Have you ever been scrolling Instagram and suddenly gotten really interested in a product an influencer was talking about, so much that you decided to check it out? The next thing you know, you are off Instagram and online shopping, trying to find Instagram influencers who can help you make the right choices. You also have approximately six other things in your shopping cart that you just realized you can’t live without.
💡 Read Creating a Marketing Strategy that Works: Benefits, Steps, Tools
Congratulations, my friend, you have participated in a very effective Instagram marketing campaign through an influencer! The question now might be, how do you find effective influencers for your brand? Where are they?
Instagram has a massive sea of people, with more than 2 billion active users. In 2023, the average user spends more than 30 minutes daily on the app, so finding out how to best reach your users through Instagram is essential.
This article will look into 10 of the most effective ways to find Instagram influencers who will bring a unique set of followers looking at your brand.
Let’s get started!
What Is Influencer Marketing?
Influencer marketing is like teaming up with your favorite online personalities. Through them, you spread the word about products or services. With their passionate followers, these influencers create authentic content. This content feels more like a friend’s recommendation than an ad.
Instagram influencers can share content through stories, reels, and posts. Regardless of how they decide to share the content, there is certainly a lot of opportunity to bring new attention to your brand.
The key thing is to find the right influencer for your brand. It’s all about finding one who will connect with your brand. Together, you can create authentic and engaging content that reaches your target audience. This will build trust and, subsequently, drive results. Just remember, transparency is key. So, everyone should know that the influencer marketing is a partnership with your brand.
Why Is Marketing On Instagram So Effective?
Marketing is all about reaching people where they are. There are a lot of people hanging out on Instagram, and they respond really well to marketing. Instagram data shows that 90% of people follow at least one business, and 70% of people surveyed like or don’t mind ads when watching videos on Instagram.
So, creating paid advertisements through Instagram is a great option, especially if you run multiple social media accounts for different brands. An even better option is to find an influencer or virtual influencer who will be a champion for your brand. An influencer collaboration can be anywhere from a single post to a series of posts and sponsorships. You and the influencer can decide what works best for both parties.
Ready to find where the best influencers are hiding?
10 Most Effective Ways To Find Instagram Influencers
With millions of Instagram users vying for influencer status, finding the right ones for your campaign can seem a little daunting. Here are 10 of the most effective ways to find Instagram Influencers.
#1 Leverage Hashtags
Search for relevant hashtags in your industry or niche. Explore the posts and profiles associated with these hashtags to identify potential influencers.
Read How To Start Tracking Hashtag Performance
For example, if you are a restaurant, you can probably check restaurant hashtags in your area and see if any of them recently had potential influencers. This will be a great place to start looking.
#2 Embrace AI-Powered Media Monitoring
The easiest way to find Instagram influencers in your niche is to tap into AI-powered media monitoring. If you have a way to know what people are saying about your brand, you will be able to find the people who already collaborate and are in tune with your brand.
With Determ, media monitoring became so much easier. You can focus your search with precise keyword setup and filters, and you do not have to wade through irrelevant mentions. Through Determ’s portal, you will know what was said and who you should be reaching out to be an Instagram influencer for your brand.
Read New in Determ: AI Assistant Synthia
#3 Check Instagram’s Suggested For You
Instagram’s algorithm suggests profiles similar to the ones you follow. So, if you are in a niche industry, chances are the Instagram algorithm has curated some content unique to the brand you work with.
This can be an excellent way to discover influencers with aligned interests and weed out anyone who would not really portray your brand as you would like them to.
Read 4 Examples Of Innovative Brand Partnerships with Influencers
#4 Engage With Your Audience
People are on the internet because they want to be interested in something. Be sure you provide content that is relevant to your viewers and in a format that is readily viewed. Studies show that reels get 22% more interaction than standard video postings, so be sure to brush up on your video marketing skills to create the best reels out there.
As you continue your search for the best Instagram influencers for your brand, pay attention to who engages with your brand. These individuals may already be your fans and could be great micro-influencers.
#5 Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Since Instagram is so big, it may be hard to stay attuned to who the current big names are in the industry. This is why keeping a finger on the industry pulse and attending industry-specific events or conferences is important.
This will help you keep an eye out for influencers who might be speaking or attending. Networking in person can provide valuable connections that go a step beyond a virtual encounter.
If you attend a conference or an industry event, you could consider creating a QR code that acts as a link to your Instagram account. This way when you meet someone you’d like to stay in touch with on Instagram, all they would need to do is scan the code to connect with your account. This simple code can be a part of your name badge lanyard or just an image on your phone.
#6 Follow Industry News And Blogs
Be sure you keep up with the Joneses. In other words, stay up to date with the latest news and trends in your industry through blogs and publications.
Influencers are often featured or quoted in such content, so it will give you key insight into who to contact.
Read 6 Steps on How to Monitor Trends & News in Your Industry
#7 Explore Followers From Your Competitors
Check out the followers of your competitors. Chances are, some of them are following your competitors because they are interested in your niche.
Exploring your competitor’s followers is a strategic approach that can yield insights and potentially uncover hidden opportunities in your influencer marketing efforts. They will be a targeted audience with a following similar to yours, so in a way, they are also pre-qualified leads.
This method provides a shortcut to finding potential influencers who can help boost your brand’s visibility and credibility on Instagram.
#8 Encourage Employee Advocacy
Your employees can be powerful brand advocates. Encourage them to share their experiences and insights related to your products or services on their personal Instagram accounts.
They already have a connection with your brand, which can foster trust among their followers.
Booking.com is a brand that really understood this concept and had some trendy tshirts created for their staff. By offering their staff some unique swag, they are empowering their employees to flaunt their brand.
So, think of something that will make your employees proud to have and offer them some awesome swag.
#9 Don’t Be Scared To Ask
Don’t hesitate to tap into your network for advice. Industry peers, colleagues, and contacts may have worked with influencers or know of individuals who are perfect for your brand.
Social media groups are also an excellent avenue to pursue recommendations. If you are in niche specific groups, consider gathering advice on the best influencers through that channel as well.
Recommendations often come with valuable insights and introductions to help you filter through some of your top options.
Read The Importance Of Instagram Customer Care
#10 Use Instagram Analytics
If you’ve upgraded to an Instagram business account, take full advantage of its analytics tools. Analyze the demographics and behavior of users who engage with your content.
These data can guide you toward influencers whose audiences align with your target demographic.
Read Instagram Sentiment Analysis
Final Thought On Effective Ways To Find Instagram Influencers
Once you’ve identified potential influencers, remember to vet them thoroughly. Check their engagement rates, authenticity, and the relevance of their audience to your brand. Building a strong relationship with influencers based on trust and collaboration is important for the success of your influencer marketing campaigns.
As you can see, finding the right Instagram influencers is easier than it may seem, especially when you combine these effective methods. Remember that influencer marketing is not just about numbers or generating assets; it’s about creating meaningful connections that connect with your target audience and ultimately drive your brand’s success on Instagram.
Want to know how to find Instagram influencers with Determ? Book a free demo and let our experts guide you through the process!
