Brands planning influencer advertising have two routes: hire an influencer agency, or book creators directly on a marketplace. Both have advantages. This comparison shows when each one fits better.
Quick comparison
| Criterion | Influencer agency | Marketplace (e.g. Influsa) |
|---|---|---|
| Process | briefing, selection, negotiation and handling by the agency | you choose creators yourself and book directly |
| Costs | creator fee plus agency markup or project fee | creator fee plus platform fee (on Influsa 12%, 8% on Pro, 5% on Premium) |
| Effort for you | low | medium: you handle selection and briefing |
| Transparency | depends on the agency | creator prices are publicly visible |
| Speed | often several weeks until launch | booking can happen immediately |
| Suited for | large campaigns, several markets, strategy and reporting | single posts, tests, smaller budgets, fast execution |
When does an agency make sense?
- You are planning a large, multi-stage campaign with strategy, concept and reporting.
- You have little in-house know-how or no time to coordinate with many creators.
- You need legal certainty, contracts and briefings from a single source.
When does a marketplace make sense?
- You want to book single posts and compare prices up front.
- You are testing different creators before planning bigger.
- You want to work without an agency markup and steer the selection process yourself.
How does a booking on Influsa work?
- Search creators by platform, niche and country.
- View the package and price in the profile.
- Book and pay: the money is held in escrow until the post is live.
- Review and approve the post.
No subscription is needed to book. With the Pro plan (€99/month) the fee drops to 8%, with the Premium plan (€199/month) to 5%. Details: pricing and plans.
Checklist: how to decide
- What is your monthly budget?
- Do you need strategy and reporting, or just bookings?
- How many creators do you want to manage at the same time?
- Do you have time for selection and briefing?
- How important is price transparency to you?
FAQ
What does an influencer agency cost?
That depends on the services and the scope of the campaign.
Can I book influencers without an agency?
Yes, through marketplaces or by contacting creators directly.
How do I avoid fake followers?
Check engagement, audience and previous collaborations, and ask to see statistics.
Does influencer advertising have to be labelled?
Yes, paid collaborations must be recognisable as advertising.