Why Buying Followers Won’t Boost Sales

This blog highlights the pitfalls of buying social media followers and likes, emphasizing organic growth strategies to build genuine engagement and boost sales, even with a small but loyal audience.

12/5/20242 min read

Yesterday, I met a client who’s about to open a restaurant. The first thing she asked me was if I could buy her followers and boost her likes. I paused, closed my notebook, and stared at her for about five seconds, trying to figure out how to respond.

Here’s what I said:

"I'm sorry, Madam, but I don’t offer that service. Let me explain why. Buying followers and likes isn’t a sustainable or effective strategy. Most purchased followers are fake accounts or bots that don’t engage with your content or contribute to genuine growth.

Instead, I focus on organic growth strategies that build a real, engaged audience. This means creating high-quality content, using targeted hashtags, running well-planned ad campaigns, and interacting with your audience. While this approach may take more time, it leads to authentic followers who are genuinely interested in your brand and are more likely to turn into loyal customers."

I could see she wasn’t happy with my answer, but she said she was willing to try my approach. Then she asked the golden question: “How long will it take to grow my followers and likes?”

I smiled and asked her: “Do you want more followers and likes, or do you want more walk-in customers for your restaurant?”

She replied: “More sales! But I believe having more followers and likes will lead to more sales.”

I shared a story to help her understand:

"I have a client with less than 100 followers and fewer than 15 likes per post. Yet, he manages to bring in 10–20 customers every day, purely through social media."

She didn’t believe me, so I called that client and had him confirm it himself.

By the end of the meeting, she was convinced. She signed a 3-month contract with me and paid in full.

Key Takeaway

You don’t need 100,000 followers to get sales. What you need is consistency, strategic content, and genuine investment in your brand. Quality always trumps quantity in the long run.

Additional Tips for Restaurant Social Media Success

  1. Showcase Your Menu: Post appetizing photos and videos of your dishes. Highlight specials and behind-the-scenes content to keep your audience engaged.

  2. Leverage Location Tags: Always tag your restaurant’s location so nearby users can discover you.

  3. Encourage User-Generated Content: Ask customers to tag your restaurant in their photos and offer small incentives, like discounts, for those who do.

  4. Promote Events: Hosting a themed night or offering discounts? Use social media to spread the word and create buzz.

  5. Respond to Comments and Messages: Engaging with your audience builds trust and makes them feel valued.

Remember, it’s not about the number of followers but about connecting with the right people who’ll actually support your business.

Next Blog: How to set boundaries as a woman in business

Stay tuned!
I post blogs every Monday. I also share valuable content on TikTok and Instagram from Monday to Friday and upload YouTube videos every Friday. If you need a free consultation, feel free to email me or book a Zoom call. See you next time!

READ MORE BLOGS

Intrigued? Valuable?