There are currently 36.2 million small businesses across the U.S. Small enterprises, which are an essential part of the economy, were responsible for creating 1.2 million jobs in the U.S. from March 2023-March 2024. More than 90 percent of all operating businesses worldwide fall into the micro-, small-, or medium-sized category, showcasing how vital these companies are to economic stability and growth.
Over ninety percent of small businesses now utilize social media channels as part of their marketing strategies. This significant uptick in adoption reflects how small enterprises are evolving to meet modern marketing demands. While many of these enterprises don’t have access to the massive marketing budgets, there are still many different ways they can use Creators to increase brand awareness, improve customer loyalty, and boost sales.
How Can Your Small Business Use Influencer Marketing?
The Creator Marketing industry is forecasted to reach $32.55 billion by the end of 2025, a remarkable rise from $24 billion in 2024. While globally established brands have the resources to engage with top-tier Creators, smaller businesses may feel such partnerships are out of reach. The good news? They don’t need to be. By collaborating with Creators who share their values and target audiences, even businesses with modest budgets can tap into the immense potential of Creator Marketing.
A Creator Marketing platform such as LTK Connect is a game changer for organizations of all sizes. These platforms simplify and centralize Creator partnerships, making it easy for business owners to create campaign strategies that resonate with their audience.
Before you get started, it’s important to understand a few concepts surrounding Creator Marketing platforms and Creators.
Hear how one small business, shortyLOVE, uses the LTK Connect platform to grow its handbag business.
1. Understand your short- and long-term goals
Outline clear and actionable goals before initiating a Creator Marketing campaign. Ask yourself:
- Is your company aiming to run a seasonal campaign to raise brand awareness?
- Are you considering a long-term collaboration with a Creator to increase customer retention?
- What specific outcomes do you expect from this investment?
Once these objectives are understood, you can confidently seek out Creators whose audiences align with your vision while staying within a defined budget. Using a Creator Marketing platform, such as LTK Connect, can help you identify and partner with the right Creators.
2. Monitor your social media
It’s important to actively monitor all of your social media channels to understand who your audience is and what they’re looking for. What are the pain points of your ideal customer? What problems do they have? How do your products or services meet their needs? What’s the best way to turn customers into passionate brand advocates?
3. Check out your competitors
To determine the most effective type of Creator Marketing strategy for your small business, simply check out the social media channels of enterprises that are similar to yours. This can help you better understand the type of campaigns that work. The Creator Marketing experts at LTK can also provide historical data on the top-converting Creators in your industry.
4. Understand your potential Creators’ audience
Look closely at the demographics of Creators you’re interested in partnering with. Location, age, and gender are all important factors to consider before partnering with a Creator. These details can be easily found within a Creator Marketing platform, such as LTK Connect, which can identify the most appropriate Creators for your small business.
Remember to start with small steps in the beginning and learn from your mistakes. Your brand’s message may not resonate with a Creator’s entire audience, and that’s OK. Getting your product in front of the right audience (people who are likely to convert and make purchases) is what truly matters.
Start Growing Your Business Now
The LTK Connect self-serve Creator Marketing platform can help you jump-start your Creator strategy to drive more engagement and sales. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Influencer Marketing for Shopify Brands to learn more.
Ready to activate or scale your Creator strategy? Get started with LTK.
Blog was originally published in October 2022 and updated in August 2025.