Siliguri is growing. Not just in terms of buildings, cafes, and traffic — but also digitally.
Over the last few years, the way people discover new places to shop, eat, or hang out has slowly changed. Earlier, it was mostly through word of mouth, local newspapers, hoardings, or maybe a friend’s recommendation. Today, it’s often through a reel on Instagram or a review in a creator’s story.
That doesn’t mean traditional ways have stopped working — far from it. But there’s now a new kind of local word-of-mouth that lives online, and it’s being driven by influencers and content creators right here in Siliguri.
Let’s take a closer look at how this shift is happening, and how local creators are shaping the business scene in Siliguri.
What exactly is Influencer Marketing?
Influencer marketing is a type of digital marketing in which a person with a following on social media (an influencer) talks about a product or service — and that helps the brand get more attention, trust, and hopefully, sales.
Why Businesses in Siliguri are turning to Influencer Marketing?
Influencer marketing is a billion-dollar business around the world including India. It is gradually becoming one of the best ways to promote a business and is quickly rising. As per EY, about 56% of Indian brands are investing more than 2% of their revenue towards influencer marketing to enhance audience reach.
Here’s why more and more local shops, cafes, makeup artists etc. are reaching out to influencers in Siliguri:
Visibility: A reel that hits even a few thousand views can give a new cafe or boutique a boost in awareness and customers.
Trust: People often follow creators whose tastes match theirs. If that creator says “this café has the best cold coffee,” or “this boutique has amazing designer clothes”, chances are their followers will believe it.
Relatability: Influencers speak in a casual tone, use local references, and show real experiences unlike the polished ads.
Shift from Traditional to Digital Marketing: Businesses are moving away from newspaper advertisements and putting their money into local digital influencers who get higher reach and return on investment (ROI) since more consumers are spending time online, it brings the right opportunity to connect with the prospective customers.
Types of Influencers in Siliguri
Influencer marketing in Siliguri is picking up fast, with creators from different fields helping local businesses get more reach and engagement. Whether it’s through reels, stories, or YouTube videos, these influencers are shaping how people discover food, fashion, places, and more.
Here are the main types of influencers active in Siliguri:-
Food Bloggers
These food bloggers and content creators focus on trying and reviewing food across Siliguri, from street snacks to fine dining. Creators like @foodie_delight_siliguri_, @foodauradventure, @thefoodstory often post honest reviews and trending reels that quickly grab attention.
Who can collaborate with them:
- Cafes and restaurants
- Bakeries and dessert brands
- Food delivery startups
- Food festivals and cloud kitchens
Here’s an example of a food influencer collaborating with a café in Siliguri:
Travel Influencers
Travel influencers showcases local spots, offbeat places, nearby destinations like Darjeeling or Dooars. Instagrammers like @whereixpaul , @arka.films_ and many others use storytelling and aesthetics to highlight local and offbeat tourism spots and places to stay.
Who can collaborate with them:
- Homestays and resorts
- Tour operators and travel agents
- Car rental companies
Here’s a reel showing how a travel creator collaborated with a homestay near Siliguri:
Fashion Influencers
These influencers help promote boutiques, salons, makeup artists, and even clothing stores. Creators like @simran.d_, @flawsthatshine, @whytwolive are known for reels offering fashion picks, makeup tutorials and product reviews.
Who can collaborate with them:
- Boutiques and local clothing brands
- Jewelry and accessory stores
- Makeup artists and beauty salons
Check out this reel where a creator is promoting a salon in Siliguri:
Fitness & Wellness Creators
This group covers a broader range — talking about daily routines, self-care, productivity, skincare, or even mental health tips. Some also create content around healthy eating, yoga, or gym workouts. While fewer in number, creators like @akashhhh_____001 or @rebeshpradhanofficial post relatable content that quietly builds loyal engagement.
Who can collaborate with them:
- Spas and wellness centers
- Fitness studios and gyms
- Stores selling sports products
Check out this reel where a creator is promoting a sports equipment in Siliguri.
How Can Local Businesses Collaborate with Influencers in Siliguri?
If you’re a local business owner in Siliguri and want to work with influencers, there are many ways to do it. The important thing is choosing the right method that suits your goals, product type, and audience.
Here are some common collaboration methods:
1. Barter Deals (Product or Service Exchange)
In this method, you can offer your product or service in exchange for a post or story.
2. Paid Promotions
Once you’ve built a little trust or want a more professional approach, you can go for paid collaborations for a reel, static post or a mention in the story. In this method, you pay the influencer a fixed fee for promoting your product.
3. Podcast Collaborations
Though still new in Siliguri, some creators like the duo Sonali and Khushboo, known as Whytwolive, have started a podcast called The Uncut Stories, where they interview business owners have started, a podcast to interview business owners. It’s a more meaningful, long-form way to share your story. This is a very ideal way for startups.
Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing & Collaborating with Influencers
- Don’t chase big follower numbers. Focus on influencers whose audience matches your niche & target audience.
- Check their content style, quality and engagement. It should feel genuine and align with your brand personality.
- See if their vibe aligns with your brand. The collaboration should feel natural, not forced.
- Be clear about deliverables. Whether it’s 1 reel, 2 stories, or a mention, note everything down.
- And if you’re looking to better understand how these online strategies work behind the scenes, learning a bit about digital marketing can really help.
- Keep communication professional but friendly. This helps build long-term relationships.
Although influencer marketing in Siliguri is still growing, it’s already making a big difference for local businesses. In fact, even simple methods like barter or a shoutout can help you reach more people in a real, relatable way. It’s all about building connections and growing together in this digital age.