5 dead-simple tips to grow your social following

Lessons learned from gaining nearly 600 followers overnight

Hey there. Happy Saturday! Today, I want to share some thoughts on growing your social following.

Gaining social media influence

After gaining nearly 600 followers overnight, I had the highest engagement and likes I've ever experienced on any social media platform. Comments and DMs began pouring in, leading me to reflect on why this happened.

Here are some insights that might help fellow founders and designers enhance their branding and social media posts:

1. Timing

I posted at 8:47 PM PST, a time when many indie hackers are most active. I’ve heard that there are more indie founders in Europe and Asia than in the US and Canada. I typically avoid posting at night or on weekends due to my schedule with my kids.

This experience showed me that showing up at the right time for your target audience is crucial for maximizing impressions.

2. Stories

I emphasize that the first sentence of a social post can make or break it. If you captivate people with your opening line, they’re more likely to keep reading. If not, you’ve already lost them.

My post began with “8 months ago…,” a timeline that’s recent enough to engage readers while setting up a story arc. When a post has a time stamp, readers expect a story with a past, a transition, and a present-day conclusion.

Storytelling is crucial because our minds are wired to process stories better than mere statements.

3. Numbers

Three elements tend to grab attention quickly: images, stories, and numbers. Whether it's revenue, costs, percentages, or random statistics, numbers help people understand and compare concepts more quickly.

In 2016, I led a research and design project on “women’s data.” Comparing women’s salaries and numbers of C-suite leaders to men’s data provided a new perspective and deeper understanding.

Numbers make it easier for readers to digest information and draw comparisons. Multiple numbers add layers of understanding and spark discussions.

4. Transformation

We all seek improvement in our lives. Whether it’s through courses, products, or services, they can be summed up as a “transformation”—changing from one state to another.

Recognizing this allows you to continually share “transformation” with your audience. By reflecting on your own progress and sharing your evolution, you ensure a steady stream of content ideas.

For me, I post whenever I see personal growth, whether from yesterday or a month ago, to share my learnings with my audience.

5. Write for new audiences

Someone once asked why I frequently mention raising two kids. My response is that it helps build a consistent story for new readers who may come across my posts for the first time.

My one-line story is: “I started my design business while juggling a 9-5 job and raising two young kids.” This narrative resonates with many and inspires them, showing that if I can manage it, they can too.

Many of us who build in public forget that not everyone is a long-time follower. Random posts can make it difficult for new people to get to know us.

Summary

As a user experience designer, I always keep users in mind. To increase impressions, I need to ensure more people see my posts for the first time. This means continually retelling my story to stay memorable.

I apologize to those who have heard my story many times! I hope this post inspires you to craft and frequently share your own one-line story to attract more followers.

Studio Salt

I run Studio Salt, a fractional design partner that serves early stage startups.

Advising

I also advise startup founder on their product/design and designers on their career.

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