How to Find and Work with Influencers in Pittsburgh: A Guide for Local Businesses

Brands
Written By Ann Galante

Are you a small business looking to promote your brand through influencer marketing in Pittsburgh? Whether you run a coffee shop in Lawrenceville, a boutique in Shadyside, or a restaurant on the North Side, working with local influencers in Pittsburgh can help you reach new customers—without blowing your budget.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find influencers in Pittsburgh, how much it costs, and how to launch a high-impact campaign that gets real results for your business.

Why Pittsburgh Businesses Are Turning to Local Influencers

The Pittsburgh creator scene is full of food bloggers, lifestyle creators, fashion influencers, and community advocates with highly engaged local followings. These are not celebrity influencers with distant audiences—they're real people with real reach in Pittsburgh neighborhoods like:

  • Lawrenceville

  • Bloomfield

  • East Liberty

  • The Strip District

  • South Side

  • Mount Washington

  • Squirrel Hill

When a Pittsburgh influencer posts about your business, their audience can literally walk through your doors that same day.

How to Work with Influencers in Pittsburgh (Even on a Small Budget)

A common myth is that influencer marketing is only for big brands with big budgets. But that’s not true—especially in Pittsburgh. Many creators are open to partnerships that involve gift cards, free experiences, or exclusive access instead of thousands in cash.

Here’s what’s working for small businesses in Pittsburgh:

  • Restaurants – Offering a complimentary dinner with drinks and dessert in exchange for a reel or carousel post.

  • Coffee shops – Giving creators a $50–$75 gift card to try your most photogenic drinks and pastries.

  • Salons & fitness studios – Hosting a “creator night” with mini-services, refreshments, and giveaways.

  • Boutiques & retailers – Providing early access to new collections and inviting creators to style and post outfits.

These small investments lead to thousands of local impressions and, more importantly, foot traffic from real Pittsburgh customers.

Real Pittsburgh Influencer Campaigns That Drove Results

Here are some examples of Pittsburgh small businesses using local influencer marketing successfully:

  • 🍩 A bakery in the North Hills offered a $75 gift card. One creator’s video went viral locally, bringing in a week’s worth of new customers.

  • 🍳 A brunch spot in the Strip District hosted five influencers for a custom menu tasting. The result? Over 40,000 views from Pittsburghers and a line out the door the following weekend.

  • 💇 A South Side salon ran a creator collaboration night with complimentary services. Their books filled up for two weeks straight.

How to Find Influencers in Pittsburgh (The Easy Way)

If you’ve ever tried to find and contact Pittsburgh influencers on your own, you know how time-consuming it can be. That’s where Relay comes in.

Relay is the fastest way for Pittsburgh businesses to connect with local influencers

Here’s how it works:

  • 🔍 Relay matches your business with verified local creators in your industry

  • 📆 You choose the type of campaign: a one-time post or a full multi-month collaboration

  • 📸 Relay manages the logistics, content collection, and ROI reporting

  • 💰 Prices start as low as $99—making this a no-brainer for small businesses

Whether you’re launching a new product, boosting weekend traffic, or trying to grow on Instagram and TikTok, Relay helps Pittsburgh businesses work with influencers easily and affordably.

Want to Try Influencer Marketing in Pittsburgh?

If you’ve been wondering how to hire influencers in Pittsburgh or where to start, this is your sign. Local creators are excited to support local businesses—and they can help yours grow fast.

👉 Explore Relay’s Pittsburgh Influencer Campaigns and launch your first campaign in just a few minutes.

Ann Galante
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