Build a Gnarly Skateboarding Influencer Marketing Strategy (Without Wipe Outs!)

This fast-growing niche is notoriously hard to break into. We'll show you how brands are working with skater influencers to break through to skeptical consumers.

Skateboarding content creators aren't just shredding bowls—they’re also crushing it in the digital marketing world. If you're a consumer brand looking to connect with skate culture, you can't just roll in sketchy!

You need a solid game plan that respects the scene and delivers ROI.

At All The Stars Aligned, we live and breathe board sports, and we're here to help brands drop in without face-planting. Here's how to work with skateboarding influencers like a pro:

1. Know the Culture—And Respect It

Skaters can spot a poser from a mile away. The culture runs deep, with its own language, style, and rules. Before sliding into a creator’s DMs or greenlighting a campaign, do your homework. Authenticity is everything.

Do:

• Spend time on SkateTok and Instagram Reels.

• Follow core media like Thrasher, Jenkem, William Strobeck and The Berrics.

• Understand that skateboarding isn’t just a sport—it’s a lifestyle, an art form, and in some cases, a rebellion.
  

2. Define What “Success” Looks Like

Are you trying to sell product? Build brand equity? Generate UGC? Collaborate on a capsule drop? Your objective should shape the whole campaign.

Some KPIs to consider:

• Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)

• TikTok Shop conversion

• Follower growth

• Branded hashtag use

• UGC assets you can repurpose
  

Don't just chase views—chase value.

3. Partner with the Right Creators (Not Just the Flashiest)

The most valuable creators aren’t always the ones with the biggest followings. In skate, credibility matters more than clout. Look for skaters who:

• Are embedded in their local scene

• Skate for respected brands or crews

• Have organic engagement, not inflated follower counts

• Align with your vibe (gritty, clean-cut, creative, raw, etc.)
  

We love working with creators like @tracie.love and @samanthamcnall, who combine style, substance, and storytelling. Their audience trusts them—and that’s priceless.

4. Let Them Do Their Thing

Skaters aren’t actors. The best campaigns give creators room to express themselves. Instead of heavy-handed briefs, offer guidelines and let them riff.

For example:

• Instead of “Say this line,” try: “Tell your story with the product in a way that feels natural.”

• Instead of “Post at 10AM PST,” say: “Pick a time when your audience is most hyped.”
  

Trust goes a long way. And when creators feel free to do their thing, they’ll deliver content that feels real—not forced.

5. Keep It Chill—but Be Strategic

You can be laid back and dialed in. Have a launch calendar. Track performance. Get assets approved. But also be human. Relationships matter in this space—don’t ghost your creators or treat them like robots.

Pro tip: Include a content license in your contracts so you can repurpose content on your own socials, ads, or Shopify.

6. Think Beyond the Feed

Skate campaigns don’t have to live only on TikTok or Instagram. Think:

• Product drops co-designed by creators

• Brand takeovers at local skate shops or parks

• Mini docs about the skater’s journey

• Live demos or content filmed on location
  

That kind of crossover between digital and real-world? That’s where the magic happens.

7. Work With a Crew Who Gets It

The skate world doesn’t respond to corporate marketing fluff. If you want to ride this wave, you need a partner who speaks the language and knows the terrain.

At All The Stars Aligned, we connect brands with creators who shred online and on the streets. Whether you’re looking for TikTok virality, gritty UGC, or a long-term creator partnership—we’ve got your back.

Ready to Roll?

If you're hyped to tap into the skate scene and need a strategy that doesn’t wipe out, let's chat. We’ll match you with creators who align with your brand and help build a campaign that feels as natural as a frontside grind. Contact us here to get started.