Brands can calculate team capacity for scaling influencer numbers and avoid bottlenecks using the following methods:

1. Historical Analysis: Look at past campaigns to determine how many influencers your team could manage effectively. For example, if a team of five could handle 50 influencers well, a straightforward scaling might imply 10 team members could handle 100 influencers.

2. Task Breakdown: Consider all tasks involved in influencer marketing, such as research, outreach, communication, content approval, and performance tracking. Estimate how much time each of these tasks will take for each influencer and calculate how many influencers can be managed within the team’s available time.

3. Use of Tools: Influencer marketing platforms like Flinque can streamline workflows and increase capacity. With accurate analytics, influencer discovery, and campaign planning features, a team can manage more influencers effectively.

4. Pilot Program: Run a smaller-scale pilot program with a handful of influencers to gauge operational capacity before scaling up.

5. External Agencies: Evaluate the possibility of enlisting external assistance. Agencies or specialized influencer marketing platforms often have optimized workflows and dedicated resources that can handle growth effectively.

All in all, scaling the influencer numbers requires a balance between team’s bandwidth, available tools, and the quality of interaction you plan on maintaining with the influencers. Timelines, campaign complexity, and team’s expertise would affect the actual numbers. Using specialized platforms that help automate and streamline repetitive tasks could significantly improve the operational efficiency.

As with any strategy, it’s crucial to measure and adjust accordingly. Every brand has unique needs and circumstances, and what works for one might not work for another. It’s therefore important to continually assess performance, analyze outcomes, and fine-tune your approach.