6 Amazing Tips to Find Influencers for Your Brand (For Free)

You can find influencers for your brand using free tools, social search features, and smart, simple methods like analyzing hashtags, searching by photo, or engaging with your existing followers.

Finding influencers doesn’t need a massive budget or fancy tools. It’s about understanding what to look for, where, and how to establish connections. Let’s break down simple, creative, and free ways to find influencers for your brand, without spending a penny.

Find Influencers for Your Brand, but How?

A staggering 86% of people admit they have hit that “add to cart” button at least once a year, all because an influencer made them do it! 

You can also achieve that for your company. But how?

You just need the right approach, innovative tools, and creativity. 

1. Start with Your Audience

Before you look elsewhere, look at who’s already supporting you.

• Check your Instagram tags, mentions, and comments. Who’s consistently engaging?
• Look at brand mentions on Twitter or TikTok. These people might already be your brand advocates.

For example, a startup skincare brand discovered a customer posting unboxing videos and reviews on Instagram. She had only 2,000 followers but a highly engaged audience. They reached out and started a collaboration, gaining authentic reach at zero cost.

This method works because you do not rely solely on guessing. You start with people who already love your brand.

2. Find Influencers by Photo

Ever seen a great influencer photo but didn’t know who it was? You can find influencers by photo using tools like:

• Google Lens: Snap or upload a photo, and it will show you where it appears online, often linking to social profiles.
• TinEye: Similar concept, great for desktop searches.

Imagine you see a beautiful product styling shot on Pinterest, but no name is attached. Upload the image to Google Lens, and it might be traced back to the original influencer’s Instagram profile. This gives you direct access to a creator you already admire.

3. Use Instagram’s Free Tools: Hashtags and Location Search

Here’s a simple tip if you’re wondering how to locate Instagram influencers for free:

• Search by Hashtags: Look for hashtags relevant to your niche (#FitnessTips, #CleanBeauty, #CryptoNews) and scroll through posts to spot consistent, high-quality creators.
• Explore Location Tags: If your brand targets a specific area, search geotags (like “#NYCFoodie” or “Los Angeles”) to find local influencers.

A vegan restaurant in Austin found its top influencer by searching #AustinEats and seeing who created engaging food content. It was completely free, just a matter of strategic searching.

4. Free Influencer Search Tools 

You don’t need to pay for fancy platforms. Here are free influencer search tools that get the job done:

• HypeAuditor (Free Version): This tool lets you search by category and location and shows follower counts and engagement rates.
• Upfluence (Freemium): Provides free basic search and filters.
• Ingramer (now Inflact): Allows searches by hashtags, locations, or usernames on Instagram.

These tools are great for smaller brands or solopreneurs who want to find influencers online for free, with enough data to make informed choices.

5. Explore Influencer Marketplaces Even Without a Budget

Influencer marketplaces like AspireIQ, Influencity, or Heepsy often offer free versions or trials. Here’s what makes them valuable:

• They filter by niche, audience, engagement rate, and geography.
• You can browse hundreds of influencer profiles, even with no upfront cost.
• Some marketplaces allow direct messaging and negotiation.

This can fast-track your search, especially if you’re scaling up your influencer strategy but still testing the waters.

Bonus Tip: How to Find Influencers in Your Area for Free?

To get involved in your local scene:

• Search Instagram with local hashtags (like #TorontoBloggers, #LondonFoodie).
• Use location filters to explore posts tagged in your area.
• Attend local events, then check tagged posts to see who’s active and influential.

A boutique fitness studio in Chicago used this approach to connect with local wellness influencers, creating a loyal and engaged community.

How to Reach Out to Influencers?

Now that you have found your ideal influencers, what’s next?

• Personalize Your Message: Start with a compliment about their content.
• Introduce Your Brand Clearly: Clearly state your brand, who you are, and why you are contacting them.
• Describe the Benefit: What do they stand to gain by collaborating with you? 

Example message:

Hi Emily,
I was blown away by your post on minimal skincare routines. At PureSkin, that is precisely the type of feeling we want to spread. Are you interested in working with us on a special campaign?

Excited to hear your thoughts!

Your Next Move: Build Connections and Grow

If you are 100% into taking your influencer strategy to show the world, check out the Influencer Marketing Blog by Searchlight Social for in-depth guides, case studies, and actionable strategies. You can also book a consultation with us for a complete 360 influencer solution for your business. 

Start building connections and watch your brand’s visibility grow, without breaking the bank. 

People Also Ask

How can I locate the ideal influencer for my company?

Start with your audience and brand values. Seek influencers who share these in their voice, content, and engagement style. Authenticity and audience relevance are more important than following the count.

How can I locate companies seeking influencers?

Join influencer networks like Heepsy or AspireIQ, or search for hashtags like #BrandCollaborations. Additionally, for brands looking to collaborate with influencers, see Searchlight Social’s Influencer Marketing Blog.

What is the price of hiring an influencer?

It varies. While larger brands may charge hundreds or thousands of dollars, micro-influencers may accept free merchandise. Campaign complexity, engagement, and niche all affect costs.