepare a list of hashtags related to your brand, products, and industry. See who is creating content under those tags, and if there are any profiles that look like a good fit for your campaign.

Some networks also let you search for keywords. If you want to find TikTok influencers, for example, you can type keywords into the network’s Discover page to see the creators who post content related to them. 

It’s time-consuming and sometimes frustrating, but it is possible to find the right influencers for your campaign directly on social media. But remember, you should always carefully examine any profile you are interested in, and if you’re only using social media, you’ll have to ask influencers for their media kits, in order to avoid fake influencers who don’t have a real audience.

Two - Subscribe to an influencer discovery tool

An influencer discovery tool helps you find influencers using a search engine-style software. You can search by using filters for location or category, as well as engagement rate or total videos. You can also input keywords or search for specific influencer handles.

These platforms also have analytics that take the place of an influencer’s media kit. This way, you save time and don’t have to wait for influencers to provide you with the data necessary for your analysis. 

Discovery tools are a middle of the road option. You do have to pay, but they’re cheaper than hiring agencies. And you still have to manage the overall campaign, but they make your influencer discovery process much more efficient.

Let’s see some examples.

Heepsy

• Advantages:  Its search engine has a lot of filters that will let you find what you are looking for faster and easier. Their platform is super easy to use, so if you are just starting in influencer marketing you will love Heepsy. With their blog you will have all the resources you will need to start your first campaign and with the platform you will find Instagram influencers, youtubers, tiktok influencers and twitch streamers for your campaign in seconds. 
• Disadvantages: You can’t contact the influencers though their platform, but you can have the data and contact them through email or DM. Which gives you total control of the negotiation. Also, usually the influencer marketing platforms don't give you this possibility. 

Hypeauditor

• Advantages: One of the biggest advantages of Hypeauditor, is that it's an all-in-one solution, that means you'll be able to find, analyze and run the campaign through the platform. The only thing which is not included in their platform is the negotiation, which you have to do by email or DM.
• Disadvantages: Their main disadvantage is that their prize depends on the services you choose from their platform, so if you were choosing Hypeauditor because of the advantage mentioned before, get ready to pay their maximum prize, which is a bit high. 

Aspire IQ

• Advantages: Aspire IQ, is an all-in-one solution, like Hypeauditor. They make the automation process super easy. Also you can integrate shopify to your account and see how the sales are increasing with the campaigns.
• Disadvantages: As well as the automation process was super smooth the onboarding process, it takes too long and is not a very smooth process. You must onboard all the influencers that are not already registered in their platform. The Aspireiq login is difficult to spot, so the influencers take their time until they are finally onboard.

Ninja Outreach

• Advantages: The main difference between the platforms we have talked about and Ninja Outreach is that it allows you to contact influencers directly from their platform. Their email templates are very cool and you can learn a lot about how to contact influencers, how to negotiate with them and how to speak with them.
• Disadvantages: They are the best platform to contact influencers, but their search engine is not as good as you would expected.They would need more data to have all the information brands need about influencers before contacting them.

Upfluence

• Advantages: Upfluence lets you pay influencers within their platform.You can integrate Upfluence with ecommerce stores and give you the possibility to send influencers your product for reviews, or as payment. 
• Disadvantages: Their search engine makes mistakes and gives you some mistaken results when you are searching for some specific categories. 

Three - Get an agency to do it for you

Hiring an influencer marketing agency means the least amount of work for you. But it’s also the most expensive option. 

An agency will handle your entire campaign, from discovery to final reports. The agency will find influencers, vet their profiles, and then present a portfolio of options and help you choose the best.

They’ll also negotiate with influencers, handle admin tasks like payments, and monitor the campaign content as influencers post. And at the end of the campaign, they’ll collect results and report on what you’ve achieved.

Conclusion

Social media, influencer discovery tools, and agencies can help you find influencers for your business’s campaigns. And influencer marketing is a great way of connecting with people who will help you grow your brand and increase revenue.

Just remember, it is important to carefully vet influencer profiles prior to collaborating. Do a fake follower check, and make sure the influencer has healthy performance-related statistics. And it goes without saying that in order to succeed, influencers must align with your brand’s mission and values.