The Lazy Influencer Method: How Handmade Sellers Can Tap Into Easy Marketing

Grow Your Brand with Minimal Effort by Leveraging the Power of Micro-Influencers

Influencer marketing may seem intimidating, especially for handmade sellers, but here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be! Enter the Lazy Influencer Method, a clever way to leverage micro-influencers to build buzz around your handmade products with minimal effort.

Originating from the viral TikTok video by @sellanythingonline, this strategy is not only simple but incredibly effective for small business owners like you.

If you’re tired of spending hours on marketing without seeing a big return, the Lazy Influencer Method might just be the shortcut you need to grow your business without draining your energy or your wallet.

What is the Lazy Influencer Method?

The Lazy Influencer Method revolves around the idea of finding small influencers who already use and love products similar to yours, then asking them to promote your product in exchange for free items or a small fee. The influencers might not have millions of followers, but their small, loyal audiences are often more engaged—making them the perfect marketing partners for handmade sellers.

With the right approach, this method can help you create authentic buzz and attract new customers without needing to create every piece of content yourself.

How Handmade Sellers Can Use the Lazy Influencer Method

Identify Micro-Influencers in Your Niche Start by searching for micro-influencers (those with 5K–50K followers) who focus on your product category. For example, if you make artisanal candles, look for influencers who talk about home decor, DIY crafts, or self-care. Don’t forget to check platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for creators with consistent engagement.

Pro Tip: When looking for influencers, don’t just look at follower counts—look at their engagement rates (comments, likes, shares). Often, smaller influencers have stronger connections with their audience than larger influencers.
Engage Authentically Before Reaching Out Don’t make your first interaction with an influencer a cold email or DM asking for a favor. Instead, start by following them, liking their posts, and leaving thoughtful comments. Once you’ve warmed up the connection, reach out and introduce your brand.
Example Message:"Hey [Influencer’s Name], I’ve been loving your content around [topic related to your product]! I own a small handmade shop, [Your Shop Name], and I think you’d really enjoy our [product]. I’d love to send you some to try, and if you like them, maybe we could work together on a post for your audience. Let me know what you think!"
Offer Something Valuable Influencers don’t need to be paid hundreds of dollars upfront. Many micro-influencers are open to collaborations where they receive free products in exchange for a post or review. For handmade sellers, this is a budget-friendly way to create authentic content and reach new customers.
You could even create a custom discount code for their followers—this not only incentivizes sales but also allows you to track where your traffic and sales are coming from.
Create a Simple Collaboration Plan Once an influencer agrees to collaborate, make it as easy as possible for them. Provide all the details they need upfront, such as product features, any messaging you’d like them to include, and whether they should tag you in their posts. But don’t overcomplicate it—part of the charm of the Lazy Influencer Method is keeping things low-effort for both you and the influencer.

Why the Lazy Influencer Method Works for Handmade Sellers

Low Investment, High Return: Unlike traditional advertising, where you can easily spend hundreds on a single ad, the Lazy Influencer Method requires only a small upfront cost for products, shipping, or a small collaboration fee.
Authenticity: Customers today value authenticity, and micro-influencers are trusted voices within their communities. Their endorsements come across as more genuine and relatable than big celebrity campaigns.
Targeted Audiences: Micro-influencers cater to specific niches, which means their followers are more likely to care about your product. For handmade sellers, this is key because you’re not trying to appeal to the masses—you’re trying to reach people who appreciate quality, craftsmanship, and unique products.
Real-World Results: I recently used the Lazy Influencer Method to reach out to a handful of Instagram influencers in the self-care and wellness space for my handmade candle brand. After sending a few of them my products in exchange for a review, I saw a 17% increase in sales in just one month. And the best part? I didn’t spend hundreds on paid ads—I simply leveraged the power of influencers who already loved my niche.

2 More Influencer Campaign Ideas for Handmade Sellers

Unboxing Videos Send your handmade products to influencers with instructions to record an unboxing video. This content is easy to create, highly engaging, and perfect for Instagram Stories, Reels, or TikTok. These videos allow potential customers to experience the joy of opening and using your product through the eyes of someone they trust.
Holiday Gift Guides Partner with influencers to feature your products in their holiday gift guides. Whether it’s a “Gift Ideas for Her” or “Self-Care Gifts,” influencers can spotlight your product to their audience during peak holiday shopping seasons. Just in time for Black Friday and Christmas! Get our free Holiday Gift Guide template here.

Final Thoughts: Give It a Try and Grow Your Handmade Business

The Lazy Influencer Method is a fantastic way for handmade sellers to grow their audience and boost sales without investing a ton of time or money. It’s simple, effective, and allows you to reach your ideal customers through authentic influencer endorsements.

So, what’s stopping you from reaching out to a few influencers today? Just one good collaboration could lead to new fans, repeat customers, and more buzz for your handmade brand.