How to grow a social media following without ads
Real ways to grow followers and subscribers on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn and newsletters, and why buying followers backfires.
Why bought followers backfire
Bought followers don’t engage, so platforms show your posts to fewer people. They also break most platforms’ rules. A smaller audience that actually cares is worth far more.
What actually grows an audience
- Post consistently about one clear topic, so people know why to follow you.
- Collaborate: guest posts, joint videos, newsletter swaps and shout-outs with people who have a similar audience.
- Turn one idea into several formats, like a thread, a short video and a newsletter.
- Reply to comments and join conversations in your niche.
- Point your other channels, like your website, email signature and profiles, to the one you’re growing.
Swapping audiences
Audience swaps work when both audiences genuinely overlap: you recommend their newsletter, they recommend yours. On Scratch my back you can offer a mention to your audience in exchange for help with something else you need.
Trade help, not money
Post what you can do for someone and what you’d like back, or find someone offering exactly what you need.
Updated September 2026