The Reality of Chasing Followers

It's true, followers aren't everything. But YOUR followers ARE.

Everyone is trying to get to 10K. Getting "verified" by Instagram is a milestone many of us dream of. But for the rest of us who aren't bona fide celebrities, let's take a look at the reality behind chasing followers.

Let's keep using the Instagram model, for example. There are many accounts sitting at 10k or over, still waiting and griping over years of hard work and study on how to crack the analytical popularity code that is Instagram. Because Instagram will in fact hide your posts- simply for not thinking they are cool enough. And at first, nobody is cool.

Because after you hit 10k followers, there is still a vetting process that can last up to 30 days before reapplying at a later time. Apply too many times, and they'll just cancel your requests altogether and probably stop showing your posts again.

So what's the deal?

Authenticity. The social media buzzword of it's time if there ever is one. And in a time where the seemingly fake even seems real, we aren't surprised to read some pretty frivolous advice given by some pretty credible resources in 2021 regarding gaining followers.

Like Instagram Pods. If you don't know what an Instagram Pod is, it's essentially a posse you join on Instagram itself for the sole purpose to like, comment, & share each other's content. In return you gain access to each other's follower reach and more likes and such. While this seems like a legitimate way to support one another with like minded industry content, it has become saturated with consistently unorganized "one-upping". Because why stop at joining one pod? Heck let's join 10!

While that can work to up followers initially, it's not a long term game to play. The followers are frivolous and the numbers fluctuate. Inevitably they forget where they saw this thing they're now looking at that doesn't resonate a week later. And like we all tend to do, we unfollow.

It's best to find things organically that compliment your account. When you're researching a hashtag you legitimately use because it pertains to your content, you run across the same for others. Those are the ones to follow yourself, comment and connect with-especially your local community accounts. And, it takes time to make friends. Sometimes it takes a year before you and your connections are comfortable enough to DM on the reg. It's online networking people.

AND IT TAKES TIME.

But it's true, social media friends become some of the most solid, mutually supportive friendships you'll ever obtain.

Followers aren't everything, but Your followers ARE.

Current followers are 70% more likely to make a purchase from your source alone. So tap into them, create for them and get to know them.

This is what we call nano marketing. In nano marketing you tap into a niche market and max out as much profit as possible from a smaller group with a hyper focused approach. Nano marketing is also a really good time to possibly use some "nano influencers". Nano influencers (followers 1k-10k) have high engagement rates with followers who view them as a relatable friend next door. They typically adore the brands they selectively choose and create a lot of local pull. So, hiring out a nano influencer to run a few stories about you is definitely not the worst marketing tactic you could do!

We wish we could sit here and tell you we can get you to 5k in 6 months. But we don't know that and we aren't going to pay for followers. (Don't pay for followers).

What we do know is that we can offer cohesive content, branding that works & personality that engages.

So remember to be realistic, the laws of natural growth and networking nature still apply to the social media grind. The absolute best you can do is to be your brand, network online, make sure you consistently have eye-catching content, and real things to say about it.

The followers will come.