It’s not just a buzzword anymore, folks—influencers are the real movers and shakers in the world of social media. As a small business owner, you’re likely already using social media to bulk up your marketing strategy. So why not add an influencer or two to your game plan?

You may follow a few influencers yourself, many of whom have followers numbering in the millions. But don’t let those powerhouse reputations scare you away from developing a business relationship with one. Micro-influencers, who have anywhere from one- to ten thousand followers, are far more likely to engage with your business and help you promote it.

It may seem like a small number, but a micro-influencer who advertises your brand to just 1,000 followers means you have 1,000 more chances at earning new business. So, how can you start finding micro-influencers for your small business?

Make Sure It’s A Good Fit

As you begin to look for micro-influencers, it’s important to keep your search relatively local. You’d be surprised at how many micro-influencers live in and around your community, and the influence they have on consumers in the immediate area will help drive foot traffic (literally and virtually) through your door.

But who’s the right micro-influencer for the job? To make sure it’s a good fit for your small business, ask yourself questions like: Do their values align with your brand philosophy? Is their audience demographic relevant to your goods and services? Does the influencer regularly engage with their audience? If you'd found yourself answering “yes,” to these questions then you might have a perfect match for your small business. But how do you find the perfect micro-influencer in the first place?

Take A Look At Your Followers

If your small business is already on social, then you’ve probably got quite a few followers of your own. And guess what—some of them might be micro-influencers already! Just check to see if they have over a thousand followers. If so, check out their profiles and see if they’re posting about your business.

If you find a micro-influencer who’s already a fan of your brand, you can approach them with an offer that benefits both parties. You might provide a discount or free coupons in exchange for a guaranteed number of posts about your small business each month.

Whatever deal you agree upon, continue to maintain your relationship with the influencer and let it flourish.

Reach Out To Local Bloggers

If scouring your own social media follower lists doesn’t yield any results, you can try reaching out to local bloggers instead. You’d be surprised by the number of bloggers that write about niche markets and small businesses, and the impressive reach of their readership.

A quick Google search can help you find the ones that live in your area and write about topics related to your business. If you run a bakery in Phoenix, for example, you can search for “food and bakery blogs in Phoenix” and let the search engine do the rest.

Building a relationship with a blogger requires a little more finesse than simply striking up a conversation with someone who’s already following your brand. Once you find one, start by reading their work and posting relevant comments about it.

Share their articles on social media and send a complimentary email every once in a while. Then, you can invite them to learn more about your small business—take them on a tour, send them a free product—and write about their experience.

Find Micro-Influencers IRL

Micro-influencers may do most of their influencing via the internet, but they’re still real people living in the real world. So, if you’re attending a local business event, such as a seminar, workshop, or networking opportunity, you might have the chance to meet a micro-influencer face-to-face.

A physical conversation gives you the opportunity to showcase your brand and learn more about the influencer’s reach and audience. Finding one in the crowd just takes a little good old-fashioned chit-chat. Make a point to talk to everyone about your small business and share your social media information, and you’ll likely discover micro-influencers willing to work together.

Maintain Your Micro-Influencer Relationships

Once you enter into an agreement with a micro-influencer, it’s important to maintain your relationship with them. Work together to find new ways of promoting your small business through social media channels, and acknowledge their efforts appropriately. Don’t let the word “micro” fool you—these influencers can make a huge impact on the success of your business!