In the age of influencers, it is easy to understand why people want to appear popular on social media. For influencers, followers mean so much more than popularity. Followers are an indication of “reach” and breadth of influence which can have a direct impact on an influencer’s opportunities for brand partnerships and pay rates. It’s no wonder why people are considering any and all options to boost these follower counts.
When The New York Times exposed the black market for buying followers online, many were shocked. Not only are average individuals buying followers, but so are many of the celebrities and politicians we look up to. However, all too many of us were not surprised. The social-savvy user likely suspected – or even knew – people purchasing followers through third party apps. What they didn’t know was that these bot accounts could be a rip-off of a real person’s social media. With concrete information coming to the surface on the consequences of buying followers, we can only hope the downfall of buying followers will begin to snowfall into extinction.
Buying followers may seem like a good idea to individuals and brands, but in reality the effects are not beneficial for a variety of reasons. We’ve caught on to the signs of fake followers and recognize that buying followers does not actually increase sales or engagement. Brands and followers of today recognize and appreciate authenticity on social media. Having a dedicated follower base is only the first step to having a killer social media page.
Whether you’re an influencer or a brand, here’s what we suggest to keep your social media game on top:
- Effort: Unless you’re Kim Kardashian, the world doesn’t expect you to gain hundreds of followers in a day. In fact, huge or sudden surges in follower growth can be a major red flag that actually harms your reputation. Growing your following organically takes time and effort. Cultivate a following of real people who have a genuine interest in you or your brand by engaging with followers, actively posting, and keeping communication lines open. Trust us, taking shortcuts to grow your following is more obvious (and harmful) than you might think. Be patient! Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a stellar social media account.
via giphy.com - Authenticity: Today’s society demands transparency and authenticity from brands and individuals alike. While social media may seem like a good place to project who you want to be, rather than who you are, don’t be fooled by temptation. Own your social account and use it as a place to share you/your brand’s voice. Engage with like-minded accounts and reach out to people who support what you love. Staying true to yourself is a major key to success that will attract a loyal following. For brands and influencers, loyal followers are the path to generating awareness and sales.
via giphy.com - Commitment: Remember when we said growing your social media accounts takes effort? Yeah. Well, you have to be committed to your account too. For brands and influencers, posting high-quality content is a must. It isn’t enough anymore to have a bunch of followers. You have to engage with those who follow you by posting like-worthy, attention-grabbing content in a fairly frequent manner. Show them that your social media page is a reflection of YOU (or your brand) and teach them what that means. Staying committed to your social media means staying committed to your customer or follower. And, if you’re not committed to them, how can you ever expect them to be loyal to you?
via giphy.com
While it may seem appealing to amplify your follower-count for a few bucks, remember that numbers aren’t everything. As the follower black market becomes further exposed, the downsides to buying followers will only increase. Instead of focusing on how many followers you have, shift your energy to engage with and retain the ones who already know and love you.
At LMS, we love helping brands and influencers team up to get the attention they deserve. And, we know how to do it the right way. Contact us at imgame@wearelms.com and check out our blog for more helpful tips.