You may be overlooking one of today’s most effective outreach tools: influencers. And no, we’re not talking about someone doing a viral dance while holding your church logo.
Influencer marketing is a surprisingly cost-effective way to reach people. For the cost of boosting a Facebook post, you can have a trusted local voice speak to their audience on your behalf.
It’s not just for tech companies or beauty brands. Many influencers already live in your town, shop at your grocery stores and maybe even sit in your pews.
How much does it cost?
Not all influencers are created equal. The term often brings to mind celebrities with millions of followers, but some of the most impactful marketing happens at a much smaller scale.
Here’s a breakdown of common influencer tiers and typical rates:
- Nano-influencers (1k–10k followers): $10–$100 per post
- Micro-influencers (10k–100k): $100–$500 per post
- Mid-tier influencers (100k–1M): $500–$1,000 per post
- Macro-influencers (1M–7M): $1,000–$50,000 per post
- Mega-influencers (7M+): $50,000+ per post
* These ranges can vary based on platform, engagement, content type and location
For most churches, nano- and micro-influencers offer the best value. These individuals often have deep engagement with local audiences—exactly the kind of connection your church is looking to foster.
How do you find them?
Influencers aren’t limited to lifestyle vloggers or world travelers. Many focus on specific communities or interests—parenting, food, real estate, wellness, music or activism. Some may already be part of your congregation.
Start by exploring platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, where influencer culture thrives. Search local hashtags that include your town, neighborhood or nearby landmarks. Look for individuals who post consistently, get real engagement and align with your message.
Ask around within your church community too. Someone in your youth group or worship team might already follow or know local influencers worth connecting with.
Once you’ve identified a potential partner, reach out via direct message on their main platform.
What can they do?
The most effective influencer content looks and feels like the rest of their posts—natural, not overly produced. Your goal is for them to create organic content that fits their style and connects with their audience.
Depending on what you’re promoting, they might:
- Share their experience attending your event
- Post about their excitement to visit or volunteer
- Recommend your church as a welcoming space for families
- Partner with you for a giveaway—coffee, an event ticket or fun swag
Remember: what makes influencers powerful is their authenticity. Their followers trust them—and that trust is what helps extend your message.
Influencers are people, not billboards
Influencer marketing works best when it’s relational. Avoid a one-time transactional mindset. Instead, treat the influencer as a valued partner.
Listen to their ideas. Let them shape the message. Say thank you—publicly and privately. When it feels like a collaboration, the impact is lasting.
Many nano- and micro-influencers aren’t just doing this for money. They care about their city, their followers and the causes they promote. Many will be glad to support a church that’s active and welcoming in the community.
Define your win
Before you reach out, be clear about your goal. Are you promoting a specific event? Hoping to welcome new visitors? Raising awareness about a ministry?
When your goal is clear, you can identify the right partner, set expectations and track results.
Influencer marketing may sound like a strategy for large organizations, but at its heart, it’s what the Church has always done—share good news through trusted voices. Today, those voices just happen to be online.
Jeremy Steele is a writer, conspirator and spiritual entrepreneur who refuses to give up on Christianity. He spends his time resourcing the dreams of the next generation and helping it discover paths to spiritual enlightenment and connection with God. He lives in Arlington, Virginia, and is associate pastor at Chesterbrook UMC. Find more about him and his work at Jeremy-Steele.com