Social Media: From Start to Followers

Originally published May 3, 2019 on the original SPEN10 blog. Refreshed in October 2026: updated platform names and replaced advice that no longer holds up.

Today we're going over how to set up social media accounts and how to start growing your following. Let's get to it.

I recommend setting up your social media accounts as soon as you've defined your niche and brand. That way you can start gaining followers and build momentum before the rest of your business is in place.

Setting up your accounts

Set up accounts on the platforms where your audience actually spends time. In 2019 I recommended Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest at a minimum. 2026 note: Twitter is now X, and TikTok, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn and Threads are worth considering depending on your audience — pick two or three and do them well rather than spreading yourself thin.

Use a username that matches your brand, and fill out every profile completely with a bio and your business details. The more complete your profile, the more credible you look.

Don't worry if you don't have a logo yet. You can use images related to your niche as placeholders, or photos of yourself — putting a face to your brand helps.

Next, aim for at least ten posts on each account before you start promoting it, so new visitors don't land on an empty profile. A few platform-specific tips:

• Instagram: Share original photos and videos, and use the platform's built-in sharing features to repost others' content — always credit the original creator.
• X (Twitter): Repost things relevant to your market and mix in posts of your own.
• Facebook: Create posts on your business page. You can link your Facebook page to Instagram so your Instagram posts also appear on Facebook.
• Pinterest: Often overlooked, but it can be a great traffic source — especially for visual products. Create pins from your own content that link back to your website, with more information or related products.

The idea is to get your accounts created with some starter content, so they don't look bare and people trust you more early on.

Growing your following

Now that your accounts are set up, you can grow them while you build out the rest of your business.

Post consistently, but don't overdo it. Post too often and people see you as spammy; post too rarely and followers drift away. Find a steady rhythm you can keep up.

Engage with your market. Find accounts and posts related to your niche, then like, comment, follow and share. It's one of the easiest ways to get visibility. 2026 note: in the original post I suggested quick generic comments like "Cool!" — don't. Platforms and people both treat low-effort comments as spam. A short, genuine comment that adds something does far more for you.

Use video. People prefer video over still images, and video tends to perform much better — whether it's your own or a share. Video is more work, especially originals, but you can still build a following with photos and shares while you get comfortable on camera.

Bonus tips

Schedule your posts. I schedule posts once in the morning and once at night. If I find something extra to share, I schedule it for the middle of the day so posts stay spread out.

Consider paid ads. Every major platform offers paid advertising, which can bring in far more traffic than free methods — with the right skills and targeting.

Be careful with automation. In 2019 I recommended an Instagram automation tool for following, liking and commenting automatically. I no longer do: most platforms prohibit automated engagement, and it can get your account restricted or banned. Scheduling posts with an official tool is fine — automating interactions isn't worth the risk.

Follow these tips and you'll start picking up followers quickly. That's how you get started on social media — from start to followers!

— Spencer