Growing an audience is a vital aspect of establishing a successful business as an influencer. Whether it’s on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or even LinkedIn, earning the trust and attention of thousands of people is crucial when aspiring to become a full-time content creator. While cracking the algorithm can sometimes be a stroke of luck, many influencers have developed concrete strategies and valuable tips along their journey to building a substantial following. Some prioritize consistent content creation, while others leverage tools offered by creator economy startups.
Take Joy Ofodu, for example, a comedy content creator who recently left a full-time job at Instagram. She discovered that focusing on a specific niche, such as dating content, propelled her career as a creator. “That’s all I posted about for about two years,” shared Ofodu, who saw her audience explode as a result. Currently, she boasts 114,000 Instagram followers, a significant increase from when she started posting more regularly in 2020.
Insider has had the opportunity to interview numerous influencers and creator economy experts about audience growth on various social platforms. Here’s a glimpse into how people are successfully building a following on platforms ranging from Instagram to LinkedIn.
Instagram:
Jaden Versluis, a talent manager and travel creator, began posting regularly on Instagram in May. At the time, he had around 4,000 followers. Within three months, his audience had grown to an impressive 140,000 followers. Versluis emphasized the influence of search-engine optimization (SEO) in enhancing content discoverability. According to him, regardless of the platform used, incorporating relevant keywords into captions is crucial.
YouTube:
YouTube is often considered one of the most challenging platforms to grow an audience on. Paddy Galloway, a creator and YouTube strategist, delves into the essential factors for gaining subscribers on the platform. As a strategist, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top creators, including MrBeast. Galloway is optimistic about the growth potential of YouTube Shorts, the platform’s TikTok competitor. He recommends posting Shorts on main channels, stating that he hasn’t observed a negative correlation between Shorts and long-form content competition.
TikTok:
TikTok has propelled numerous creators to fame. Corey Sheridan, TikTok’s head of music, suggests that livestreams and engaging with comments can drive growth. Victoria Paris, a lifestyle influencer, built her audience by posting multiple TikToks daily and actively responding to and liking comments on her videos. Today, she boasts over 1.5 million followers on the app. For some creators, a single viral moment can kickstart their momentum. Nate White, a fashion designer based in New York City, experienced this firsthand when his “stank walk challenge” video went viral, leading to a significant influx of followers.
LinkedIn:
Although not typically associated with content creators, LinkedIn has invested heavily in becoming another platform for creators to showcase their work. Over the past two years, the professional social network has introduced new features, creator accelerator programs, and even podcasts to support creators. Callie Schweitzer, LinkedIn’s head of creator programs, highlights the importance of utilizing the platform’s creator mode to grow an audience. Enabling this feature prompts other LinkedIn users to “follow” you, increasing the visibility of your content. If these strategies don’t yield the desired results, hiring a LinkedIn ghostwriter can be an alternative solution to creating engaging content and increasing visibility on the platform.
In conclusion, building a substantial audience is a multifaceted endeavor for influencers. While strategies may vary across platforms, consistent content creation, niche focus, search-engine optimization, engaging with followers, and leveraging platform-specific features are some of the key factors that contribute to audience growth. By implementing these proven techniques and staying dedicated to their craft, content creators can increase their chances of success in the competitive world of social media.
