How to Reach Out to Influencers as a Small Business

Working with influencers can be a smart way for small businesses to reach more people and boost sales. By teaming up with the right influencers, you can introduce your brand to new audiences without spending a lot of money.

In this guide, we'll walk you through how to reach out to influencers as a small business and the best way to do it. Let's start.

Why Influencer Marketing Helps Small Businesses

Working with influencers can give small businesses a big boost. It’s a smart way to get noticed, build trust, and attract new customers. Here’s why it works so well:

More People Learn About Your Brand

Influencers introduce your business to people who may have never heard of you before. Their posts, stories, or videos can quickly put your brand in front of thousands — or even millions — of potential customers.

For example:

• A local food blogger sharing your restaurant’s dishes can inspire their followers to visit.
• A fitness coach recommending your workout gear can bring in health-conscious shoppers.
• A travel influencer featuring your hotel can encourage more bookings.

This kind of exposure can be hard to achieve with ads alone, especially for smaller businesses.

People Trust Influencer Recommendations

Influencers build strong connections with their audience. Their followers often see them as friends, mentors, or role models. Because of this, people are more likely to trust an influencer’s opinion compared to a traditional ad.

According to studies, 92% of consumers trust influencer recommendations more than advertisements or celebrity endorsements. This makes influencer marketing one of the most powerful ways to earn trust.

It’s Affordable for Small Businesses

Many small businesses assume influencer marketing is expensive, but that’s not always true. While big influencers can charge thousands of dollars per post, micro-influencers (with 10,000 to 50,000 followers) often charge way less.

Some micro-influencers are willing to promote products in exchange for:

• Sending free samples can be enough to spark interest.
• Many micro-influencers can charge reasonable rates for their content.
• Exclusive perks such as discounts, special offers, or early access can also motivate influencers to collaborate.

This makes influencer marketing accessible even for businesses with limited budgets.

You Can Target the Right Audience

Influencers often focus on specific topics or interests. This makes it easier for small businesses to connect with the right audience.

For example:

• A skincare brand can work with beauty influencers who attract makeup lovers.
• A local coffee shop can partner with food bloggers who share their favorite dining spots.
• A tech brand can reach gamers by working with gaming influencers.

Types of Influencers

Not all influencers are the same. They vary in audience size, content style, and how they engage with their followers. As a small business, knowing the different types of influencers can help you decide who’s the best fit for your goals.

Here are the main types of influencers to consider:

Nano-Influencers (1,000 to 10,000 followers)

Nano-influencers have small audiences, but they often have the strongest connections with their followers. Their content feels personal, and their recommendations are seen as honest and trustworthy.

This is best for:

• Small businesses looking for highly engaged audiences.
• Brands with limited budgets that want to offer free products or small payments.
• Local businesses that want to connect with people in their area.

Micro-Influencers (10,000 to 50,000 followers)

Micro-influencers are one of the best options for small businesses. They balance strong engagement with a larger audience size. Micro-influencers often focus on specific interests, such as fitness, beauty, or parenting.

This is best for:

• Small businesses that want to reach a niche audience.
• Companies looking for influencers who feel relatable to their followers.
• Brands that want affordable partnerships with influencers who still have a solid reach.

Macro-Influencers (50,000 to 500,000 followers)

Macro-influencers have a much larger reach but may have lower engagement rates compared to micro-influencers. They are often experienced content creators and may charge higher fees.

This is best for:

• Businesses with a larger budget that want to increase brand awareness.
• Companies launching new products that need attention quickly.
• Brands looking to reach a wide audience in a short amount of time.

Mega-Influencers (500,000+ followers)

Mega-influencers have massive followings and often include celebrities or well-known public figures. While they can generate huge exposure, their content often feels less personal, and their fees can be extremely high.

This is best for:

• Established brands with big marketing budgets.
• Businesses focused on global reach rather than niche markets.
• Companies launching major campaigns that require maximum visibility.

How to Reach Out to the Right Influencers as a Small Business

Reaching out to influencers can feel tricky, especially if you’re unsure how to start. The key is to find the right people, craft a clear message, and build a relationship that benefits both sides.

Identify the Right Influencers for Your Brand

Before contacting influencers, it’s important to choose people who fit your brand. Not every influencer will be the right match, even if they have a large following.

Here’s what to look for:

• Content style – Does their content match your brand’s tone and values?
• Audience demographics – Are their followers similar to your ideal customers?
• Engagement rate – Do they get meaningful likes, comments, or shares?
• Past brand partnerships – Have they promoted products like yours before?

For example, if you own a vegan café, a food blogger who focuses on plant-based meals would be a better choice than a general lifestyle influencer.

Search for Influencers on Popular Platforms

Different influencers shine on different platforms. Knowing where to look helps you find the best fit for your business.

Best platforms to find influencers:

• Instagram – Great for fashion, beauty, food, and lifestyle brands.
• TikTok – Ideal for creative content, viral trends, and younger audiences.
• YouTube – Perfect for product reviews, tutorials, or detailed content.
• X (formerly Twitter) – Useful for tech, finance, and industry discussions.

Search hashtags like #ad, #sponsored, or #gifted to find influencers actively working with brands.

Write a Personalized Outreach Message

When reaching out to influencers, don’t send a generic pitch. Influencers receive many requests, so a personalized message will help you stand out.

Here are some tips for writing your outreach message:

• Start with a compliment – Mention something specific you like about their content.
• Be clear about why you’re reaching out – Explain why you believe they’re a good fit for your brand.
• Share what’s in it for them – Offer free products, a paid partnership, or other benefits.

Getting the Right Influencers the Easy Way With Bulba

Finding the right influencers can be stressful. But with Bulba, you don't have to worry about this. Influencers themselves will reach out to you.

With Bulba’s inbound model, influencers send requests to visit your business. This means you don’t have to spend time reaching out or worrying about rejection. Instead, creators who are genuinely interested in your business will ask to collaborate.

Under our Campaigns page, you can freely set your eligibility filters for influencers such as:

• Minimum follower count
• Average view counts
• Influencer category (e.g., travel, lifestyle, food)

You can also filter out influencers based on their niche. You can do this by choosing which niche you want to target under "Categories."

You can add as many categories as you like. You can also choose to automatically accept applications from influencers who fully meet your criteria.

Add in other details about your campaign, and you're done! All you have to do is wait for influencers to see your campaign and send in their applications.

Turn Free Experiences Into Powerful Content with Bulba

Getting started with Bulba is easy, and it can make a big difference for your business.

For just £79/month, you can connect with influencers, get great content, and reach more customers — all without spending extra on ads.

Here’s why Bulba is worth trying:

• No contracts — You can cancel anytime.
• Guaranteed content — Influencers must post within three weeks.
• Full content rights — Reuse influencer posts on your social media, website, and more.

If you're a restaurant, hotel, or attraction looking to bring in more customers, Bulba can help.

Sign up for Bulba today and start getting noticed by influencers and new customers in no time!

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FAQs About How to Reach Out to Influencers as a Small Business

How can businesses find and connect with influencers?

Business owners can connect with social media influencers by using influencer analysis tools to assess audience engagement, content style, and marketing channels. Sending a personalized outreach message through direct messages or email is key to successful influencer outreach. Influencer marketing platforms also help manage influencer marketing campaigns and track results.

Bulba can help businesses with successful influencer outreach. Its inbound model helps businesses attract the right influencers while tracking audience engagement and improving influencer marketing campaigns.

How can small businesses connect with micro-influencers?

Small businesses can connect with micro-influencers by targeting those active in their marketing channels and aligned with their brand. Sending a clear outreach message improves the chances of successful influencer outreach. Influencer analysis tools help businesses identify influencers and run successful influencer campaigns.

Bulba makes it easy for micro-influencers to request partnerships directly. This approach attracts influencers who are already interested, improving influencer campaign results and outreach efforts.

How do you ask a company to work with you as an influencer?

When asking a company to collaborate, focus on being clear and direct. Introduce yourself, mention your social media platforms, and explain why you’d be a good fit for their influencer marketing campaigns. Highlight your audience engagement, previous influencer campaigns, and how your content aligns with their target audience. A well-written outreach message that shows you’ve researched their brand can leave a positive impression.

How to get brands to send you free stuff as an influencer?

To get brands to send you free products, build a strong social media presence and share content that attracts their attention. Engage with their social media channels, comment on their posts, and tag them when you mention their products. This shows your interest and makes your outreach message more genuine. Once you’ve built some connections, pitch a collaboration by explaining how featuring their product can benefit both you and their influencer marketing efforts. You can also join an influencer program to make it easy for you to get started.