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Introduction: The Art of Cultivating an Online Following

Establishing a digital following is the bedrock of any thriving enterprise in the current internet-driven age. The old saying “build it and they will come” has evolved into “cultivate a following and they’ll bring their financial support.”

The Long-Term Strategy: Cultivate a Following and Generate Revenue

The overarching concept is that you’ll dedicate several months, possibly even years, to cultivating a group of individuals who are deeply interested in your particular field of expertise.

Then, you will **capitalize** on this following for years to come.

**Capitalizing** refers to generating income from something. In this context, it’s your following, and you’ll offer them a variety of things such as products, information, memberships, subscriptions, courses, access, solutions, etc. – whatever you decide.

Fundamentals of Cultivating An Online Following

• Starting to Cultivate a Following: Day One
• What to Anticipate As You Start to Cultivate Your Following
• The 5 Pillars of Cultivating a Following
• The Investment of Time & Energy
• Patience is Essential – It Will Require Some Time
• Conclusion
• Additional Resources

Starting to Cultivate a Following: What to Anticipate

Every influencer or brand you admire began with zero followers. **So don’t stress if you’re just beginning.**

Start by deciding which platform or platforms you’ll initially target. **Choose one or two platforms to start.**

**Choosing too many platforms can be overwhelming**, and you’ll end up feeling defeated because it will take longer. Your current reach, if any. Even a few LinkedIn connections or an inactive Twitter account can serve as a starting point.

You won’t cultivate your following overnight. The key to a large, engaged following is a long-term commitment.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. This is a long-term commitment and effort that should benefit you for many years to come, if you’re planning a long-term career or business.

Common platforms to consider for beginners:

• Instagram – A visual playground for photos and short videos.
• LinkedIn – The go-to network for professionals and B2B interactions.
• TikTok – Where short-form videos go viral and trends are born.
• YouTube – A video-sharing giant with content for every niche.
• Twitter – Real-time conversations, news updates, and 280-character thoughts.
• Pinterest – Your digital vision board for ideas and inspiration.
• Medium – Where in-depth articles and thought leadership pieces thrive.
• Substack – A platform for newsletter writers to generate income from their content.

Create a strategy

Develop a 90-day strategy to target a specific niche within your industry. This initial focus will make your efforts more manageable and measurable.

It can be overwhelming at first, but don’t stress

Getting started can be a bit daunting. That’s OK. You’re not alone.

The key to combating the overwhelming feeling is to educate yourself as best you can, then start. **Do it. Take action. Don’t delay.** The process of taking action will make you feel better, and you have to do things to learn how to get good.

Allocate some time each day or you’ll make no progress

You’ll need to allocate some time each day to devote to your efforts. You won’t be able to just squeeze it in, you’ll need to plan your efforts.

Start compiling a list of content ideas for cultivating your following

Create an empty document and start populating it with content ideas that should be interesting and relevant to your readers. Add to this list anytime you have an idea. The longer your list, the better.

Learn to create good photos and videos

Good lighting and clear audio is CRITICAL. You’ll need to learn how to create a clear, well-lit video and photo. You can use your iPhone for this, the quality should be sufficient to start.

Learn about using lighting, and small lighting kits (you can get a simple lighting kit on Amazon for around $50). Poorly lit videos and photos will KILL YOUR CHANCES of cultivating an audience. This is because people are used to seeing well-lit high-quality content and if yours is substandard, they won’t trust you.

Invest whatever time is needed to start creating good looking photos and videos (with clear audio that is loud enough!).

The 5 Pillars of Cultivating a Following

Cultivating a following requires a multi-faceted approach. So, let’s break down the top five pillars you need to concentrate on.

1. Email List Cultivating: Your Golden Opportunity

An email list is like having a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory, but better. Emails are a direct line to your following, untouched by the ever-changing algorithms of social media.

There are different types of email campaigns to consider, such as newsletters, promotional emails, and event announcements. Each serves a unique purpose in your overall strategy.

To start cultivating an email list, begin with a simple sign-up form on your website. Use Mailchimp or ConvertKit to automate your email marketing.

2. Mastering Multi-Platform Content Strategy

Depending on just one platform for your content is like betting your life savings on a single hand of poker. Spoiler alert: Don’t do it. Platforms come and go, but a diversified approach can withstand the test of time.

You should understand the pros and cons of major platforms. For instance, LinkedIn is great for professional content, Instagram is perfect for visual storytelling, and Twitter is ideal for real-time updates.

Start by selecting 2-3 platforms that best suit your following and content style. Utilize social media management tools like Buffer to schedule posts and track engagement metrics.