When I started my Instagram account, I thought I was doing everything right.
I followed the big creators.
I posted daily.
I kept my feed looking “pretty.”
But my views stayed flat. My follower count barely moved.
It wasn’t Instagram’s fault.
It was the strategy I was using and it was built for accounts with 50k followers, not 50.
If you’re a small creator or new to digital marketing, here’s what I learnt the hard way.
1. I Tried Copy-Pasting Big Creators
I thought, “If it worked for her, it’ll work for me.”
So I copied the hooks, the captions, even the vibe.
The problem?
Big accounts already have an audience. Their content gets traction because thousands of people are waiting to see it.
Small accounts have to work harder to earn that attention.
2. I Was Rowing While They Were Cruising
Big creators are riding the algorithm like it’s a luxury yacht. They can post and instantly get engagement.
Me? I was out here in a little rowboat — building it with duct tape, dreams, and viral hooks I hoped would work.
It was messy, but it taught me a lot about creating my own momentum.
3. My Content Looked Good But Didn’t Do Anything
I used to spend hours designing beautiful posts… that got no clicks, no saves, and no follows.
Pretty content isn’t enough.
It needs a hook, emotion, and a reason for someone to engage or follow you.
4. I Tried to Talk to Everyone
I was scared to niche down. I didn’t want to exclude anyone.
The result?
I stayed vague… and got ignored.
Once I started speaking directly to my people, everything changed. My posts began attracting the right audience instead of everyone and no one.
5. I Was Posting Vibes, Not Strategy
I posted every day. I stayed “consistent.”
But I had no real plan. No hooks. No calls-to-action. No clear purpose.
I was decorating my feed, not building a business.
6. What Finally Worked
The turning point came when I stopped copying and started creating with intention.
- Hooks that stopped the scroll
- Captions that built real connection
- Content designed to reach non-followers
That’s when growth started to feel consistent and sustainable.
My Results
With this shift, I went from 30 to 800 followers in just 21 days without posting 24/7 or burning out.
💌 Want the full breakdown?
I put together a free guide on how small accounts can grow on purpose.
Click Here and I’ll send it straight to you.
