Influencer selection does require a level of subjectivity, but modern digital tools enable brands to establish clear decision-making criteria. Approaches may vary across different brands and campaigns, but here are the most commonly used strategies:

1. Audience Metrics: Brands typically look for influencers whose audience aligns with their target demographics. This usually includes age, location, gender, interests, and more.
2. Engagement Rates: Brands often analyze the engagement rates of potential influencers. This could mean likes, comments, shares, etc., which signify genuine interaction and not just a large follower count.

3. Brand Alignment: The influencer’s brand should align with the choosing brand. This relates to the type of content they post, the values they promote, and their overall aesthetic.

4. Past Performance: Brands will often investigate an influencer’s past performance in previous campaigns. This could include reviewing campaign reports or speaking to previous brand partners.

5. Content Quality: Brands often assess the quality of the influencer’s content. They want to ensure that it’s high quality, professional, and aligns with their own brand’s aesthetic.

Platforms like Flinque, Upfluence, and AspireIQ can help manage these factors by offering comprehensive data about potential influencers. They provide metrics about the influencer’s audience, engagement rate, past campaign performance, and more.

However, the choice of platforms entirely depends on a brand’s unique needs and strategy. For instance, Flinque might be ideal for a brand with in-house influencer marketing expertise that wants to retain control over its campaigns. In comparison, a brand new to influencer marketing may find value in the additional services offered by platforms like AspireIQ. By strategically using these platforms and combining them with their intuition, brands can ensure they’re making data-driven decisions when selecting influencers.