This summer, I am interning with a local judge here in the Houston area who works in the civil court. Additionally, I am volunteering at the Children's Assessment Center.

I find Instagram and TikTok to be the most effective platforms for influencer outreach because they're highly interactive and designed for short-form content that captures attention quickly. Both platforms make it easy for influencers to engage directly with their audiences through comments, stories, live streams, and trends, which helps build authentic relationships and trust.

I especially find TikTok compelling because content is highlighted from smaller creators, which allows for a robust for you page that is both catered to the user and brand-pushing ad content. Since many consumers have shorter attention spans and consume content quickly, these platforms are effective for delivering concise, memorable messages that drive engagement and brand awareness.

First, I would research all facets of the brand and its many layers, whether it be its demographics or the audience it engages best with. Then I would look for influencers whose audiences closely align with those characteristics, rather than focusing only on follower count. I pay attention to engagement rates, audience interactions, content style, authenticity, and whether the influencer's values match the brand. For example, through my experience as an Aerie Brand Ambassador, I saw how customers respond best to authentic recommendations and relatable content. I also researched audience trends and community concerns during a campaign simulation with Running Start, which taught me the importance of understanding what resonates with a specific audience before developing outreach strategies.

I would choose influencers whose communities genuinely match the brand's target audience and goals