The people in your community want and need to feel connected to the businesses they support, now more than ever, and that’s where local influencers come in. For a small business like yours, relationships and trust are a driving force and shouldn’t be overlooked as it’s often a way to bring in more customers.

While we preach social media and lead generation, we also know that incentivizing your small business to work with neighborhood voices who already have their community’s trust can create more meaningful connections and lead to real growth. And we implement exactly that into our own clients’ strategies to make it easier and faster to create those relationships, without feeling forced.

Why Local Influencers Work for a Small Business

Think about it… who do you trust more? A big celebrity on Instagram promoting a product they’ve never used, or a local mom, coach, or foodie who actually shops and lives in your community? Local influencers fall into the second category. They’re relatable, approachable, and often already trusted by your target audience.

Instead of aiming for the flashy millions of followers, micro-influencers have smaller and often the highest engaged audiences and can spark conversations that lead directly to customers walking through your door.

Finding the Right Influencers

The key isn’t just working with any influencer; it’s finding people whose values and audiences align with yours. For example, if you own a home services company, you might partner with a local real estate agent or home improvement blogger. If you run a restaurant, teaming up with foodies in your area makes sense. So consider this: who can I reach for my small business to thrive?

A great tip is to start by checking hashtags tied to your city, following local event pages, or asking your customers who they follow online. You’ll be surprised at how many influential voices are already around you.

Building Authentic Partnerships

Partnerships are a relationship and should feel natural from the start. Instead of just paying someone to post about your business, invite them in for an experience: let them try your product, tour your space, or see your service in action – and remember to make it a great experience for them too. Authentic storytelling will always outperform a copy-and-paste promotional post.

Remember, micro-influencers care deeply about their audience’s trust, and you should too. Partner with them and brainstorm content that feels personal, not just promotional.

Measuring Success Beyond Likes

It’s easy to get distracted by likes and comments, but the real question is: Did this partnership bring in leads or customers? Use trackable links, special promo codes, or even ask new customers how they heard about you. This way, you can connect influencer activity directly to results, not just social buzz.

At Fasturtle, we’ve tied influencer campaigns into PPC and retargeting strategies to make sure every impression has a chance to convert.

Making Influencers Part of Your Small Business Strategy

Local influencers aren’t a silver bullet, but they can be a powerful part of your marketing mix when paired with SEO, paid ads, and strong social media. Done right, these partnerships help your brand feel approachable, authentic, and trusted in your community.

If you’re ready to start exploring influencer partnerships that actually move the needle, contact Fasturtle and let’s talk strategy with a free consultation.