Looking for Grand Rapids content creators? Meet the Michigan birds
With the fastest-growing economy in West Michigan, Grand Rapids has become a magnet for global consumer brands. With half of its residents under the age of 35, it’s no surprise that many turn to social media to discover new products and services, rather than relying on traditional advertising.
If your brand wants to connect with this dynamic audience, our Grand Rapids content creators, known as hummingbirds, bring the insider’s perspective you need to engage your customers authentically and effectively.
Meet the creators reshaping marketing in Grand Rapids and learn how they can introduce your brand to their loyal followers.
Meet Hummingbirds’ network of Grand Rapids content creators
Grand Rapids hummingbirds are local content creators with local followers. While their reach may not extend far outside their region, their deep connection to the community and their city makes their content feel more trustworthy and relatable.
Riley Bean (@rileyannebean)
Riley brings a touch of romance to her everyday life — whether she’s baking, spending time with loved ones, or sharing her latest discoveries in Grand Rapids. Sometimes glitzy, sometimes silly, and often informative, she frequently showcases her city as the main character of her content.
In a successful Hummingbirds partnership, Riley featured pre-made lobster bisque and lobster tail from Fresh Thyme Market. Set to a romantic song, her short-form video captured cozy moments of her husband preparing the soup, cooking the lobster tails, and garnishing the dish with fresh bread. Intrigued followers commented on how drool-worthy the meal looked and looked forward to trying it themselves!
Hailey Deptula (@itsanuphailbattle)
Hailey, a speech-language pathologist, uses her platform to capture the beauty of everyday life. Whether she’s shopping at her local Costco, testing a new skincare routine, or cooking a delicious dinner, she inspires followers to find magic in the little things.
In one campaign, Hailey worked with Experience Grand Rapids to show off the best of the city in the summertime. On a picture-perfect day, she visited popular local spots, sipping a tasty coffee and browsing unique businesses around town. Her content inspired her audience to get out and explore the city, too!
Madison Hubers (@madisonhubers)
Madison, a wife and mother, shares content centered around what makes her house feel like a home. Her content largely features her family, including her adorable child and adoring husband, but she also highlights some of her favorite places in Grand Rapids.
In a collaboration with OLIPOP, Madison used Instagram Reels to showcase how simple it is to get the brand delivered through Amazon. She highlighted the brand’s many flavors before mixing OLIPOP’s Vintage Cola with marshmallow cream for a fun treat. The post sparked engagement, with one follower commenting that she tried the recipe with root beer instead.
Chelsea Lauto (@chelsea_lauto)
Chelsea is an entrepreneur, wife, and all-around go-getter. Whether she’s modeling formalwear at the symphony, enjoying a night out with friends, or just having fun with her husband, her content is full of energy.
As a hummingbird, Chelsea partnered with OLIPOP for an in-store campaign at her local Costco. In her lively video, she spots the brand in the refrigerated section, grabs the OLIPOP variety pack, and does a little dance with the product — turning an ordinary shopping trip into a memorable moment. Her followers loved the playful energy.
Want to see more eye-catching content? Check out our Grand Rapids Hummingbirds page!
Are hummingbirds the same thing as influencers?
Grand Rapids hummingbirds are local content creators who curate posts specifically for followers in their community. Because they know the city so well, their fresh perspective is often more relatable than standard influencer posts.
Unlike full-time social media influencers, most birds personally know their followers — whether they’re friends, colleagues, or fellow parents. This close-knit connection allows them to speak to their audiences on a deeper level, making their recommendations feel more authentic.
Whatever type of content you’re seeking, hummingbirds can deliver thoughtful, locally inspired posts that resonate. When they partner with brands, their content strategy is often more concise and impactful than standard advertising. Our customers trust that personal touch to inspire real audience engagement and action.
See how hummingbirds connected with Grand Rapids locals!
Downtown Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is bursting with talent, and its downtown scene is a smorgasbord of unique flavors, experiences, and creativity. During the World of Winter festival, the hummingbirds showcased the city’s seasonal art installations and festive winter market events, sharing the magic with their followers.
Grady’s Garden
Grady’s Garden salsa took center stage in this vibrant campaign. With its rich color and bold flavor, it quickly became the star of the hummingbirds’ daily dinner posts. From enchiladas to tacos to nachos, the birds showed off delicious ways to incorporate the condiment, making it a must-try for their audiences.
Experience Grand Rapids
In a digital marketing campaign spotlighting some of the city’s most photogenic spots, the hummingbirds captured magical destinations, sampled incredible food, and even created cozy at-home moments, showing how the city’s charm can inspire a whole vibe.
Christkindl Market
The Christkindl Market brought the holiday spirit to life across the birds’ social media feeds. From twinkling holiday decor to ooey-gooey raclette sandwiches and steaming mugs of mulled wine, the birds highlighted the best of this European-style Christmas market. Their posts connected audiences with dozens of vendors and festive cheer, pulling followers right into the holiday magic.
Restaurant Week
During Restaurant Week, the hummingbirds explored a variety of local eateries, offering their unique takes on the dining experiences. Their posts captured everything from stunning decor to mouthwatering dishes, all paired with perfect musical backdrops that made each visit feel like a mini cinematic event.
What happens after a brand partners with Hummingbirds?
The Hummingbirds platform is your one-stop shop for better social media content. We provide everything you need to strategize, launch, and measure your campaigns. Here’s how it works:
Plan your first campaign
Our platform guides you through every planning stage, offering ideas and insights along the way — from hashtag suggestions to content types that will resonate with your audience on TikTok or Instagram. It’s intuitive and comprehensive, helping you cover all the important details without missing a step.
Partner with local creators in West Michigan
Match with Grand Rapids birds in three simple steps:
Post your campaign goals and requirements: Birds will review your brief and apply if they feel like they’re a good match.
Review pitches and select your birds: Choose the best local influencers for your campaign.
Send a direct invite: Send your chosen content creators a text invite — they’ll have 48 hours to confirm the collaboration.
With Hummingbirds, you won’t need to send endless DMs only to receive nothing in return. Our creators deliver valuable user-generated content (UGC) that genuinely connects with your target audience.
Monitor the campaign and measure success
As your campaign runs, you can track performance metrics directly in our user-friendly dashboard. We make it easy to measure reach, impressions, and conversions, so you always know how well your campaign is resonating.
Running an in-store campaign? We also help you track product movement at specific retailers so you can see how your campaigns perform both online and in real life.
Plus, you can repurpose the fully licensed, high-quality content for future campaigns, using the data provided to fine-tune your strategy and refresh messaging with confidence.
How far does the Hummingbirds network reach?
The Hummingbirds network spans the Midwest, with creators in cities like Detroit, Chicago, Madison, Cincinnati, Lincoln, and the Quad Cities. We deliver proven value for brands seeking to connect with key demographics in Middle America — who typically value a much different approach than coastal audiences.
Take OLIPOP and Goodles Mac, for example. By partnering with local influencers, both brands introduced their products to new markets by showcasing how they fit seamlessly into everyday life. This approach boosted local visibility, strengthened brand recognition, and led to measurable growth in their conversion metrics.
Ready to boost sales in Grand Rapids? Book a call with the Hummingbirds team today!