Clients Ask: Why is Buying Followers a Bad Idea (and What to Do Instead)?

Clients ask us all the time: "How can I get more followers—fast?"

Small businesses and any one new to social media want those vanity numbers and believe a high follower count equals credibility and success. We get it. The pressure to grow quickly is real, and it can be frustrating when organic growth feels slow. That’s why many small business owners are tempted to take a shortcut and buy followers.

If you’ve ever considered purchasing followers, you’re not alone. But before you click “buy,” let’s set the record straight. Purchasing followers might boost your numbers, but it won’t grow your business. In fact, it can actually hurt your brand. Here’s why it’s a mistake—and what you should do instead to attract a real, engaged audience that actually converts…

The Problem with Buying Followers

At first glance, buying followers might seem like a quick way to boost your business’s presence. After all, a higher follower count must mean more credibility, right? Not exactly. Here’s why:  

1. Fake or Inactive Accounts

Most purchased followers are bots or inactive accounts. They won’t engage with your content, meaning your likes, comments, and shares won’t increase—just your number of followers.   

2. Lower Engagement Rates

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes engagement. If you have thousands of followers but very few interactions, your content is less likely to be shown to real people.  

3. Potential Penalties

Instagram actively removes fake accounts and can penalize accounts that engage in inauthentic growth, meaning you could lose those followers just as quickly as you gained them.  

4. No Real Business Value

If your goal is to attract small business owners or entrepreneurs who might actually work with you, buying followers won’t help. A fake audience won’t book your services or recommend you to others.  

What to Do Instead: Authentic Strategies for Growth 

If you want real small business owners and entrepreneurs to follow you, the best approach is organic growth. Here’s how:  

1. Engage with Your Ideal Audience

Find and interact with small business owners by commenting on their posts, replying to their stories, and sending meaningful DMs. Authentic engagement fosters real connections and increases the chances of them following you back.  

2. Use Strategic Hashtags and Instagram SEO

Hashtags like #SmallBusinessMarketing, #EntrepreneurLife, and #SocialMediaTips can help business owners discover your content. Also, optimize your bio with keywords related to social media consulting so your profile appears in search results.  

3. Collaborate and Network

Partner with business coaches, industry leaders, or fellow entrepreneurs for live sessions, shoutouts, or collaborations. Cross-promotions introduce you to new, relevant audiences.  

4. Run Targeted Instagram Ads

Instead of buying followers, invest in Instagram ads that target business owners based on their interests and behaviors. This way, you attract the right audience—people who might actually become clients.  

5. Share Value-Driven Content

Consistently post high-quality content that provides real value. Share social media tips, success stories, and actionable advice that helps small business owners grow. The more valuable your content, the more likely people will follow and engage.  

The Bottom Line

A large follower count might look impressive, but if those followers aren’t real or engaged, it won’t benefit your business. Instead of wasting money on fake numbers, focus on building a community of real entrepreneurs who are genuinely interested in what you offer. Authenticity always wins in the long run.  

Are you looking for a strategy to grow your Instagram the right way? Let’s talk! Take Flight specializes in helping small businesses build a loyal, engaged audience—no shortcuts needed.  

Spring Clean Your Social Media: 4 Things You Can Do Right Now

Spring is finally here! Just like opening the windows and adding fresh flowers can brighten up your space, a little digital decluttering can breathe new life into your social media presence. A refreshed, well-maintained social media strategy helps your brand stay relevant, engaging, and effective.

Here are four quick things small business owners can do today to spring clean your social media presence:

1. Refresh Your Profile & Bio

Your social media profiles are often the first impression potential customers get—are yours up to date? Take a few minutes to:
✔️ Update your profile picture and cover photo if they’re outdated.
✔️ Ensure your bio reflects your current business offerings and brand voice.
✔️ Double-check contact information, website links, and business hours.

A fresh, polished profile is like adding a vase of bright flowers to your home—it instantly feels more inviting!

2. Audit Your Content & Remove Clutter

Over time, social media accounts can accumulate outdated posts, irrelevant content, or things that no longer align with your brand. Scroll through your past posts and:
✔️ Archive or delete old promotions, expired offers, or posts that didn’t perform well.
✔️ Identify what types of content your audience engages with most and adjust your strategy accordingly.
✔️ Ensure your messaging, visuals, and tone stay consistent across all platforms.

Think of this as trimming away wilted petals so only your best, most engaging content remains!

3. Reevaluate Your Hashtags & Keywords

Social media trends and search algorithms evolve constantly, so the hashtags and keywords that worked last year may not be as effective now.
✔️ Research current industry hashtags and swap out ones that aren’t generating engagement.
✔️ Optimize captions with updated keywords to improve searchability.
✔️ Test new hashtags and track which ones drive the most visibility.

This simple update ensures your content is reaching the right audience, just like placing fresh flowers in the perfect sunny spot helps them flourish!

4. Reignite Engagement & Community Growth

A clean and refreshed profile is great, but social media is about connection. Take time to:
✔️ Respond to unanswered comments and DMs.
✔️ Follow and engage with new accounts relevant to your business.
✔️ Encourage interaction with fresh polls, questions, or giveaways.

Building relationships online is like nurturing a garden—consistent care leads to long-term growth!

Need Help Getting Started?

Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? That’s where we come in! Take Flight can help you refine your strategy, refresh your content, and create a stronger online presence. Reach out today, and let’s get your social media in full bloom!

When Business as Usual Doesn’t Feel Right: Social Media Tips for Tough Times

When disaster strikes, such as the wildfires devastating California, it can feel wrong to carry on with “business as usual” on social media. As a Southern California-based business, we at Take Flight are fortunate to be a safe distance from the flames, but we know many people who have been impacted—whether evacuated, displaced, have tragically lost their homes, or are in danger of losing their homes. Our hearts go out to all those affected during this incredibly difficult time.

It’s always so incredible to me to see the best in humanity emerge during such devastation. From neighbors helping neighbors to strangers coming together to support each other, these moments of kindness and compassion remind us of the resilience and strength in our communities.

So, how can small businesses like ours show empathy and navigate social media thoughtfully during a disaster?

1. Pause Non-Essential Content

Step back and review any scheduled posts. Humor, promotions, or unrelated content might not resonate with your audience and could come across as tone-deaf. Take a pause and shift your focus to messaging that reflects the current situation.

2. Acknowledge the Impact

Ignoring such a significant event might make your business appear disconnected. Use your platform to express concern and solidarity with those impacted. A simple, heartfelt post can let your audience know you care.

3. Provide Resources

Be a helpful voice during this time. Share ways your community can get involved—whether by donating, volunteering, or offering support to those in need. Here are a few organizations providing critical assistance:

American Red Cross: Offering shelter and relief services for evacuees.

California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief Fund: Supporting wildfire recovery efforts.

World Central Kitchen: Delivering meals to those affected by the fires.

Local food banks and shelters: Many are collecting donations and need volunteers.

4. Take Action if You Can

If your business has the ability to help—whether through donating a portion of sales, hosting a supply drive, or volunteering as a team—share that with your audience. People appreciate businesses that actively contribute to their communities.

Disasters remind us of the strength in community and compassion. At Take Flight, we believe in using our platform to help spread awareness and resources. Together, we can make a difference for those in need.

The Power of Visuals: Creating Stunning Graphics for Social Media

People don’t just glance at visuals, they experience them.

– Anonymous

When it comes to soical media, grabbing attention is everything! For small business owners, compelling visuals can be the key to standing out in a crowded digital space. The good news? You don’t need to be a professional designer to create eye-catching graphics that captivate your audience. With a few simple tools and techniques, you can produce stunning visuals that elevate your brand and increase engagement.

Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

1. Choose the Right Tools

There are many easy-to-use design tools available, even for those with little to no experience. Here are some favorites:

• Canva: Known for its user-friendly interface, Canva offers pre-made templates and a drag-and-drop editor, making it perfect for beginners. You can customize colors, fonts, and images to suit your brand.

• Adobe Spark: This tool is great for creating visuals and videos alike. It has a variety of templates for social media posts, stories, and ads, and it integrates seamlessly with Adobe’s Creative Cloud.

• PicMonkey: This tool offers advanced editing options and allows for collaboration, which is great if you have a small team.

2. Focus on Consistency

Consistency in your visuals is key to building brand recognition. Choose a color palette and stick with it. Use the same fonts and logo placement across all posts to create a cohesive look. Canva and other tools allow you to save your brand kit, making it easy to apply the same styles to every post.

3. Incorporate High-Quality Images

High-quality images instantly make your content look more professional. You can find free, high-resolution stock images on websites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay. For product photos, consider investing in a decent camera or hiring a photographer to capture your brand in the best light.

4. Use Simple, Clean Designs

When it comes to designing graphics for social media, less is often more. Avoid overcrowding your images with too much text or too many elements. Focus on clean lines, clear messaging, and visual hierarchy to guide your audience’s eye to the most important part of your post.

5. Experiment with Video and Animation

Static images are great, but video and animations are even better at grabbing attention. Tools like Canva and Adobe Spark make it easy to add simple animations or turn your static posts into engaging videos with just a few clicks.

With these tips and tools, you can create stunning graphics that showcase your brand, engage your audience, and boost your social media presence.

Need help getting started or taking your visuals to the next level? Reach out to Take Flight for assistance! Whether you need design support, custom graphics created with tools like the ones mentioned above, advice on royalty-free image websites, or professional photos, we’ve got you covered. Did you know we create visuals and take photos for many of our clients, too? Let’s work together to create content that soars above the rest!