Why Long-Term Influencer Collaborations Matter in Germany
By Valentina Foykar, Founder of Hey Stranger Marketing
When I started Hey Stranger, influencer marketing wasn’t even on our service list.
At the time, I supported clients with consulting: creating campaign strategies, setting up proper tracking, and helping teams make decisions based on real results.
But very quickly, I realized something: many international brands struggle with influencer marketing in Germany - especially when they don’t have a local team or deep knowledge of the market.
Having worked with talented German creators in my previous career, I had a strong understanding of the local influencer landscape - particularly YouTube, which remains the number one platform I recommend for most brands entering Germany.
The problem: one-off influencer campaigns don’t work in Germany
In Asia, the mindset is often: collaborate with an influencer once → expect a strong ROI → move on.
But in Germany, that rarely works.
Why?
Because German customers care about trust.
It’s not possible to show up once and expect audiences to believe in your brand immediately. Trust needs consistency.
The solution: authentic long-term collaborations
That’s where long-term influencer partnerships come in. When an influencer repeatedly features your brand, uses your product naturally, and mentions it over time, trust starts to build. Audiences begin to recognize the product as part of the influencer’s lifestyle - not just a one-time paid integration.
When long-term partnerships are fair, and the influencer genuinely believes in the product, they’ll often even mention it outside of paid collaborations. That’s when influencer marketing becomes truly authentic.
The hidden benefits of long-term collaborations
Beyond trust, there are practical advantages too:
Better cost efficiency: Long-term contracts often reduce CPMs or overall fees. You’re offering security, which lets influencers commit more fully to your brand.
Access to peak seasons: Influencers usually reserve their limited Black Friday or Christmas spots for long-term partners. This means you’re visible during the highest conversion periods.
Growing with smaller creators: Investing early in smaller influencers allows you to scale with them. Even as they grow, you often benefit from lower locked-in rates.
Should you sign a long-term contract right away?
Not immediately. The smarter path is to start with a test collaboration:
How does the influencer’s community respond to your brand?
Do you see positive engagement and no red flags?
Does the collaboration feel natural?
If yes, then it’s worth exploring a longer commitment.
Final thoughts
In 2025, influencer marketing in Germany isn’t about chasing quick wins. It’s about building sustainable relationships that deliver both trust and conversions.
After all, at Hey Stranger we are no longer only consulting on influencer marketing. Over the past years, we’ve built strong relationships with talented creators in Germany - and we love bringing brands and influencers together.
No matter if you’re looking for more insights into influencer marketing in Germany, building your influencer framework and reporting, or need hands-on support with coordinating campaigns in the DACH region - we’re here for you, especially if you are still planning your campaigns for Black Friday 2025 or Christmas 2025.
