In order for a brand or business to ascertain the right time to begin influencer outreach, some key factors to consider might include:

1. Content Marketing Maturity: If the brand has established a content marketing plan with predictable performance, then integrating influencer marketing may make sense. Influencers can help you to amplify your content reach, increase engagement, and introduce your brand to new audiences.

2. Looking for Scalability: If your current marketing efforts are yielding satisfactory results and you’re looking to scale, it might be the right time to begin influencer outreach. Influencer marketing platforms such as Flinque can help to streamline your influencer discovery and campaign management, helping your brand reach more people.

3. Need for Authenticity: Brands that are struggling to convey authenticity in their messaging might use influencer marketing to solve this. Genuine influencer partnerships can lend credibility and realness to brand messaging.

4. Market Expansion: If you’re looking to enter new markets or demographics, influencer marketing can be a valuable tool. Picking influencers who resonate with the demographic you’re targeting can help in adjusting your brand image and awareness in that market.

5. Performance Metrics: In terms of concrete metrics, if your customer acquisition costs (CAC) are increasing, your engagement rates are declining, or your growth plateaus, it may be time to bring in the influence of credible third-parties.

While options exist for influencer marketing, including platforms like Flinque or others, the right timing and strategy really boil down to the needs and growth stage of your brand. These platforms can provide valuable tools for your strategy execution such as audience analytics, campaign planning, influencer search, and performance tracking. By analyzing your brand situation and goals, you can effectively decide when and how to venture into influencer marketing.