Why Influencers Have Lost Their Followers

CURRENT RANK: LOWLY SERF

To the Magnificent Social Machiavellian:

CHAPTER 24 - WHY INFLUENCERS HAVE LOST THEIR FOLLOWERS

The previous suggestions, if they are carefully followed, will enable a new influencer to appear well established, and make them at once more secure in their following than if they had been long present on social media. This is important because the actions of a new influencer are more critically observed than those of an established one. When influencers are seen to be authentic and engaging, they gain more followers and make them more loyal than long-standing popularity. This is because users are attracted more by the current content than by the past. When they find the present posts compelling, they enjoy them and seek no further. They will also strongly defend an influencer if they do not fail them in other aspects. Thus it will be a double glory for the influencer to have established a new presence, and enriched and strengthened it with good content, good engagement, good connections, and good branding. Similarly, it will be a double dishonour for someone who is born an influencer to lose their following through a lack of adaptability.

If we look at those influencers who have lost their followings on social media in our times, such as the popular YouTuber, the trendy Instagrammer, and others, there will be found in them, firstly, one common problem in regard to content creation from the causes which have already been discussed at length. Secondly, some will be seen, either to have had the audience hostile, or if they have had the audience friendly, they have not known how to secure the collaborators. In the absence of these problems, influencers that have enough power to keep a consistent posting schedule cannot be lost.

A popular YouTuber (not the one who gained millions of subscribers in a short time, but the one who was overtaken by the trendy Instagrammer) did not have a large following compared to the vastness of the social media landscape and the competition that challenged him. Yet, being a tenacious creator who knew how to attract viewers and secure collaborations, he sustained his channel against rivals for many years, and if in the end he lost some of his audience, nevertheless he retained his platform.

Therefore, our influencers should not accuse the algorithm for the loss of their followings after so many years' popularity, but rather their own complacency. In quiet times they never thought there could be change (it is a common weakness in creators not to make any provision in the calm against the storm). When afterwards the bad times came, they thought of switching platforms and not of adapting their content. They hoped that the audience, disgusted with the attitude of the rival creators, would call them back. This course, when others fail, may be good, but it is very bad to have neglected all other possibilities for that. You should never wish to fail because you hoped to find someone later on to restore you. This either does not happen or, if it does, it will not be good for your brand. Being saved is of no use unless it is by your own efforts. The only reliable, certain, and lasting ways are those that depend on yourself and your creativity.

NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI II