Why Your Follower Count Isn’t the Metric You Think It Is

Nov 5

Let’s just say it: That big, shiny follower count? Not nearly as important as you think.

Sure, it’s fun to watch the numbers go up. It’s validating. It makes your profile feel “legit.” And it can help with reach… sometimes. But if you’re spending your marketing energy just trying to hit a certain follower milestone, it might be time to refocus.

Because follower count is a vanity metric. It looks nice, but it doesn’t pay the bills.

So What’s the Problem With Follower Count?

Let’s break it down:

You can’t cash in followers.
A large following doesn’t guarantee clicks, conversions, or actual customers. We’ve seen accounts with 1,000 followers generate more income than ones with 10,000+.

You might be growing the wrong audience.
If you're going viral but bringing in people who don’t actually care about your mission or can’t support your business? That’s growth in the wrong direction.
It can distract you from a deeper connection.
You’re better off with 300 followers who trust your voice and share your content than 30,000 who scroll past without a second glance.

What Actually Matters More Than Follower Count?

Here’s where your attention should go:

Engagement

Are people commenting, saving, sharing, and responding? That’s where the magic happens. Real connection leads to real conversion.

Reach

How many unique people are actually seeing your content? Reach helps you track visibility across posts, not just whether someone follows you.

Website Clicks

Are people clicking through to learn more? Sign up? Donate? Buy? Your bio link metrics tell you who’s actually taking action.

Conversions (a.k.a. Results)

Whether it’s newsletter signups, product sales, podcast listens, or retreat registrations - this is what keeps your mission moving.

DMs and Inquiries

When your inbox is full of people saying, “I’ve been following you for a while and finally reached out,” you’re doing it right.

Think Like a Mission-Driven Brand

Your job isn’t to rack up followers like you're collecting Pokémon. It’s to build a community that cares. That shares. That engages. That trusts you enough to take the next step.

Especially as a Catholic or mission-oriented brand, depth always wins over width. A small but mighty audience of people who believe in your mission is infinitely more powerful than a massive crowd that’s just there for the memes.

Want to Dig Deeper?

Here are a couple of other reads you might find helpful:

Bottom Line:

Follower count is the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath trust, connection, and consistent action is what actually sustains your business and fuels your mission.

So the next time someone asks, “How many followers do you have?” feel free to smirk and say, “Enough to make an impact.”

And if you’re ready to stop chasing vanity and start building strategy, let’s talk. We’d love to help you shift from numbers-focused to mission-focused.

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