In an era where 100K-follower influencers often get 0.5% engagement, micro-creators in East Vancouver are pulling 4–6%—with content that feels real, local, and actually gets people through the door.

Platforms like Node and Modash consistently show that creators under 10K in East Van are outperforming their big-name counterparts. The bonus? They’re way more accessible, cost a fraction of the price, and often genuinely care about the brands they work with.

If you’re a local café, shop, or studio, this is your playbook for winning with under-the-radar creators who have real influence where it matters—right here in the neighbourhood.

Step 1: Find the Right Creators

Start with the Modash location filter:

• Set it to “East Vancouver”

• Filter for creators under 10K

• Bonus: Check hashtags like #EastVanEats or #YVRMakers on Instagram and TikTok for organic gems

What you’re looking for:

• Consistent posting

• Strong engagement (comments, not just likes)

• A vibe that matches your brand—whether that’s moody café-core, hyperlocal lifestyle, or DIY fashion

Step 2: Trade Value, Not Just Cash

Micro-creators don’t need big fees—they want creative freedom, good content, and real community.

Instead of:

$250/post flat fee

Try:

A $50–$100 gift card
A spotlight video on your brand’s page
Exclusive access to a launch or event

When you treat them like collaborators instead of ad space, the content feels authentic and performs better.

Step 3: Co-Create, Don’t Just Sponsor

Invite your chosen creators to film inside your business. Not only does it create unique, branded content, but it also builds social proof.

Example ideas:

• A “behind-the-brew” or “behind-the-counter” mini-doc in your café

• A try-on haul filmed inside your boutique

• A “prep with me” before a tattoo appointment or event set-up

This style of content feels like a story, not a sales pitch and that’s what gets shared.

Step 4: Whitelist & Boost Their Posts

Once a post goes live, don’t stop there. Use whitelisting to run their post as an ad through your own account.

Why this works:

• Their voice + your budget = powerful reach

• You can control targeting and budget

• It still feels native, not corporate

This keeps costs low while maximizing performance and helps stretch a $100 collab into a week-long campaign.

Tip: Ditch the 5-Page Brief

Creators aren’t looking for legalese. They want clarity, vibe, and creative trust.

Instead of sending a PDF with brand guidelines, send:

• A quick Loom or voice note

• Visual references: “Think lo-fi lighting, no background music, cozy vibe”

• A one-pager with must-mentions, mood, and timeline

When the vibe matches early, you get better content and build stronger long-term relationships.

Big accounts may get big reach but micro-influencers get the kind of engagement that leads to real action. They drive foot traffic. They make your name come up in group chats. They spark loyalty.

East Vancouver has a goldmine of creators who actually influence. The brands that grow fastest here? They know exactly who to partner withand how to make that partnership count.

At Foreword, we help East Van brands build smart creator strategies rooted in community, not algorithms. Ready to find your micro-dream team? Let’s chat.