How I Gained 7.8 Million Followers In 40 Months (6 Key Lessons)
Education
Introduction
In the past 40 months, I have experienced remarkable growth in my social media presence across various platforms. My YouTube channel skyrocketed from zero to 2.23 million subscribers, while my Instagram account grew from 7,000 to 2.5 million followers. Additionally, my LinkedIn followers jumped to 324,000, TikTok reached 856,000, and my Twitter account attracted 617,000 followers. Even my newly started Facebook page garnered 25,000 followers. Beyond social media, my podcast soared from 3,000 monthly downloads to an astounding 25 million downloads, and my email list expanded to 700,000 subscribers. This resulted in a colossal total of 2 billion impressions over this timeframe.
While these numbers are eye-catching, they reflect more than just a surge in followers. They illustrate the effectiveness of a strategic approach to content creation and engagement. Here's how I achieved this growth, backed by six key lessons that can help anyone wanting to build their brand without resorting to gimmicks or superficial tactics.
1. From Edutainment to Education
Content can be categorized into three buckets: entertainment, education, and edutainment (a blend of both). In my experience, focusing on true educational content has resonated more with my audience. The goal of educational content is to invoke behavioral change, and I have found that viewers who seek education are more valuable than those drawn in merely by entertainment.
2. Shift from "For Us" to "For You"
Initially, I focused on what I wanted to create rather than what my target audience needed. Feedback from my community helped me realize that it was crucial to tailor my content toward those I could help most—business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. This shift emphasized understanding my audience better and crafting content that genuinely serves their interests.
3. Narrowing Focus
While I experimented with various topics, it became apparent that specializing in business-related content yielded the most followers and engagement. My decision to focus on specific areas like business models, sales, and growth strategies allowed me to attract the right audience effectively.
4. Views to Revenue
In the beginning, I prioritized views as a primary metric for success. However, I learned that focusing on revenue generated from ads was far more beneficial, as this metric reflects the quality of engagement. High revenue per view (RPM) correlates with an audience that values my content and is motivated to engage further.
5. Short-Form vs. Long-Form Content
There has been considerable discussion about the effectiveness of short-form content (like TikTok videos) leading viewers to long-form content (like YouTube videos). However, my data indicates that audiences for shorts and longs tend to not mix as expected. Long-form content provided more significant conversions for my business goals, leading me to prioritize it in my strategy.
6. Assume Nothing Instead of Assume More
At the onset of my journey, I often assumed that new viewers were familiar with my work. This assumption led to missed opportunities in engagement. Moving forward, I ensured to introduce myself to new audiences clearly, explaining my relevance and inviting them into my world. This approach builds a more inclusive atmosphere that encourages exploration of my content by everyone, not just long-time followers.
In summary, the last 40 months of content creation has been a profound learning experience. These key lessons have not only helped me grow but also provided a structured path toward building a loyal audience. By embracing education, tailoring content to serve the audience, narrowing my focus, prioritizing revenue over sheer views, emphasizing long-form content, and ensuring inclusivity, I've fostered substantial growth across all platforms.
Keywords
- YouTube
- Social Media Growth
- Content Creation
- Educational Content
- Business Owners
- Engagement
- Revenue
- Long-Form Content
- Audience Development
FAQ
Q1: How did you achieve your rapid follower growth on social media?
A1: I focused on creating educational content tailored to my target audience, primarily business owners.
Q2: What are the key metrics you track for measuring success?
A2: I transitioned my focus from merely tracking views to prioritizing revenue generated from ads as a more accurate metric of engagement quality.
Q3: Why did you shift from edutainment to true education?
A3: Educational content directly influences behavioral change, which more aligned with my goals compared to entertainment-focused content.
Q4: Is long-form content more effective than short-form for driving engagement?
A4: Yes, based on my data, long-form content has resulted in higher conversions and engagement compared to short-form pieces.
Q5: How do you keep your content accessible to new audiences?
A5: By introducing myself in every piece of content and ensuring I explain references or assumptions, I make my work more approachable for new viewers.