Why less can mean more when it comes to online followers
So, you want to make a living as a content creator?
Whether you aspire to be a food blogger or travel influencer, you probably think that the key to your success – besides posting great quality content – is a big online following.
But think again.
While nothing boosts the ego like thousands or even millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube, a big following doesn’t always equate to big money.
In fact, some of the most financially successful creators make money on just shy of 1,000 followers.
Their secret? Fan loyalty.
Why true fans are the key to success
Indeed, if you want to make a living as a creator, the trick is to stop obsessing about follower numbers.
Instead, focus on building a small group of extremely loyal fans. These are the kind of fans that author Kevin Kelly refers to in his 2008 essay, ‘1,000 True Fans’.
True fans are important for 2 reasons:
- They’ll boost engagement levels
There’s no point in having a massive following on your socials or blog if only a tiny percentage support, like, and comment on what you post.
It’s better to have a smaller group of true fans, who you can rely on to actively engage with your content.
Why? Because high engagement levels are one of the main things that brands look out when deciding whether to collaborate with a creator. You need them to land sponsorship deals, which are one of the most traditional ways influencers make money.
- They’ll pay to support you
Unlike passive followers, true fans will be willing to pay to support you.
This means you don’t have to rely just on brand deals to monetize your content. You can generate a reliable income from your own fanbase.
This is where SoSpoilt comes in.
SoSpoilt is a platform that works alongside your main social media channels or blog, and allows you to easily charge fans to:
- Subscribe to see more of your content
- Chat with you in pay-per-min video and voice calls
- Message you and unlock your replies
With the option to set your own subscription and chat rates, your earnings on SoSpoilt can quickly add up – even if you have only a few hundred true fans supporting you!
Top tips for gaining true fans
So, now you know the value of true fans, you just need to know how to get them.
Loyalty isn’t something that you can achieve overnight. To build a true fanbase, you need to work hard and show people why you’re worth their dedication.
You need to:
✓ Create quality content
Put time and effort into the photos, videos, or blog posts you upload. Your content needs to grab people’s attention and give them a reason to keep coming back for more, so never compromise on quality.
✓ Find your niche
There are millions of people creating content on the internet right now. Make it clear to fans what separates you and your content from everything else on the web.
✓ Post regularly
To stay in your fans’ minds, you need to be posting at least once a day. If you’re already juggling a job or other commitments, that may sound like a lot of work. But we’ve got you covered, with these clever time-saving hacks.
✓ Make personal connections
To win their loyalty, you need to build a real relationship with your fans and make them feel appreciated. Respond to as many comments and messages as you can. Show them there’s a real person behind your content, who cares what they think.
Ready to earn from your content?
We hope we’ve shown you the value of true fans, and how easy it is to earn from them using SoSpoilt. Join us for free now to see how much support there is for your content right now.
