June 12, 2025

How effective is influencer marketing?

By
Heylist Team
Once dismissed as a fleeting trend, influencer marketing has evolved into one of the most potent tools in a marketer’s arsenal. It’s not just about pretty pictures and curated aesthetics anymore. Today, creators are core to how brands build awareness, trust, and revenue in a crowded digital space. The question isn’t “Should we do influencer marketing?” It’s “How can we do it more effectively?”

The reality check: influencer marketing isn’t a fad, it’s a force

The numbers don’t lie

Let’s start with the ROI. In Canada, brands report earning an average a minimum of $5.78 for every $1 spent on influencer marketing. That’s not hype—it’s data-backed reality. And while performance may vary by vertical or execution, the potential upside outpaces many traditional advertising channels.

Beyond awareness: building trust that converts

Yes, influencer marketing drives brand awareness. But that’s just the top of the funnel.

What makes it effective is the deeper consumer connection it enables. Influencers—especially niche creators—act as trusted sources. When they recommend a product, it often feels more like a tip from a friend than a paid promotion. That trust translates into stronger engagement and higher conversion rates.

Creators are the new creative teams

Another reason influencer marketing works? Creators don’t just sell your product—they shape your brand.

Today’s top-performing creators are storytellers, producers, editors, and strategists rolled into one. Brands increasingly tap influencers not only for promotion but to generate authentic content that can be repurposed across:

  • Paid ad campaigns
  • Website hero sections
  • Organic social feeds
  • Email newsletters
  • Product pages

In many cases, creator content outperforms agency-produced assets in terms of engagement and relatability.

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How creators make your ads (and brand) better

Let’s break it down. Creators help brands:

  • Increase click-through rates by making ads feel native to the platform.
  • Build social proof with real people showcasing real use cases.
  • Reduce creative fatigue by constantly refreshing the visual narrative.
  • Reach segmented audiences with content tailored to niche communities.

And because the content is built in-platform (think TikToks, Reels, YouTube Shorts), the algorithm often favors it—giving brands more organic reach.

The takeaway for brands and agencies

Influencer marketing isn’t just a cost-effective channel—it’s a creative multiplier. Whether you're launching a product or scaling performance marketing, the right creators bring more than an audience. They bring trust, relatability, and thumb-stopping content that drives real business results.

So if your marketing strategy doesn’t yet center creators, the real question is: What’s it costing you not to?