The best influencer collaboration ideas to try this year
I’ve studied how the top brands turn influencer collabs into real growth — so you don’t have to. Inside this list, you’ll find not just ideas, but action plans — step-by-step guides on how to make each strategy work, plus real-world examples.
Here are the best methods to collab with influencers in 2025👇
1. Sponsored posts
If you’ve ever come across #sponsored, #ad, or “Paid partnership with [Brand]” on social media, then you’ve seen a paid post in action.
The concept is pretty straightforward.
A paid post is when a brand teams up with an influencer to shout out their product on social media or blogs.
This influencer collab idea is a total win because it helps you connect with your ideal audience — people who’ve never heard of your product but are now curious about how it can make their life better.
And let’s be real, the influencer’s credibility boosts your product’s rep. Followers already trust them, so when they recommend something, it hits differently.
For example, Gymshark is huge on Insta, and they often run paid posts with fitness influencers like Chloe Ting. Here’s a post where Chloe shows off some of Gymshark’s new releases, which gets her followers thinking, "I need that."
Another killer example is Glossier. They’ve nailed the art of influencer marketing by teaming up with beauty influencers on TikTok. When someone like Jackie Aina gives a shoutout to Glossier’s products, it feels like a real recommendation from a friend — so her followers are way more likely to check out the brand.
2. Cross-Promotion of Brands on Social Media
Cross-promotion is when your brand teams up with an influencer’s brand to boost both audiences. It’s a win-win strategy. To make it work:
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Pick the Right Influencer. Choose someone whose audience aligns with your target market.
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Create Authentic Content. Keep it true to both brands — think behind-the-scenes, product highlights, or lifestyle moments.
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Agree on the Details. Decide on the type of content, posting frequency, and timing.
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Share Across Platforms. Post on each other’s social media accounts to increase reach and visibility.
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Track Success. Monitor engagement, likes, comments, and clicks to evaluate performance.
Example: IIn 2019, Adidas and Beyoncé's brand, Ivy Park, announced a partnership to create a co-branded collection. This collaboration combined Adidas's sportswear expertise with Ivy Park's fashion-forward designs, resulting in a line of apparel and footwear promoted across both brands' platforms.
The collection aimed to empower and enable the next generation of athletes, creators, and leaders.
Such cross-promotional strategies are effective because they present authentic content to followers, fostering trust and enhancing brand visibility for both the influencer and the company.
Why It Works: It feels natural, fans trust the influencer, and both brands get exposure. Cross-promotion on social media is a powerful way to grow your audience and build trust, all while keeping the content authentic.
3. Product review
Product reviews are one of the most popular collaboration ideas with influencers. No fluff, just the facts. When executed effectively, reviews play a critical role in a buyer’s research process.
If your product receives glowing feedback, potential customers will know exactly what to expect before they make a purchase.
Brands amplify the viral effect by tapping into the influencer's established trust and credibility with their audience. An authentic, well-crafted review from an influencer can drive both awareness and conversions, giving potential customers the confidence to make informed purchasing decisions.
Example: Bethenny Frankel's Honest Product Reviews
Bethenny Frankel often shares candid beauty product reviews on her TikTok, like her recent review of L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion and Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm.
By giving her honest assessments, she provides her audience with valuable insights while boosting the visibility and credibility of these products. This transparency helps her followers make informed decisions, building trust and driving engagement.
How to Nail Your Brand’s Product Review Campaign:
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Pick the Right Platform. Different products thrive on different platforms. For example, SaaS products perform well with in-depth blog or YouTube reviews, while beauty products like lipstick get all the love on Instagram and TikTok.
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Choose Influencers in Your Niche. Make sure the influencer’s audience aligns with your target market to ensure maximum relevance and engagement.
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Let Them Be Honest. No product is perfect, and that's okay! Allow influencers to share both the strengths and any flaws. Honest feedback adds credibility and relatability, and it could also give you an opportunity to improve.
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Show Off Positive Reviews. Reposting glowing reviews on your social media channels gives you extra social proof, making it easier to convince others to buy. The more people talk about how great your product is, the more likely others are to trust it.
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4. Guest Posting as a Content Collaboration Strategy to Expand Brand Reach
It is when you create and publish blog posts on other people’s blogs. It’s a great way to reach a fresh audience and drive traffic to your website. It sounds easy, but to really get results, you need to approach it with a solid strategy.
Here’s the key: writing for authoritative sites in your niche will get you way better results. Look for influencers and bloggers who already have your target audience.
But if you can’t get onto the top platforms, don’t worry — other blogs will work well too.
For example, James Charles, a makeup artist and YouTuber, uses guest posts on sites like Allure and Harper’s Bazaar to talk about beauty trends and his ideas about inclusivity in the beauty industry. These posts not only boost his reputation but also bring in new followers to his platforms.
To effectively manage an influencer handling guest blogging for your brand, consider the following steps:
1. Set Clear Objectives and Expectations
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Determine what you aim to achieve through guest blogging — be it brand awareness, audience expansion, or increased sales.
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Set measurable key performance indicators, such as website traffic, engagement rates, or lead generation, to assess success.
2. Select the Right Influencer
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Ensure the influencer's audience matches your target demographic.
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Evaluate the influencer's engagement rates, including likes, comments, and shares, to gauge their influence.
3. Develop a Detailed Brief
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Provide clear instructions on topics, messaging, and tone to maintain brand consistency.
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Agree on deadlines for content drafts and publication dates to ensure timely delivery.
4. Maintain Regular Communication
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Schedule periodic meetings to discuss progress, address concerns, and adjust strategies as needed.
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Offer constructive feedback to refine content and align it more closely with your brand's objectives.
5. Monitor and Evaluate Performance
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Utilize tools to track the performance of guest posts, such as traffic analytics and social media insights.
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Assess whether the established KPIs are being met and identify areas for improvement.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively oversee an influencer's guest blogging efforts, ensuring they align with your brand's goals and deliver measurable results.
5. Launching a Podcast Series with an influencer
Collaboration ideas with influencers through podcasts can be a powerful way to connect with a broader audience. Here are some steps to help you launch a successful podcast collaboration with an influencer.
1️⃣ Set Clear Objectives and Expectations. Decide if you're aiming for brand awareness, audience growth, or increased sales. Establish measurable goals like traffic, engagement, or lead generation.
2️⃣ Select the Right Influencer. Ensure their followers match your target market and check their interaction rates (likes, comments, shares).
3️⃣ Develop a Brief. Provide clear instructions on topics, messaging, and tone. Agree on deadlines and publication dates to keep things on track.
4️⃣ Maintain Communication. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress and adjust strategies as needed. Offer constructive feedback to refine content and ensure it aligns with your brand.
5️⃣ Monitor and Evaluate. Track performance using traffic and social media insights. Review if you're meeting your goals and adjust accordingly to optimize results.
You can collaborate by joining an influencer's podcast as a guest, sharing your expertise, products, or stories to connect with their audience. Alternatively, sponsor a podcast and make a personal appearance to create a more authentic connection.
Another option is to host your own podcast and invite influencers as guests to tap into their audience and boost your brand’s reach.
Example: Kylie Kelce, wife of NFL player Jason Kelce, launched the podcast "Not Gonna Lie (NGL)".
In it she shares insights on motherhood, relationships, and women's sports. It quickly became a hit, topping Spotify and Apple charts, with segments like "Places I have no business being" and "Five-ish questions."
Her candid, relatable style attracts a loyal audience, especially women and mothers, and features guest appearances from top female athletes. NGL’s success highlights the growing interest in women's sports and authentic discussions on parenting.
6. Creating an Interview Series Videos with Influencers
If you’re looking to make waves with your brand and connect with your audience on a deeper level, creating an interview series with influencers is a total game-changer. It’s like giving your followers a front-row seat to exclusive conversations with the people they look up to.
Here’s why this is such a vibe: Influencer interviews not only build your brand’s credibility but also allow you to showcase your product in a fun, relatable, and engaging way. Think of it like a mini-series where your followers get to hang out with the biggest names in your niche while you spill all the juicy details on what makes your business tick.
Plus, if you’re running a campaign, these interviews can provide endless content that ties directly into your marketing goals.
And guess what? It’s not just about interviewing any influencer.
You want to make sure they align with your audience and share your values. That way, the conversation feels authentic and resonates with viewers. Plus, these interviews can give you tons of content that you can repurpose across social media, YouTube, and even your website.
Addison Rae, a prominent social media influencer, has effectively utilized her platform to promote various brands. Notably, she collaborated with American Eagle for a back-to-school campaign, featuring in TikTok videos, Instagram posts, and in-store promotions.
Here’s how you can do it:
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Pick the Right Influencers. Choose influencers whose style matches your brand vibe. It’s all about that authentic connection with your audience. Don’t just go for someone popular — go for someone who truly vibes with what you’re about.
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Set a Casual Tone. The key to a good interview is keeping it chill. People love the real, raw conversations, so avoid making it feel like an ad. Get them talking about their experiences, and let the conversation flow naturally. If you're running a campaign or have a sponsored product, let it come up organically within the conversation rather than forcing it in.
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Repurpose Your Content. Don’t just drop your interviews and leave them. Use the clips for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and whatever other platform you’re active on. This makes your content live longer and reaches more of your audience.
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Build Engagement. Ask your followers to submit questions for the influencer you’re interviewing. This encourages interaction and makes your audience feel involved in the conversation, which is always a win!
7. Attending Networking Events
If you’re looking to make some serious waves with your brand, it’s time to take things offline and bring the energy of an event into the mix. Social media’s cool and all, but there’s something about meeting your audience IRL that hits different.
Whether you’re dropping new products, hosting a masterclass, or just vibing with your community, events are the perfect way to build those connections in a way that online content just can’t match.
Here’s the deal: The right influencers can totally elevate your event. It’s not just about inviting anyone — you want people who vibe with your audience and add that extra flair. Sure, bringing in big-name influencers might cost a little more, but trust me, the crowd will go wild to see them in the flesh.
And if your event blows up? You could turn it into an annual thing, bringing the heat year after year.
For example, Charli D’Amelio. Partnering with Puma, she brings her massive fanbase to fun, interactive events that get tons of exposure. People get to meet her, learn about new products, and take part in the fun.
The crowd shows up because they’re there for Charli, and brands get to take advantage of that marketing power — Charli’s presence alone is like having the ultimate influencer collaboration.
The best part? It all gets blasted across social media, which gives brands insane online engagement before and after the event.
Oh, and here’s the kicker: Even after the event’s over, those influencers and attendees will be all over their social media sharing the experience. That means you get online buzz and offline vibes in one go. It’s like the best of both worlds, right?
Here’s how to make it pop:
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Pick the Right Spot. Location is EVERYTHING. If your audience is into fitness, think outdoor workouts or a trendy gym. If you’re in the fashion or lifestyle space, find a cool, Instagram-worthy venue. You want it to feel like a vibe.
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Partner with Influencers. You want influencers who can seriously bring the crowd. Sure, it might cost a bit, but the results will be worth it. Look for people whose audience aligns with your brand and marketing goals. When you get that collaboration right, magic happens!
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Capture the Leads. Don’t forget to gather info before or during the event. Whether it’s a registration page or a sign-up sheet, make sure you’ve got a way to follow up with your attendees. You can turn those leads into loyal customers in no time!
8. Product collaboration
It’s not just about slapping your logo on a product – it’s about teaming up with an influencer to create a collection that’s practically their name. Think of it like a drop designed for their fans, by the influencer themselves.
The magic happens when you partner with the right influencer — one who’s already killing it in their niche. Imagine collaborating with someone like Nike did with Michael Jordan for the iconic Air Jordans. You’re tapping into their loyal following, making your product feel like an exclusive, must-have item.
The catch? Fans don’t just buy products, they buy the connection to the influencer. The hype is real. If your influencer is in the game, people will want what you’re selling because it feels like a part of them. Before diving in, test the waters with a few sponsored posts to see if the vibe aligns. Once it clicks, you’re ready to go big.
So how do YOU pull this off?
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Get the influencer’s hands dirty. Make them part of the creative process. When they’re invested in the product, their audience feels it, too.
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Make the product scream their identity. Get their name in the branding, loud and clear. Fans want that exclusivity.
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Build a whole vibe around the collab. Create a dedicated product page on your website that feels like the only place to be when the drop hits.
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Promo, promo, promo. Think discounts, early access, or even a special event to build up that hype.
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Add in a challenge to get the crowd involved. Have fans create content with the product, tag you, and share it across social media.
Example: In 2025, Nike continues its successful collaboration with rapper Travis Scott, releasing new models of the Air Jordan 1 Low. A notable example is the collaboration with Fragment Design, scheduled for September 3, 2025.
These sneakers will be available on Travis Scott's website, Fragment's website, and Nike.com, priced at $150.
9. Brand ambassador program
A brand ambassador is more than just someone posting about your product. They’re the face of your brand, representing your vibe everywhere. They’re fully invested, showing up in ads, promotions, events, and all marketing moments.
Once they become your brand ambassador, they’re committed to your brand, not promoting competitors. It’s a statement of trust — and their followers will be curious to check out your products. This is where creative collaboration and fresh ideas thrive.
But signing an influencer as your ambassador is a serious commitment. Before making it official, do a few sponsored posts to test if they drive the right engagement and align with your brand goals. Testing is key to solid marketing.
A great example of a successful U.S. collaboration is Kettle & Fire teaming up with health influencers. The brand chose bloggers who created eye-catching content that matched its values. They used this content on Instagram and Facebook Ads, reaching more people. The campaign was a hit, making $4 for every $1 spent and boosting brand awareness.
P.S. The brand’s official website features programs like Club Kettle, where users can become brand ambassadors and receive free bone broth each month.
So, what should you keep in mind if you're thinking about bringing an influencer into your brand ambassador program?
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Legal Stuff. Make sure you’ve got a solid contract. This is a business relationship, and you need everything in writing — especially if the ambassador is representing your brand for a while.
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Marketing Strategy. Each ambassador is different. Create a unique strategy for each influencer you bring on board. Not every ambassador will be the right fit for every product or campaign.
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Build the Relationship. Start small, maybe with some sponsored posts or a campaign, and see how the ambassador performs. If they deliver, you’re golden for the next steps.
10. Behind-the-Scenes Features
Want to connect with your audience? Let them see what’s happening behind the scenes. Give influencers a peek into your team, product development, and even your manufacturing process. Let them share the inside scoop with their followers. Whether it's behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with your crew, or day-in-the-life vlogs, it makes your brand feel real and relatable.
Example: Under Armour has collaborated with athletes to provide behind-the-scenes content, including training routines and product development insights.
This approach allows influencers to share authentic content with their audiences, enhancing brand transparency and trust.
11. Co-host a webinar
A webinar is basically like an online seminar where you get to teach your audience something valuable — and it’s a perfect chance to show off your expertise. But here's the kicker: webinars aren’t just for educating. You can use them to actually get more leads and boost your brand awareness.
The real magic happens when you team up with an influencer for your webinar. They bring their own audience, and boom — you’re reaching way more people. The key is choosing an influencer who’s known for their expertise in the topic you want to cover. That way, when they promote the webinar, their followers will show up, and your brand will get all that extra love.
A notable example of a food brand collaborating with an influencer to co-host a webinar is Tastemaker Conference. They offer free, 30-minute webinars designed specifically for brands, featuring influencers like Britney Brown Chamberlain of Britney Breaks Bread and LaKita Anderson of Simply LaKita.
These webinars provide invaluable insights and practical tips on influencer marketing, helping brands enhance their strategies.
12. Brand Trips & Retreats
Brands like Sephora, Lush, Nike, GoPro, and luxury hotels like Four Seasons often invite influencers on exclusive trips or retreats. These experiences let influencers connect with the brand in cool, unique settings, creating authentic content that resonates with their followers. It’s all about giving influencers something exciting to share, boosting the brand’s visibility, and making it feel more personal and relatable.
Think of a brand trip where you take influencers to dreamy destinations, give them hands-on experiences, or even let them see the behind-the-scenes magic of your operations. It’s not just about posting pretty pictures — it’s about creating genuine moments that connect with their audience.
And when you choose the right influencers, ones who actually vibe with your brand, you end up with content that feels real, not forced. This is where collab ideas come to life — blending experiences with creative storytelling to generate buzz.
A perfect example? Jane Fonda, who’s over 80, but still one of the most influential women in Hollywood. She’s worked with eco-friendly brands on exclusive events, traveling to beautiful locations where she can connect with fans and promote sustainability.
Her trip content isn’t just stunning — it’s authentic, passionate, and makes people actually care about what she’s promoting.
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13. Community Challenges
Getting influencers to hype up a mission-driven campaign? That’s how you turn your brand into a movement. Think about it — influencers challenge their followers to do something epic, like completing a set of random acts of kindness, cleaning up the environment, or raising awareness for a cause that matters. It’s about igniting action, making people feel like they’re part of something bigger.
Take Jessica Alba, for example. She partnered with The Honest Company to kick off a massive challenge pushing her followers to get eco-friendly and help out the planet. Her followers went all in, posting their good deeds all over social media, showing off their progress with epic posts on Instagram, TikTok, and more. It wasn’t just about a product drop — it was about building a tribe around real change.
Throw in some gamification — leaderboards, rewards, and shoutouts — and now you’ve got friendly competition that fuels participation. And when you add incentives or match the contributions, it makes your brand feel like it's really backing up the cause.
Those media shout-outs?
They go viral, spreading the word fast and making your campaign impossible to ignore. It's not just about engagement; it's about starting a movement that gets people talking, sharing, and coming together.
14. NFT & Web3 Collaborations
NFTs and Web3 are revolutionizing brand collaborations, especially when influencers get involved. Brands can create exclusive digital assets, such as NFTs or limited-edition collectibles, and partner with influencers to bring them to life for their audiences.
A perfect example?
Adidas partnered with well-known influencer and artist Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) to release an exclusive NFT collection. The collection gave buyers access to limited-edition products, exclusive events, and a unique community experience. This was a perfect collab idea, blending high-fashion with digital culture. Fans rushed to get their hands on these NFTs, making it a huge hit.
You can also take inspiration from Gary Vaynerchuk, who dropped his own VeeFriends NFT collection. By teaming up with influencers in the NFT space, he created a massive challenge to engage his followers.
Buyers of VeeFriends NFTs got not just digital art, but also exclusive real-world experiences and interactions with Gary himself — combining digital and physical experiences seamlessly.
Brands can leverage these kinds of collab ideas to boost engagement and create viral challenges, while positioning themselves as innovators in the Web3 and NFT world.
15. Account takeovers
Want to shake up your social media and skyrocket engagement? Account takeovers are the move. The influencer takes control of your brand’s account for a day, posting content that aligns with your vibe but through their unique perspective. You approve everything first, so it’s all good.
A solid example?
Shudu Gram, the world’s first digital supermodel, took over Balmain’s Instagram during Paris Fashion Week. She shared exclusive content, giving followers a behind-the-scenes look, and created major buzz around the brand.
The takeover was a win for both business and content, bringing in new followers and elevating the brand’s visibility.
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