Influencers are not just part of the marketing mix anymore, they’re often the most direct, human, and persuasive way to reach real audiences. But spoiler alert: working with influencers isn’t as simple as sending free stuff and crossing your fingers for a reel.
If you want results, the kind that move the needle, you need to approach influencer marketing with strategy, clarity, and respect for the creator’s craft. Here's how to do it right, without falling into the usual traps.
Set clear goals before you choose an influencer
Before scrolling through profiles or asking around for “cool influencers,” ask yourself one thing: What are you actually trying to achieve?
Brand awareness? → Focus on reach and storytelling
Website traffic? → Prioritize links and clear CTAs
Sales? → Go for trusted voices with conversion power
Content creation? → Look for high-quality aesthetics and consistency
Define your goal first. It’ll save you money, time, and a lot of back-and-forth emails.
Look beyond follower count, focus on real influence
We’ll say it louder: follower count is not a strategy. Anyone can go viral once. What matters is the relationship they’ve built with their audience. Look for:
Genuine engagement (real comments > fire emojis)
Brand alignment (do they talk your language?)
Content quality (would you post it on your feed?)
Community fit (are these your people?)
Micro-influencers (10K–50K followers) are often the heroes of performance-driven campaigns. They have real audiences and real influence.
We’ve also put together a dedicated guide featuring our top recommended tools to discover the right influencers for your brand.
Build professional and friendly partnerships
The best results come when you give guidance, not a script. You’re hiring a creator, not a human megaphone. So don’t micromanage every frame. Instead:
Give them a solid brief (goals, message, vibe)
Be clear on deliverables and deadlines
Set expectations on rights and reposting
Most importantly? Give them creative freedom. They know what works for their audience better than anyone
Repurpose influencer content for more ROI
A single post won’t build your brand. What will? Relationships. Continuity. Creative alignment. Maximize every campaign:
Repurpose their content on your channels
Use top-performing posts for paid media
Build ongoing collaborations with creators who get you
Measure what matters: KPIs for influencer campaigns
Not every campaign will drive direct sales, and that’s okay. But every campaign should be measured.
Depending on your goal, you might track:
Reach and impressions (awareness)
Clicks, traffic, and time on site (interest)
Use of promo codes or affiliate links (conversion)
Engagement rates (community)
Saved content, DMs, shares (trust)
And don’t forget qualitative data: screenshots, standout comments, or user feedback can reveal more than numbers ever will.
Create long-term relationships with influencers
Influencer marketing isn’t a sprint, it’s a series.
When creators show up repeatedly for a brand, it builds familiarity. That repetition builds credibility. And credibility drives action.
Instead of one-off posts, consider:
Ongoing ambassador programs
Series-based collaborations (monthly reels, seasonal drops)
Creators as co-creators not just promoters
Influencers are a channel, but also people
At the end of the day, working with influencers is about humans connecting with humans. Choose wisely, collaborate intentionally, and respect the craft. Do that, and influencer marketing stops being a gamble, and becomes one of your most powerful tools.
At LOUD, we’ve been building influencer strategies long before it became mainstream, helping brands connect with the right voices, co-create standout content, and turn one-off collabs into long-term relationships that drive real business.
If you’re ready to elevate your influencer marketing game, let’s talk.
