How to get followers and engagement on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
- One of the most important steps in becoming a professional content creator, is to build an audience.
- Different strategies are required to gain followers on different social media platforms.
- Here’s how creators grow audiences on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
A key part of building a business with influencers is growing an audience.
It doesn’t matter if you are posting on Instagram, YouTube or TikTok. But it is critical to gain the trust of thousands of people if you want to become a full-time content creator.
While it is possible to crack an algorithm by sheer luck, many influencers have specific strategies and tips that they’ve picked up along the way in building their followings. While some rely on consistent content, others might use tools provided by creator-based startups. (Read more on 13 startups that aid creators in growing their audiences and making money.
Joy Ofodu, for example, is a comedian content creator who discovered that she could make a living creating comedy content by focusing on a niche. Her niche? Content for dating.
Insider was told by Ofodu that this is all he posted about for the past two years. “And that exploded me my audience.”
Ofodu now has 114,000 Instagram followers — when she started posting more regularly, in 2020, she had about 5,000.
Read Ofodu’s top tips to grow your audience on social networks
Insider interviewed a number of creator economy experts and influencers to learn how they can grow their audiences on a variety of social media platforms. These are the ways people build a following on social platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn.
Jaden Versluis is a talent manager and travel writer who started posting on Instagram regularly in May. He had approximately 4,000 followers at the time.
Versluis’ Instagram audience grew to 140,000 followers three months later.
He discovered that search engine optimization (SEO), can impact how discoverable content becomes. Versluis explained to Insider, that regardless of the platform you use your caption should include keywords.
Find out more about his strategies and brand partnerships for growth as a travel content creator.
YouTube
YouTube is known for being one the most difficult platforms to increase your audience.
Paddy Galloway, creator and YouTube strategist studies how to get subscribers on YouTube. He has worked as a strategist with some of the most prominent creators around the globe, including MrBeast.
With YouTube’s introduction of Shorts — the platform’s TikTok competitor — growth has looked easier of late.
Galloway stated to Insider that he is a big fan of Shorts. “With my long form clients, we post Shorts onto their main channel. I’ve seen thousands of videos and haven’t noticed a negative correlation between short form and long form.
A strategist who has worked closely with creators such as MrBeast shares his tips on growing a YouTube channel.
TikTok
TikTok has helped many creators rise to fame.
TikTok’s head, music, Corey Sheridan, says that livestreams can drive growth. He also recommends engaging in comments and engaging in livestreams.
Victoria Paris, a lifestyle blogger, built her following by posting several TikToks per day and responding to or liking comments on her videos. She currently has 1.5 million followers on the app.
For others, however, it only takes one viral moment and the momentum to make it happen. Nate White, a New York City fashion designer, uploaded his first TikTok on March 2020. Two months later, his “stank-walk challenge” video became viral.
White said that every time she refreshed her phone, she had a thousand new followers. “I decided to continue that momentum and give people what they wanted.”
Learn more about Nate White’s success in building an audience of 1.8 Million TikTok users and the amount of money he makes from brand deals
LinkedIn is not the only social platform you might think of when talking about content creators. But, LinkedIn has invested many resources to become another platform for creators.
Over the past two year, the professional social network has increased its focus on creator-focused activities with new features, creator accelerator programmes, and podcasts.
Callie Schweitzer (head of LinkedIn’s creator programs), says one of the most important tools for growing an audience is to turn on the creator mode. This feature allows other LinkedIn users “follow” you, and your content will be more prominently displayed on the platform.
Learn more about 6 ways you can grow your LinkedIn audience to get more followers
You can also hire a LinkedIn ghostwriter if these methods don’t work. They will help you create content and increase your visibility on LinkedIn.