By Wildfire PR
Your startup’s success isn’t just about having a great product—it’s about telling a story that gets noticed. But what if you could supercharge that story with the help of influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing isn’t just about getting the most views or likes—it’s about smart partnerships with trusted voices who already shape opinions in your industry. And it’s not something to fear. As Wildfire’s Megan Hill explains here, when done well, it’s a game-changer. The right influencers can fast-track trust, educate your audience, and accelerate growth.
In Part One of How to Work with Influencers in 2025, we break down the key steps you need to consider before launching your influencer marketing strategy.
First: Get clear on your goals
Influencers hold serious sway when it comes to public opinion. The right voice can put your startup on the map, build credibility, and drive real interaction. But approach an influencer in the wrong way, underestimate or undervalue then and your campaign could flop. Or worse, backfire.
For startups, influencer marketing isn’t just about hype—it’s about getting the right people to talk about your product in a way that actually resonates. So, before you start sliding into DMs, get crystal clear on your goals.
Are you looking to boost brand awareness, drive traffic to owned socials, or position yourself as a thought leader? Honing your objective upfront will shape everything—from who you partner with to the content they create to how you measure success.
Second: Find the right influencers for your startup
Not all influencers are a good fit for tech or B2B brands. While popular lifestyle creators might be great at unboxing consumer gadgets, they’re unlikely to do a technical deep dive into your product.
Instead, you should look to industry-specific voices who already have the trust and attention of your target audience. Think:
- Tech journalists and analysts – Credible voices in B2B and enterprise tech
- YouTubers and podcasters – Great for in-depth reviews and explainer content
- LinkedIn thought leaders – Ideal for B2B engagement and industry influence
- Developer advocates and engineers – Best for technical audiences
A key thing to be aware of––choosing the right influencer isn’t just a numbers game. A massive follower count doesn’t guarantee success. Focusing on influencers whose interests and content align with your brand is more important.
Third: Take advantage of influencer platforms
Finding the right influencers can be time-consuming, and a simple Google search can give you irrelevant or outdated results. That’s where influencer marketing platforms come in.
Tools like Klear (which integrates with Meltwater), Traackr, and CreatorIQ make it easier to identify potential collaborators by allowing you to:
- Search by niche (e.g., “data streaming” or “cybersecurity”)
- See past brand collaborations (so you don’t waste time on influencers locked into competitor contracts)
- Track campaign performance in real time
If you’re serious about integrating influencers into your startup’s marketing strategy, using one of these tools can save you time, effort, and guesswork.
That wraps up Part One of How to Work with Influencers in 2025. In Part Two, we’ll dive into:
- How to reach out to influencers
- What influencers really charge
- Crafting a winning brief
- The importance of a contract
Stay tuned!
About Wildfire
They’re an award-winning PR agency partnering with technology companies worldwide to transform ambition into action. Their ‘Think Bold’ approach blends boundary-pushing creativity with data-driven insights, empowering clients to launch meaningful campaigns that deliver standout results.
If you would like to get in touch with Wildfire PR and Claim a free consultation or PR audit, get in touch today or email ec@wildfirepr.com.