Market Your Business Like A Micro-Influencer in 2026
If you haven’t been following along for very long, you might not know that on top of my social media company, I also run a micro-influencer profile on Instagram.
Micro-influencers are accounts that have from hundreds to thousands of followers (Under 10k on all platforms) but have an incredible connection with their audiences. These are accounts where you see people regularly engaging in the comments, on stories and in DM’s with people who have a niche interest.
In my case, it’s family experiences, showcasing local businesses and supporting small independent businesses. So right before the holidays, when I put out some feelers to see who would be interested in promotion, I was able to offer 20+ days of giveaways for local businesses within days.
And the response from my followers was overwhelming!
20 days, 20 businesses, 20 giveaways. Hundreds of new followers for everyone involved. That’s the power of micro-influencing!
In 2026, when so many people are tired of hearing from bots instead of people, micro-influencing is having a moment in the marketing of small businesses.
When your product is shown by someone local, people think:
“I recognize that place.”
“I’ve been meaning to try that.”
“I trust their recommendation.”
Consumers are craving things that feel REAL. They want to know who’s behind the account and they want to see people who have used the product or service before they invest themselves.
Thinking Outside the Box With Marketing
When it comes to marketing in the age of AI advertising, we can learn a LOT from micro-influencers.
Let’s take a look at how you can leverage it for your business.
1. Work with a micro-influencer
This may seem like a no-brainer in an article about micro-influencing, but if you aren’t ready for the slow and steady slog that is building an audience these days, you can skip the line and work with a micro-influencer for your brand.
When you’re looking for the right fit, make sure to focus on:
Engagement over numbers. You aren’t looking for someone with millions of followers. You want someone local who has lots going on in the comment section.
You want them to be niche to you. For example, I work with a LOT of tourism companies and local businesses that provide family experiences because that’s what my feed is already full of already.
Come prepared to pay any fees that go with free product. Too many businesses think that micro-influencers, despite their highly specialized local audiences, will be available at the cost of some free product. This is incorrect. Videos take sometimes hours to sort through and edit, so be prepared to pay your influencer for their time.
2. Think like a micro-influencer
If you want to build your audience, get ready for a slow, steady and consistent process. Things influencers excel at are:
Know your audience. Without knowing your audience, you’ll end up talking to everyone. And therefore no one.
Post about yourself, your life, and your business. People like to follow PEOPLE, not businesses. So be prepared to share behind the curtains to connect.
Talk about products and services naturally. Don’t make your posts salesy by shoving product and service placements in everything. Talk about them where they naturally make sense.
3. Act like a micro-influencer
I say this all the time, but get in those comment sections! Micro-influencers take a lot of time out of their day to comment on posts, follow new accounts, and engage in their own comment sections. The worst thing you can do is post and ghost, so make sure that you’re leaving time in your day to comment back on everything.
You can find influencers with tags like ‘Digital Creator’, ‘Influencer’, or ‘Content Creator’ - check the bio and send a DM when you find a right fit!
Micro-influencing works in 2026 because it’s human.
If you choose to do one thing from this post, try to post consistently. As much as people are talking about different platforms and what’s working and what’s not, the one thing that has ALWAYS worked is consistency.
Whether you’re a business looking to collaborate with a micro-influencer (in which case, send me a DM!) or a business looking to tap into the unique opportunity that influencer-style content presents, this year is the perfect time to get started.
What’s one thing you can change about your marketing this year to act like an influencer?