The Influencer Playbook for Startups: Strategies for Effective Partnerships

​Influencer marketing isn’t just about beauty brands and viral dances — it’s one of the most underused growth channels in the startup toolkit.

​When done right, influencer partnerships can build trust faster than any ad campaign, unlock new customer segments, and drive serious results. But where do you start — and how do you make sure you’re not just burning cash for a few likes?

​Join us on April 22 for a session with Valeriya Sokolova, co-founder of Digitalista Agency. Valeriya has led influencer campaigns for both startups and brands like Revolut and Bolt, managing over 500 creators across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, and Twitch. She’ll share how to build an influencer marketing engine that works — no matter your stage or budget.

​We’ll cover:

​🔹 Introduction to influencer marketing for startups – An overview of the opportunities, how creators build trust and drive growth
🔹 Choosing the right partners – Where to find influencers, what criteria to consider (relevance, audience quality, engagement), and how to select the best fit
🔹 Collaboration formats – Paid and unpaid models (product seeding, ambassadorships, cross-promotion), and content co-creation
🔹 Integrating influencers into your funnel – Strategies and examples across the customer journey
🔹 Tracking effectiveness – Tools and metrics to assess impact, optimize campaigns, and scale smart