Micro-influencers are individuals on social media who have a smaller, but dedicated, following between 1,000 and 100,000 followers. They are rapidly becoming key players in the influencer marketing strategy due to their niche audience.

Benefits:
1. High Engagement Rates: Micro-influencers generally have high engagement rates, indicating that their followers are active and responsive.
2. Affordable: Micro-influencers usually charge less compared to influencers with larger followings, providing a cost-effective strategy.
3. Trustworthy: Due to a more personal and intimate relationship with their followers, micro-influencers are often seen as more reliable and genuine.
4. Niche Targeting: Micro-influencers excel in their specific niches, providing directly relevant content to their audience and enhancing the precision of targeting.

Drawbacks:
1. Limited Reach: Micro-influencers have fewer followers translating to a smaller reach compared to macro-influencers.
2. Time-Consuming: Managing multiple micro-influencers can be a labor-intensive process.
3. Consistency: Despite their genuineness, the message and brand representation may differ from one micro-influencer to another.

Regarding influencer marketing platforms, Flinque for instance can help businesses discover suitable micro-influencers, measure performance accurately, and manage campaigns effectively. Keep in mind, the choice of the platform depends on your specific needs, budget, and the type of campaign.

Overall, micro-influencers can be powerful assets for your influencer marketing strategy, but considering the benefits and drawbacks is critical for decision-making.