For many, fast fame and success on social media are only a click away with the purchase of followers. By now it is clear, instant success through social media purchases is a myth. These are promises that lead to still more confusion.
What you will discover by debunking the myths of buying followers and likes are the challenges, and ultimately the unfairness, of social media. We believe, for the first time, you will see the truth of how illusions of popularity are destroyed by social media systems of recommendation. You will find how simplicity and utilization of social media can provide gradual, real growth in popularity and success.
Myth: Shortcut for Online Success
Past accomplishment in the ‘real world’ had a relatively straightforward path — step 1: purchase a good education; step 2: create and display credentials through the education; step 3: create original content and design your path; step 4: work hard and/or earn it by gaining recognition for your accomplishments; step 5: continue new level of the original pathway and create different content; repeat steps 4 and 5 continually.
The reason social media is considered a ‘shortcut’ for people wanting to skip the step of building authentic, original, quality content for success is because of the public, ‘political nature’ of the Internet. Strategy is used to ‘Manufacture’ success, fame, and fortune (and all that they consider EQ) in today’s fake social media society like ‘buying followers.’ Fake social media success and wealth created by quick money schemes and Ponzi schemes (Fake Illusions of Wealth) has led people to believe that everyone is a success and has money.
Fact: Genuine Engagement Cannot Be Bought
Even though social media followers can be purchased, and metrics can be temporarily improved, there is no substitute for valuable content. It takes time to gain trust and build long-term relationships that interest your audience. TRUE engagement cannot be spoofed. Numbers don’t define success. Providing valuable content to your audience and nurturing your community builds a strong audience who will engage and support your content and business.
Purchasing followers is a shortcut to burned fundamental values. Quick wins in social media have unsustainable fake value. Long-term sustainable social media value comes from authentic interactions.
There is a large time investment that goes into developing quality engagement. Although that is the case, the rewards make it all worth it. Buying followers should never be an option. The thing is, the best kind of engagement is real. Not only does real engagement an elevated sense of credibility, but it also helps develop a foundation that can lead to true success in your area of social media.
Myth: High Follower Count = Credibility
Credibility and social media have become strange bedfellows when you think of the myths that come with it. The number of followers that one might have is not a good measure of credibility, but you should also consider how much a poster actually interacts with his or her audience. Trust me, you would rather have authentic engagement and meaningful relationships over a monumental social media following.
Why follow the crowd and buy followers? Keep this in mind, it isn’t about how many followers you have, but how much of an impact you make on those that engage with your content. Real engagement over large followings should be at the forefront of your social media concern.
Fact: Fake Followers Can Damage Your Reputation
Boosting your follower number by purchasing fake followers is a poor decision that will have disastrous effects on your reputation. Real followers grow your trust as you and your audience alike know that your followers are real. Fake followers have zero interest in your content and will make real followers lose interest and end the trust. Thousands of followers, real or fake, will not make your audience read your post. People spend their time and energy creating posts, and it will make no difference if your followers are fake. It takes even longer to earn real followers, but they really care about your posts. Real followers will create engagement and will comment and/or share your posts.
In the social media world, numbers matter and fake followers will make people perceive your brand and your personality as having zero value. The best way to assure your reputation will stay intact is by making real connections with your customers and being genuine.
Fact: Quality Over Quantity Always Wins
Even in the context of Social Media, Quality Always Beats Quantity. A smaller and more active and loyal following brings more benefit than a large quantity of inactive or fake followers. In the digital world, the interactions you can create and the connections you can build through your audience are the ingredients for success in creating your digital kingdom. Your social media following needs to be seen as a garden. Having a few real flowers is better than a lot of plastic ones. In the same vein, investing your time in genuine relationships cultivates your audience’s trust and loyalty to your brand. Quality followers will share, discuss, and drive organic growth and audiences for your content.
In today’s world, where numbers dictate success the most, quality interactions will foster growth. Focusing on quality interactions drives true influence rather than broad influence. A connected and engaged community will sustain you and give you the genuine relationships you need to be successful.
Myth: Everyone Is Doing It
The myth that “everyone is doing it” is the primary reason why most people purchase followers. In the digital world, quantity becomes the measure of validation. However, in real life, giving false perception via purchasing followers becomes a matter of Google; authenticity stands out as millions of fake followers become one of thousands of people in real life. Beneath the inflated follower numbers is the appreciation of real connections. People won’t buy your followers to stand out from the crowd; your audience is going to be real and small. If you can have quality communication with your audience without thinking, “Everyone is doing it,” you will gain real people that will stay loyal and help grow your impact in real life.
You can chose to go against the crowd; your audience is going to be real and express authenticity without thinking “Everybody else is doing it.” Be you and don’t hide, and the world will love you for being you – when everyone is hiding behind fake social media accounts, you will show the world the authenticity that they will love you for.
Fact: Authenticity Is Key in Social Media
Authenticity is the most important aspect of your social media strategy. With all of the false content and false personas, being the real you is important. Your audience is looking for authentic relationships. Be yourself and you will see your audience grow. Once you start showing your social media audience that you are real you will notice that they will start sharing content that is real too. Being real is the best way to build relationships that are based on trust and shared values. Your audience will start engaging with your social media posts and reach out to you with real questions. If you want to attract and build your online community, staying true to yourself and your brand’s values is the best way to attract people that will engage your community.
Authenticity breaks the barrier of a world where everyone is showing their false persona. The world of social media seems to be perfect, but with the real you, you can show that social media is not about perfection. Staying true to yourself will attract people and create positive engagement for your online community. The best way to show off the awesome vision you have in your mind is to let real you take over your social media. Authenticity will give you the relationships with people that are based on trust and value and will open up possibilities you never thought we’re possible in social media.
Myth: Algorithm Adjustment Due to Purchased Followers
The social media myth that purchassed followers impact algorithm engagement is user inclined to believe that social media platforms will organize posts and recommend content to its users based on followers. In the world of social media, this is not true. Algorithms are showcasing and recommending content that is organically engaging. The use case for purchasing followers is deceiving. Although purchasing followers will increase the number associated with your account, it will not increase the meaningful engagement that your content is receiving. The impact of purchased followers is instantaneously negative to your account, while the effect of connecting with and meeting the needs of your audience is infinitely more effective and long lasting.
Being real pays off in the long run and in ethical terms for social media strategies. Social networks reward content creators focused on real meaningful interactions with their audience. You can expect authentic engagement to break the barriers that come with social media.
Fact: Authentic Engagement Leads to Sustainable Growth
Ethically, social media rewards people’s authenticity. There are a lot of cheap ways to boost your follower count, but they are just that, cheap. Genuine interactions lead to trust and long-term relationships that aren’t just about stats.
Creating value through valuable content, meaningfully participating in social conversations and interacting makes people want to support your brand. It’s because of these efforts that a creator is truly able to create a lasting community around their brand. Authentic engagement is the real way to create a community of real support. Creating a community of support is the real way to creating a long-term, authentic, and meaningful online presence.
Conclusion
As social media users and navigators, we have seen that the most important thing is the ability to be genuine. Although buying followers might seem like a good idea, it’s the real engagement that brings the real following and the meaningful relationships that help develop your brand.
Think about how you want your social media brand to be perceived. If you develop a community of real followers who enjoy your content and appreciate your brand, you will develop more than just a number, you’ll create a brand that people love.
Growth that is organic will bring you more of the engagement you want with people that you have a real connection with. The social media landscape is full of opportunities, so you should trust in your genuineness.