The Shelf vs MoreInfluence

Why brands weigh influencer agency options

When you start taking influencer campaigns seriously, choosing the right partner can feel risky. You’re trusting an outside team with your brand’s voice, budget, and reputation.

Agencies like The Shelf and MoreInfluence both promise strong creator campaigns, but they lean into different strengths, styles, and client fits.

You’re likely asking: Who understands my audience better? Who will handle the details? And who is more likely to turn creator content into real sales, not just likes?

Table of Contents

• What each agency is known for
• Inside The Shelf’s style and services
• Inside MoreInfluence’s style and services
• How the two agencies really differ
• Pricing approach and how work is scoped
• Strengths and limitations to keep in mind
• Who each agency is best for
• When a platform alternative may make more sense
• FAQs
• Conclusion: choosing the right fit
• Disclaimer

What each agency is known for

The primary keyword to keep in mind here is influencer agency services. Both teams work with brands that want done-for-you support, not just a software login.

The Shelf is often associated with creative, story-driven campaigns that mix data, audience research, and bold concepts.

They tend to lean into lifestyle storytelling, narrative hooks, and multi-channel rollouts that feel like mini branded series.

MoreInfluence is typically known for performance-minded influencer work with a strong focus on matching the right creator to the right brand.

They tend to stress strategy, fit, and measurable outcomes, aiming for campaigns that move the needle on sales or leads.

Both help brands find and manage creators, but they may prioritize different things: deep creative ideas versus detailed performance structure.

Inside The Shelf’s style and services

The Shelf positions itself as a full-service influencer marketing agency with a big focus on creative concepts and storytelling.

Services brands usually lean on

Most clients hire them for end-to-end campaign work rather than one-off matchmaking or short audits.

• Influencer discovery and vetting across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more
• Campaign strategy, concepts, and messaging angles
• Contracting, negotiation, and legal coordination
• Content briefing, feedback, and approvals
• Campaign reporting and performance summaries

They tend to manage all the moving parts so internal teams can stay focused on broader marketing plans.

How The Shelf tends to run campaigns

The Shelf usually starts with research into audience interests, culture trends, and brand positioning.

They then turn that into a concept that often looks like a content series or story arc, not just one-off posts.

You’ll commonly see structured phases: awareness content, deeper education, then conversion-focused pieces or re-usage in ads.

Brands that like planning, moodboards, and thematically linked content often gravitate to this kind of process.

Creator relationships and casting style

The Shelf casts creators with an eye on both metrics and creative fit. They tend to favor people who can act as storytellers.

Expect a mix of macro and micro creators depending on budget and objectives, often blended to cover reach and authenticity.

They also watch for audience alignment and past brand content to avoid off-brand pairings.

For many campaigns, they write detailed briefs to give structure while still letting creators keep their own voice.

Typical client profile for The Shelf

The Shelf often appeals to brands that care a lot about brand identity and visual narrative, not just coupon code redemptions.

• Consumer brands in beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and home
• Household names wanting polished campaigns that feel like mini shoots
• Growing DTC brands ready to invest in bigger creative ideas

If your team wants a strong creative partner and is comfortable trusting a defined campaign concept, this direction can work well.

Inside MoreInfluence’s style and services

MoreInfluence is also a full-service influencer shop, but often presents itself as highly focused on strategy, structure, and measurable outcomes.

Services brands usually hire MoreInfluence for

You can expect a broad but focused service lineup centered around growth and performance.

• Influencer sourcing, vetting, and relationship management
• Strategic planning around audience, funnel stage, and platforms
• Content guidelines, approvals, and compliance support
• Coordination of usage rights and repurposing options
• Reporting and recommendations for future cycles

They aim to give brands a clearer sense of what’s working and where to scale or adjust.

How MoreInfluence typically structures campaigns

MoreInfluence generally builds campaigns around clear marketing goals like trial, signups, or conversions.

They put more weight on creator-brand fit, messaging clarity, and tracking infrastructure than on elaborate story arcs.

The style often suits brands that love dashboards, KPIs, and a straightforward campaign structure.

That doesn’t mean boring content, but the creative flair usually serves defined business metrics first.

Creator relationships and network style

MoreInfluence emphasizes matching brands with creators whose audiences actually align with the target buyer.

That often means careful checks on audience demographics, engagement patterns, and brand safety.

They work across a range of verticals and sizes, from niche creators to larger personalities, depending on needs.

Expect them to be vocal about brand fit, sometimes steering you away from flashy names that don’t convert well.

Typical client fit for MoreInfluence

MoreInfluence usually aligns with brands that see influencer work as a performance channel within a wider growth mix.

• Brands tracking more than just reach, such as revenue or signups
• Companies with defined funnels and paid media teams
• Marketers ready to plug influencer content into email or ads

If your leadership team wants to see clear numbers and test-and-learn cycles, this style can feel very comfortable.

How the two agencies really differ

This is where most brands pause and look closer at how each team actually works day to day.

While both are influencer marketing agencies, they tend to diverge in emphasis and feel.

Creative storytelling versus performance framing

The Shelf often leads with big creative ideas and themed content experiences that feel unforgettable.

MoreInfluence often leads with strategy frameworks, clear targets, and structured testing plans.

Both care about results, but one leans into emotion and narrative, the other into clarity and measurable outcomes.

Client experience and collaboration style

The Shelf usually operates like a creative studio layered on top of influencer operations.

You’ll see moodboards, narratives, and a strong push to protect brand aesthetic and story.

MoreInfluence may feel closer to a performance marketing partner, walking you through goals, segments, and optimization steps.

In practice, that means meetings and reports may look slightly different, framed by either creativity or performance.

Scale, industries, and campaign shapes

Both can operate at meaningful scale, but they may prioritize different industries or campaign structures.

The Shelf may be a stronger fit for highly visual consumer brands looking for memorable, shareable content.

MoreInfluence may be better tuned for brands that want influencer programs to plug into broader acquisition or retention funnels.

Pricing approach and how work is scoped

With influencer agency services, pricing is almost always custom. Neither agency works like a simple software subscription.

What usually shapes the budget

You can expect pricing to shift based on several factors, regardless of which agency you talk to.

• Number and size of creators involved
• Platforms used, from TikTok and Instagram to YouTube
• Campaign length, from quick pushes to multi-month waves
• Creative complexity and content formats
• Usage rights for paid ads or long-term repurposing

Both agencies will typically quote after they understand your goals, markets, and timelines.

Typical engagement structures

For both teams, you’ll usually see one of two shapes: project-based or retainer-style.

Project-based work suits launches, seasonal pushes, or testing influencer as a new channel.

Retainers often cover always-on influencer programs, where creators act as long-term ambassadors.

Agency fees usually include strategy, project management, and reporting layered on top of creator compensation.

Strengths and limitations to keep in mind

Every agency has strong points and tradeoffs. The goal is not perfection but fit.

Where The Shelf often shines

• Brand-first, story-driven creative work that stands out
• Structured campaign narratives across multiple creators
• Content that feels cohesive, on-brand, and visually polished

A common concern brands have is whether storytelling-heavy campaigns will still hit hard business targets.

If your internal team tracks results closely, ask for past examples where narrative-heavy work drove sales or leads.

Where MoreInfluence often shines

• Strong focus on creator fit and measurable outcomes
• Structured planning that aligns with existing growth efforts
• Clarity around what’s working and what should be adjusted

Their style is often reassuring for leadership teams that demand data-backed decisions on marketing spend.

Potential limitations and watchouts

For The Shelf, you may want to ask how they handle strict performance goals alongside bold creative ideas.

For MoreInfluence, you may want to ensure your brand’s visual world and storytelling still feel rich, not just functional.

In both cases, clarify expectations on revisions, creator feedback loops, and how results will be reported.

Who each agency is best for

Think about your priorities, internal bandwidth, and how you plan to judge success.

Brands that tend to fit well with The Shelf

• Beauty, fashion, lifestyle, or home brands craving standout creative
• Teams that value mood, storytelling, and cohesive visuals
• Marketers wanting content that also feeds social channels and brand campaigns

If you want your influencer work to feel like a natural extension of your brand world, this direction usually makes sense.

Brands that tend to fit well with MoreInfluence

• Companies with strong performance or growth marketing cultures
• Brands that already measure funnels and attribution closely
• Teams looking to test, optimize, and scale what works

If your leadership team asks about ROI in every meeting, a performance-forward partner can reduce friction and internal pushback.

When a platform alternative may make more sense

Not every brand needs a full-service influencer agency retainer. Some marketers want to stay hands-on while saving on fees.

In that case, a platform-based route can sometimes be a better first step.

How a platform like Flinque fits in

Flinque is an example of a platform that helps brands discover creators and manage campaigns without hiring an agency.

Instead of a large service fee, you use software to handle discovery, outreach, coordination, and tracking in-house.

This can suit lean teams that are comfortable with campaign management and want more direct control over creator relationships.

When a platform-first path works best

• You already have social or influencer managers on staff
• Your budget is significant but not enough for a top-tier retainer
• You prefer to own long-term relationships with creators directly

If you later outgrow a platform-only approach, you can still layer on an agency for creative direction or scaling.

FAQs

How should I choose between these influencer agencies?

Start with your top priority. If you want distinctive storytelling and branded content, lean toward creative-first support. If you need clear performance structure and measurable outcomes, lean toward a performance-focused team. Then compare proposals, team chemistry, and reporting styles.

Can these agencies work with small budgets?

Most established influencer agencies prefer budgets that support enough creators and content to make a difference. If your budget is limited, ask openly about minimums or consider starting with fewer creators or a platform-based tool instead.

How long does it take to see results from influencer campaigns?

Most brands see early signals within the first campaign cycle, often one to three months. Stronger learnings usually appear over several cycles, as the teams refine creator selection, messaging, and timing based on what actually performs.

Should I expect to be involved in creator selection?

Yes, in most cases you’ll review shortlists and give feedback on fit. Some brands prefer very hands-on selection, others trust the agency to decide within brand guidelines. Clarify your preference during scoping and before contracts are signed.

Do I own the content creators make for my brand?

Not by default. Usage rights are usually negotiated separately and affect pricing. You can often secure rights to reuse creator content in ads, email, or your website, but make sure those rights and timeframes are clearly written into your agreements.

Conclusion: choosing the right fit

Your decision shouldn’t hinge on which agency looks better on a pitch deck, but on which one matches your goals, style, and budget.

If you want high-impact creative that builds brand love, a story-led partner might be the right move.

If your focus is performance, testing, and clear ROI, a more metrics-driven team may be better.

Map your needs, talk honestly about budget, ask to see real campaign examples, and push for clarity on how success will be measured.

Whether you pick a creative-heavy team, a performance-focused shop, or a platform like Flinque, make sure the path matches how your organization actually works.

Disclaimer

All information on this page is collected from publicly available sources, third party search engines, AI powered tools and general online research. We do not claim ownership of any external data and accuracy may vary. This content is for informational purposes only.