How To Grow An Audience If You Have 0 Followers

Why Should You Forget the Numbers?

Focusing on who follows you is more important than the sheer number of followers. The quality of your audience trumps quantity. This principle stems from the idea that attracting the right followers delivers far greater value.

Consider the Tim Ferriss thought experiment. Would you prefer having your book read by 100,000 random Americans or by every member of Davos? Clearly, you'd choose Davos. This scenario underscores that having influential followers who appreciate your work yields better outcomes.

Another analogy to illustrate this is comparing Ferrari to General Motors. While General Motors sells around 2.5 million cars annually, Ferrari only sells 13,000. Despite the vast difference in numbers, Ferrari's value nearly doubles that of General Motors. Ferrari's strategy of targeting high-end customers significantly boosts its profitability.

This concept is crucial in content creation. Platforms often flaunt numbers, making it tempting to chase higher follower counts. However, it’s essential to resist this and focus on attracting the right followers. These individuals are more likely to resonate with your content, resulting in stronger engagement and better opportunities.

Resisting the urge to focus solely on numbers is challenging but also presents a competitive advantage. Most creators fall into the number trap, but prioritizing quality followers sets you apart. Quality matters much more than quantity, emphasizing the importance of who follows you over how many follow you.

How Can You Find Your Inner Nerd?

Embracing your unique interests and passions makes you stand out. It’s the essence of putting "you pushed out to the world." When you share what genuinely excites you, it creates content no one else can replicate.

Consider the tomato farmer on TikTok. His passion for tomatoes makes his content unique and engaging. He obsesses over every detail, from planting to harvesting, captivating his audience through sheer enthusiasm.

Another example is Shaan's uncle and his model train set. Although seen as a dorky hobby by outsiders, his deep passion and elaborate setup make it interesting. This demonstrates that being your authentic self connects you with those who share your interests.

Finding your inner nerd means unleashing your deepest passions and sharing them fearlessly. This approach not only differentiates you but also attracts a like-minded tribe. By embracing your quirks and interests, you turn content creation into a rewarding and enjoyable process.

What is the 'Magnet' Approach to Building an Audience?

Creating content should be viewed as building a magnet to attract like-minded individuals. Each piece of content serves as a honeypot, drawing people who share your passions and interests into your orbit.

This approach goes beyond just amassing followers. It fosters a community of similar interests, which can lead to business opportunities, friendships, and faster learning. When your content resonates deeply, it creates a natural pull for those who value what you offer.

For example, taking the "magnet" approach can amplify your reach and engagement, much like Jason Fried does with his pre-launch product strategies. By focusing on attracting the right audience, you ensure that every follower is a potential partner, collaborator, or customer.

Building a magnet, not just an audience, transforms your followers into a network of individuals who contribute to and benefit from your content. This symbiotic relationship enriches both your personal and professional life, driving continuous growth and deeper connections.

How to Use the 'First, Last, Best, Worst, Weirdest' Exercise?

Use the 'First, Last, Best, Worst, Weirdest' exercise to generate abundant content ideas. Follow this step-by-step guide to explore different subjects:

• Select a subject:

  • Jobs
  • Relationships
  • Side hustles

• Apply the exercise to your chosen subject:

  • First Job: Reflect on your debut work experience. Example: "I coached basketball at a school for autistic children."

  • Last Job: Think about the most recent role you held. Example: "Worked at a sushi restaurant."

  • Best Job: Identify the job that brought you the most joy or success. Example: "Job at Twitch was both exciting and rewarding."

  • Worst Job: Recount the job that was least enjoyable. Example: "Handled tuna in a seafood market. The smell was unbearable."

  • Weirdest Job: Recall an unusual or unique job experience. Example: "Assisted an eccentric billionaire in Indonesia."

Apply similar questions to relationships, side hustles, or any topic you choose to explore. This method unveils rich, personal stories ready for engaging content.

What are the Five Ds of Being Known Well?

The Five Ds outline key aspects of sharing yourself genuinely to build a strong connection with your audience.

1. Done: Highlight your track record. Share what you've accomplished to build credibility.

2. Deliver: Explain what you offer. Whether it's insightful business ideas or engaging stories, let people know what value they get by following you.

3. Do: Describe what you do for work and fun. It personalizes you, making it easier for your audience to relate.

4. Dreams: Speak about your goals. Sharing your aspirations fosters a sense of camaraderie and drives deeper connections. Think of how Gary Vee’s dream of buying the Jets makes him more relatable and memorable.

5. Dork Out: Showcase your passions. What do you nerd out about? Sharing quirks and obsessions attracts like-minded individuals and builds a loyal following.

Sharing these aspects not only makes your audience feel more connected to you but also increases your luck. It opens you to opportunities and serendipitous connections as people know precisely how they can engage with and support you.

Is There Such a Thing as 'Too Long' Content?

The notion that content can be too long is a myth. What truly matters is its insightfulness, entertainment value, and usefulness.

If people leave halfway through, it's because the content isn't engaging enough.

The real objective should be to keep the audience hooked. This can be achieved by providing valuable insights, telling compelling stories, or offering practical advice. If you can achieve this, length becomes irrelevant.

Thus, aim to be enlightening and entertaining. By doing so, you'll keep the audience's attention regardless of the duration.

Why Should You Focus on A+ Content with C- Delivery?

In the beginning, prioritize content quality over production quality. Exceptional content with basic delivery trumps mediocre content with high production value.

Take Joe Rogan's early podcasts as an example. He started with a fuzzy webcam and minimal setup. Despite the low production, his compelling conversations captured attention. Over time, as his content proved valuable, he improved his setup.

Starting with A+ content and C- delivery allows you to focus on honing your message and delivering value. Most viewers are more interested in what you say rather than how polished it looks.

Once you've nailed the content, then think about enhancing production quality. This way, you ensure your efforts resonate deeply and build a dedicated audience long before you invest in high-end production tools.

What is a Binge Bank and How to Create One?

A binge bank is a collection of high-quality content that keeps viewers engaged for an hour or more. This concept helps new creators overcome the challenge of initial low viewership by providing enough material for audiences to get hooked.

Steps to Create a Binge Bank:

1. Set a Goal: Aim to create an hour or two of binge-worthy content.
2. Focus on Quality: Ensure each piece is engaging and valuable.
3. Diversify Topics: Cover various aspects of your niche to keep it interesting.
4. Consistency: Post frequently to build up your content library.
5. Engage with Early Viewers: Respond to comments and feedback to foster a loyal community.

By building a binge bank, you prepare for the moment when your content gains traction. When new viewers arrive, they have a treasure trove to explore, increasing the likelihood they become long-term followers.

Why Do People Want a Feeling, Not Just Information?

Selling a feeling is crucial because emotions drive engagement. People are drawn to content that evokes a strong emotional response, not just information.

Consider David Blaine. He doesn't merely perform magic tricks; he sells the feeling of awe. Viewers are left astonished and captivated, leading them to share his performances and keep coming back.

Similarly, James Clear isn't only discussing habits. He sells the feeling of self-control and hope. His audience believes they can transform their lives through small, consistent changes, making his content resonate deeply.

The UFC, for example, doesn't just sell fights. Dana White stated, "I sell holy shit moments on pay-per-view." These intense, emotional reactions are what keep fans glued to their screens and eagerly awaiting the next event.

In essence, content that targets emotions leads to a more loyal and engaged audience. When creators focus on the feelings their content evokes, they create lasting connections that mere information can't achieve.

How to Be So Good They Can't Ignore You?

Mr. Beast, the number one most watched YouTuber, offers golden advice for aspiring content creators. His strategy: create 100 videos, improving one thing each time. This method is simple yet powerful, and focuses on continuous improvement.

Each time you make a video, identify one element to refine. It might be the hook, title, thumbnail, storytelling, or editing pace. By doing this, you’ll make incremental improvements that compound over time.

This approach filters out the unserious individuals who seek shortcuts. Only the committed stick with it, finding that by the 100th video, they no longer need advice—they’ve learned the craft thoroughly.

Producing 100 videos not only enhances your skills but also builds a wealth of content, increasing your chances of being noticed.

This iterative process, steeped in dedication and persistence, ensures you become so good they can’t ignore you.