Losing followers isn't always a bad thing

How to Lose Followers — And Why You Should

We don’t often talk about losing followers — not seriously anyway. Usually, when someone mentions it, they’re being ironic or sarcastic. They’re saying, “Don’t do this, or you’ll lose followers.” But today, I mean it sincerely.

This episode is about how to lose followers — and why that might actually be a good thing.

Followers Change You

When you start creating content, you're doing it because something moves you. You have passions, ideas, and interests you want to share. You build a small following — people who resonate with your voice.

But over time, things shift. You get views. You want more. You notice what performs well, and you start chasing that. You diversify. You adjust. You evolve — but not always in a direction you like.

Suddenly, you're no longer doing what you love. You’re doing what your followers want. And not all of them are following you for the right reasons.

Not All Followers Are Equal

Some followers are wonderful. They support you for what you actually offer. Others just want more of what they like — even if that has nothing to do with your purpose.

This isn’t always malicious. It's just how online platforms work. The algorithm rewards what gets clicks. And when one kind of content takes off, it becomes harder and harder to resist leaning into it — even if it's not you anymore.

The Trap of Algorithmic Growth

Imagine someone makes a heartfelt video about a personal tragedy — and it goes viral. What now? Make more videos about tragedies? Fake emotions for clicks?

This is the uncomfortable truth about chasing followers. It can lead you into a place where you’re performing for applause instead of creating with purpose.

The Death of the Follower

Even the concept of a “follower” is outdated. Social media doesn’t really care who you follow anymore. The algorithm decides what you see.

You might have millions of followers, but only a handful actually see your posts. Meanwhile, someone with a small, dedicated audience could have much better engagement and impact.

Lessons from Email Newsletters

In email marketing, people regularly remove subscribers who aren’t engaging. Why? Because open and click rates matter. A smaller but engaged list is far more valuable than a large, dead one.

You don’t see this kind of thinking on social media because we’re all chasing vanity metrics. We want that big number under our profile picture. But what does it really mean?

Losing Followers Is Healthy

If your goal is real engagement, honest expression, or building a thoughtful community — you need to lose some followers. Especially the ones who aren’t here for you.

Go back to your roots. Reconnect with why you started. Make the content you want to make. You will lose followers — and that’s the point.

The ones who stay? They’re your people.

What Kind of Audience Do You Want?

I often get suggestions to “add more editing” to my videos. Flashier intros, pop-up text, sound effects. But I keep things simple for a reason.

I want people who are here to listen — not just be entertained. People who value the words, not the packaging.

Because I’m not here to impress an algorithm. I’m here to speak, to write, and to build something meaningful.

You should also listen to

• A bot apocalypse is coming to social media
• Influencing my future on the social web