You Only Need A Thousand True Fans for Success
Are you killing yourself trying to amass a huge following because everyone tells you that you need a million+ followers to make a living online?
I've good good news - they're wrong.
I know it's a bummer to pour your heart and soul into your work only to have a small following to show for it. But before you get too discouraged, I want you to consider the 1000 true fans model.
I came across Kevin Kelly's Thousand True Fans concept years ago, and it forever changed how I looked at my business. Instead of obsessing about building a massive audience who may only engage with your work occasionally, this model encourages you to develop a smaller group of devoted (true) fans who will consistently support you and your business.
One thousand may seem small, but having true fans who believe in and support your work can be the foundation for a thriving business.
Let's say you have a thousand true fans, and each buys a piece of your work for $70.
You have just generated $70k in revenue.
Considering billions of people are on the planet, you should be able to find a thousand people who appreciate your work and are willing to pay for it.
And don't get too caught up in a thousand fans, either.
Depending on your business and lifestyle needs, you may need more or less. The point is to invest in finding your true fans instead of growing a following of people who wouldn't miss you if you were gone.
It's not just about the financial aspect either - having true fans can also provide invaluable feedback, word-of-mouth marketing, and emotional support during tough times.
By focusing on nurturing these relationships with your true fans, you're creating a community that will rally around you and help propel your business forward.
The quality of engagement from true fans is far greater than the quantity from casual followers.
Building relationships with your true fans will take time and effort and it must always be about more than just making a sale. Engage with them regularly (like you would do IRL) through social media, email newsletters, exclusive content, events, or even personalized messages. Show them that their support means something to you by acknowledging their loyalty and showing appreciation for their continued patronage.
While gaining thousands or millions of followers might seem like the ultimate goal for many businesses or creators, remember that quality is always better than quantity when it comes to building a sustainable and successful brand.
Kevin Kelly's Thousand True Fans concept serves as a powerful reminder that cultivating genuine relationships with a smaller group of devoted supporters can lead to long-term success and fulfillment in your creative endeavors.
Stop reaching for the million follower mark and instead focus on finding your true fans who appreciate your work and genuinely want to support you. Not only will they financially support you, but they will very likely become advocates for you, too.