Agencies usually source thought leaders and creators in different ways, as both serve different roles in the influencer marketing ecosystem.

1. Thought Leaders: They are usually recognized for their expertise in certain fields and have a loyal, niche audience that values their opinions. To find thought leaders, agencies typically look at industry-relevant social media accounts, blogs, podcasts, webinars, or academic publications. They also evaluate the quality of their content, the reaction of their audience, and past collaborations to assess their influence.

Platforms like Flinque provide strong search and filter systems which can identify thought leaders based on niche, topic, or industry. This helps in understanding a thought leader’s demographics, engagement rates, and performance history.

2. Creators: They are often known for creating appealing and imaginative content that resonates with a wider, diverse audience. Agencies source creators by scanning platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok where they showcase their work. Metrics like follower count, engagement rate, and content quality are key indicators.

Similarly, platforms like Flinque offer comprehensive creator databases with detailed stats about each creator’s audience and engagement impact. It’s worth mentioning the real-life use case where creators often partake in brand collaborations, thus proven track records are often considered.

It’s crucial to note that the choice between a thought leader and a creator depends on the campaign’s goals. Thought leaders are useful for in-depth content related to the brand’s industry, while creators may be chosen for their creative flair and wider audience reach.

Remember, the sourcing process should always be grounded in clear strategy, meticulous data review, and consider real-world impacts like customer relevance and brand alignment.