The best examples of social media influencer partnerships brands can actually learn from

Real examples of social media influencer partnerships that worked

If you’re searching for examples of social media influencer partnerships, you don’t need vague stories from 2017. You need recent, specific, and measurable campaigns. Below are real examples from 2022–2025 that show how brands are using creators strategically across platforms.

Example of a beauty brand: e.l.f. Cosmetics and TikTok creators

e.l.f. Cosmetics has quietly become one of the best examples of social media influencer partnerships done right. Instead of one-off posts, they build repeat collaborations with mid-tier TikTok creators who already obsess over affordable beauty.

They’ve:

• Co-created TikTok sounds and trends tied to product launches
• Used creators to demo products in short-form tutorials
• Encouraged user-generated content (UGC) challenges that piggyback on creator posts

What makes this a standout example of a smart influencer partnership is the mix of scale and specificity. e.l.f. doesn’t just chase follower counts; they work with creators whose audiences actually buy drugstore makeup. Their viral "Eyes Lips Face" campaign, which started pre-2020 and evolved through years of creator collaborations, helped drive online sales and brand awareness among Gen Z. This is one of those real examples of social media influencer partnerships where creative control is shared: creators shape the content format while the brand anchors the message.

Fitness and wellness example: Gymshark’s long-term athlete partnerships

If you want a textbook example of social media influencer partnerships built for the long haul, look at Gymshark. They built their entire brand around fitness creators on YouTube, Instagram, and now TikTok.

Instead of quick sponsored posts, Gymshark:

• Signs athletes and fitness creators as long-term “Gymshark Athletes”
• Involves them in product feedback and early testing
• Features them in launch campaigns, live events, and meetups

The best examples of social media influencer partnerships look more like joint ventures than ads. Gymshark’s creators feel like part of the company, not rented attention. This approach helps their content cut through the skepticism around fitness sponsorships, which is especially important as audiences become more attuned to misinformation and unrealistic body standards. For context, even public health organizations like the CDC emphasize realistic, sustainable physical activity—Gymshark’s better creators tend to align with that, focusing on strength, consistency, and mental health.

Consumer tech example: Google Pixel and creator-led photography

Google’s Pixel phone marketing is another example of social media influencer partnerships that align product strengths with creator talent. Instead of generic “unboxing” deals, Google taps photographers, travel vloggers, and lifestyle creators to showcase the Pixel’s camera.

Campaigns have included:

• TikTok and Instagram Reels showing low-light photography and motion capture
• Side-by-side comparisons with other phones, framed as creator opinions
• Hashtag campaigns encouraging followers to post their own photos

These examples of social media influencer partnerships work because the product shines visually. Creators aren’t forced to stretch; they simply use the Pixel to do what they already do best. The takeaway: match the platform, the creator’s content style, and your product’s real strengths.

Food and beverage example: Starbucks and seasonal drink creators

Starbucks consistently offers a strong example of social media influencer partnerships around seasonal drinks and limited-time offers. Rather than just running polished brand ads, they:

• Partner with lifestyle and food creators to try new drinks on camera
• Encourage “drink hacks” and customizations that creators share with followers
• Use TikTok and Instagram to spark trends around specific menu items

Some of the best examples here involve micro-influencers who specialize in coffee, food hacks, or budget-friendly treats. Their audiences actively want recommendations, which translates into more store visits and app orders.

Starbucks’ approach shows that the strongest real examples of social media influencer partnerships aren’t always massive celebrity deals; they’re often dozens of small, targeted collaborations that add up.

B2B example: HubSpot and LinkedIn/YouTube creators

Influencer marketing isn’t just for beauty and beverages. HubSpot is a solid example of a B2B social media influencer partnership strategy. They work with marketing, sales, and SaaS creators on LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcasts.

Campaign formats include:

• Co-branded YouTube videos about CRM strategies and marketing automation
• LinkedIn carousels and posts from respected marketers who already use HubSpot
• Podcast sponsorships where hosts walk through real use cases

These examples of social media influencer partnerships focus less on hype and more on education. HubSpot leans into the creator’s credibility: marketers trust other marketers who show their dashboards and workflows. For B2B brands, this is one of the best examples of how to translate influencer tactics into high-consideration purchases.

For marketers who want to ground their strategies in evidence, resources like Harvard Business School’s working knowledge on digital marketing and consumer behavior can help validate which buyer behaviors are most influenced by social proof.

Health and wellness example: Registered dietitians and evidence-based content

In the health space, real examples of social media influencer partnerships that respect evidence and regulations stand out. Brands in supplements, meal kits, or wellness apps increasingly partner with registered dietitians (RDs) and certified trainers rather than generic “fitness influencers.”

A typical example of this model:

• A meal-planning app sponsors an RD on Instagram and TikTok
• The RD creates short videos explaining how to build balanced meals
• The content references reputable sources like NIH or Mayo Clinic when discussing nutrition science

These are some of the best examples because they combine influence with credentials. As misinformation on social platforms grows, brands that anchor their influencer content in science gain trust. In fact, organizations like NIH have increasingly highlighted the role of digital communication in public understanding of health, which indirectly supports this kind of partnership.

Creator-led product lines: MrBeast and Feastables

Another powerful example of social media influencer partnerships is when the creator effectively becomes the brand. MrBeast’s Feastables chocolate bars and snacks show what happens when a massive YouTube audience is paired with physical products.

Key aspects of this model:

• The influencer has equity and real skin in the game
• Content integrates the product naturally into challenges and videos
• Distribution partnerships (e.g., major retailers) amplify the social buzz

While not every company can manufacture a creator-first brand, traditional brands can adapt parts of this approach. For instance, they can co-create limited-edition products with a creator—flavors, packaging, or bundles—and let the influencer lead the story on social media. These hybrid brand–creator collabs are rapidly becoming some of the best examples of social media influencer partnerships in CPG.

2024–2025 trends shaping the best influencer partnership examples

If you look across all these examples of social media influencer partnerships, some clear 2024–2025 trends emerge:

1. Long-term relationships beat one-off posts
Brands are moving from single sponsored posts to 6–12 month relationships and always-on ambassador programs. This gives creators time to tell real stories and show repeated usage, which audiences interpret as more authentic.

2. Micro and nano creators are outperforming mega influencers on ROI
Follower counts matter less than fit and engagement. A fitness brand might see better cost-per-acquisition from ten creators with 50,000 followers each than from one celebrity with 5 million followers.

3. Short-form video is the default format
TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts dominate new examples of social media influencer partnerships because they match how people discover products now: quick, visual, and algorithm-driven.

4. Transparency and disclosures are non-negotiable
Regulators like the FTC in the U.S. expect clear disclosure of sponsored content. Smart brands treat this as a trust-building tool, not a burden. If you’re structuring your own campaigns, review the FTC’s endorsement guidelines so your influencer partnerships stay compliant.

5. Data and attribution are getting sharper
The strongest real examples of social media influencer partnerships now include unique discount codes, trackable links, and post-purchase surveys asking, “Where did you hear about us?” This helps marketers identify which creators and platforms actually drive revenue, not just impressions.

How to model your strategy on the best examples of social media influencer partnerships

Studying examples of social media influencer partnerships is only useful if you translate them into action. Here’s how to adapt what works:

Align creator type with your product and customer journey

• Beauty and fashion: visual-first creators on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
• B2B SaaS: educators and practitioners on LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcasts
• Health and wellness: credentialed experts who reference sources like Mayo Clinic or NIH

Think in campaigns, not posts
The best examples rarely hinge on a single post. Plan:

• A teaser phase (unboxing, first impressions)
• A launch phase (tutorials, reviews, live Q&A)
• A follow-up phase (results, updates, user stories)

Give creators room to speak in their own voice
Every strong example of an influencer partnership has this in common: the content feels like the creator, not a press release. Provide guardrails (claims, compliance, required mentions), then let them handle the storytelling.

Measure the right metrics for your goal

• Awareness: reach, views, branded search volume
• Consideration: saves, shares, comments with buying intent
• Conversion: sales tracked via codes, links, or self-reported attribution

When you look back at the best examples of social media influencer partnerships, they all tie creative ideas to clear business metrics.

FAQ: Real examples and practical questions about influencer partnerships

What are some real examples of social media influencer partnerships that small businesses can copy?
Local gyms partnering with micro fitness creators on Instagram to promote new classes; indie coffee shops working with neighborhood food TikTokers to feature seasonal drinks; Etsy sellers collaborating with DIY YouTubers to show how to style or use their products. These are scaled-down versions of the Gymshark, Starbucks, and e.l.f. models.

Can you give an example of a bad influencer partnership?
A typical negative example of an influencer partnership is when a creator promotes a product completely outside their niche—like a hardcore gaming creator suddenly pushing a random skincare brand with no context. Engagement drops, comments call out the mismatch, and both brand and creator lose credibility.

How do I find influencers for my brand based on these examples?
Reverse-engineer the examples of social media influencer partnerships you admire. Look at:

• Who already talks about your category organically
• Which creators get thoughtful comments, not just likes
• Who uses products similar to yours in a believable way

Then reach out with a clear value proposition, not just a generic “collab?” message.

Are long-term partnerships always better than one-off collaborations?
Not always, but most of the best examples suggest they work better for trust and sales. One-off posts can work well for launches or tests, but if a creator’s audience only sees your product once, it often feels like an ad, not a recommendation.

Do I need big budgets to replicate the best examples of social media influencer partnerships?
No. Many of the most effective modern examples rely on micro-influencers, product gifting plus commission, and repurposing creator content in your own paid ads. Budget helps, but strategy and fit matter more.

The bottom line: when you study examples of social media influencer partnerships that actually drove results, a pattern emerges. The best examples are:

• Long-term, not one-and-done
• Built on audience fit, not just follower counts
• Measured with real business metrics
• Transparent, credible, and aligned with evidence where health or finance are involved

Use these real examples as templates—not scripts—and you’ll be far ahead of brands still treating influencer marketing as a box to check.