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July 27, 2024

how to build an audience (starting from zero)

did you know that influencers like alex hormozi, dan koe, and iman gadzhi all started with zero followers?

it’s easy to look at today’s popular figures and think they’ve always been on top.

but their journey to success was far from instant.

they faced the same hurdles of building an audience, experimenting with content, learning from mistakes, and cultivating a community where people felt valued.

many people, including myself, have spent countless hours perfecting instagram posts, using all the right hashtags, yet seeing little to no growth.

i know what it feels like to post content into the void, feeling invisible, and waiting for that follower count to surge.

but here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way for you.

how to solve this problem and build a thriving audience from scratch?

here’s the truth: stunning content alone won’t guarantee followers.

you need to get your content in front of the right people.

when i realized this, i was able to gain followers and engagement quicker, resulting in instagram boosting my account to more people.

so, here are 6 things you can start doing today to skyrocket your social media growth:

1. engage with creators in niche

when i started, my content needed more visibility.

posting regular content wasn’t doing anything.

i realized i had to leverage other people’s audiences.

i began by identifying influencers in my niche (freelancers and content creators).

i consistently commented on their posts with insightful and relevant thoughts.

by showing appreciation for their work and adding value to their discussions, i got on their radar.

i followed this strategy, and soon, my work was shared by accounts with similar followings.

in two months, my follower count surged to 1,000 people.

then, instagram started boosting my quote reels and infographics to more people and i was gaining 20-100 followers a day.

2. create persuasive content

whether it’s instagram captions, threads, or reels, your content needs to capture attention and deliver value.

start with a compelling hook to grab attention immediately.

present a relatable problem that resonates with your audience, offer a clear solution, and highlight the benefits.

confidence in your message will make your content stand out.

practice storytelling to create emotional connections, use ctas to encourage engagement, and be authentic to build trust.

persuasive content turns casual scrollers into engaged followers who look forward to your posts.

that’s the goal.

3. iterate and optimize

review your top-performing posts regularly.

analyze what worked and what didn’t.

was it the timing, the hashtags, the structure, or the style of your content?

use this data to refine your content strategy.

experiment with different formats, lengths, and angles to see what resonates most with your audience.

maybe your audience prefers videos over posts, or they engage more with educational posts rather than motivational ones.

iteration is about perpetual learning and adaptation to meet your audience’s evolving preferences.

4. dm creators in niche

Use dms strategically to build relationships and network with other creators, but ensure your messages are personalized and not spammy.

ask them a question about their journey.

mention something specific you appreciate about their work.

just be a genuine human being and focus on building a relationship, not selling products or services.

if they don’t respond, send a polite follow-up and keep engaging with them.

don’t get discouraged if someone doesn’t reply to you.

understand that they have other priorities in their life and are not always staying in their dms.

5. paid growth

leverage paid growth by promoting high-quality content to a targeted audience.

paid promotions can give you a quick visibility boost, but they should be part of a broader strategy to attract genuine followers.

if you combine paid growth + networking with creators in niche, you’ll grow super quick and attract the right people.

however, understand the people you want to target first before you boost a post, because it may show it to the wrong people who don’t need anything from you (money wasted)

6. add long-form content

diversify your content to include longer formats like newsletters, blog posts, or youtube videos. long-form content holds attention longer and builds deeper connections with your audience.

it allows you to delve deeper into topics, showcase your expertise, and provide substantial value. also, it helps in establishing you as an authority in your niche.

blogs can improve your seo and drive organic traffic to your social media profiles.

youtube videos and podcasts offer a personal touch, letting your audience hear your voice and see your expressions, fostering a stronger bond.

if you’re confident speaking on camera, start posting videos. i have too many things going on in my life and can’t prioritize making videos right now.

but videos are crucial when it comes to building an engaged audience. if you have the time and the mental capacity, do it.

commit and the results will follow

remember, building an audience takes time, consistency, and strategic effort.

keep refining your approach based on feedback and performance data.

by focusing on:

networking
paid growth (optional)
iterating on your successes
creating persuasive content
expanding your content formats

you can effectively build a thriving audience from scratch.

stay committed to your journey, and the results will follow.

– Jordan

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about me

hey, i'm jordan.

I’m a human obsessed with humans, teach & writing. as previous brand advisor I know teach others how to work smarter, profit faster, and live better by learning how to work for themselves

at 21, my life was dark - no money, tired all the time, and trapped in a job i hated. i lived with 8 people i barely knew, 2,000 miles away from where i grew up. i tried all those quick money ideas but none of them worked out for me.

then i found something that clicked: working for myself. the day i started putting my ideas out there, things began to shift. by being me and sharing what i knew, i found folks who got what i was saying. about three months later, i got my first paying client and was making what my old job paid.

i left the 9-5 world, moved back in my hometown, made good money, and set up a life where i'm in charge. i pick what i work on, when i do it, where i sit while working, and who i hang out with. no boss looking over my shoulder. that's real freedom.

now i help others who want the same thing. working for yourself isn't just about the money - it's about owning your days. this way of living changed everything for me, and i'm here to show you how it can work for you too.