Your Social Media Follower Count Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think

A message came through recently inside the Fashion Photography Club that really stuck with me:

“I only have 270 followers on Instagram. I honestly think it prevents brands from taking me seriously.”

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. I see this mindset all the time—and I want to take a moment to clear something up:

You don’t need a big following to get booked.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that numbers = credibility. That if you’re not hitting 10K, 50K, or 100K followers, you’re somehow not legit.

But here’s the truth:
Clients don’t hire you because you’re popular. They hire you because your work speaks to them and their audience.

When I Started Pitching, I Had Less Than 1,000 Followers

No personal brand.
No consistent colour palette.
No signature editing style.
Honestly? I barely knew how to use a camera (okay… half-joking!).

But I had something even more powerful: A dream and an email address.

And that was enough to get started. I pitched anyway. And it worked.

What Actually Matters to Clients

  • A strong, relevant portfolio

  • A kind, confident, well-written pitch

  • Thoughtful ideas that show you get their brand

If you’ve got those? Your follower count is just a number.

You can still:
✔️ Reach out to brands who align with your aesthetic
✔️ Make genuine, meaningful connections
✔️ Get booked—well before your Instagram ever “takes off”

If Social Media Feels Like a Struggle...

You're not alone. Algorithms can be discouraging, and the pressure to constantly “perform” on Instagram is real. But here's what I recommend instead:

Stick to what you enjoy
Hate Reels but love grid posts? Focus on that. You’ll be more consistent when it feels natural.

Repurpose your work
Turn behind-the-scenes footage, styling close-ups, and unused images into fresh content—no new shoots needed.

Add your portfolio link to your bio
It sounds obvious, but it’s one of the most overlooked steps. Make it easy for people to really see your work.

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-Olivia

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Why Pitching Isn’t Working for You (And How to Fix It Fast)