How do you find an influencer who will authentically represent your brand?

Looking for an influencer and feel like it's a needle in a haystack? Expensive collaborations that don't deliver results, followers who don't respond, and content that feels artificial - we know this all too well.

There's nothing worse than investing in influencer marketing and then finding out that the output doesn't look natural, the brand is just another product on the belt and customers are left cold.

Today, I'm going to tell you how to avoid these traps and find an influencer who will actually feel your brand, not just promote it.

1. Do you know your brand?

First step? Look in the mirror. What's your brand vibe? What emotions do you want to evoke? Do you want to appeal to young trendsetters or luxury clientele? If you have a clear vision, it's easier to see who fits in.

2. Track engagement, not just the number of people watching

He may have hundreds of thousands of fans, but if he doesn't communicate with them, he won't do anything for you. A quality influencer builds a community, his followers trust him and actively interact with him. Check out the comments - are they honest? Is the influencer responding to them or just posting and disappearing?

3. Authentic content instead of paid advertising

You want your product to feel natural, not like another paid spot. Check out the influencer's older collaborations. Can he incorporate the product into his life, or is he just copying press releases? That will tell you a lot.

4. Values in the first place

An influencer is not just a marketing tool, it's a voice that speaks to people. Do his values align with yours? If he's promoting fast fashion while you're building on sustainability, it's not going to work. People will know insincerity on sight.

5. Pilot cooperation as a test

Before you commit to a long-term partnership, try a test campaign. Send them the product, give them space to show it in their own way and watch how they work with it. Do you feel like it's coming naturally? Great! If not, keep looking.

6. Intuition vs. data

Data is important, but not always decisive. If an influencer comes across as authentic and their audience responds, it's often more valuable than any analytics. That's why it's important to combine numbers with intuition and common sense.

Look for someone who resonates with your brand not only visually, but more importantly in terms of values. Watch the engagement, the way you communicate and be patient. Great influencers exist, you just need to find them.

Do you want to help with that? Get in touch and we'll work together to find an influencer who doesn't just promote your brand, but actually lives it.