How to Grow a Small Audience (You Don’t Need a Big One—You Just Need This)

If you’ve been frantically Googling how to grow a small audience while secretly wondering if your 187 Instagram followers (half of which are your high school classmates and one very supportive aunt) will ever buy from you—this one’s for you.

Let’s clear this up once and for all: you do not need 10,000 followers, a blue checkmark, or a viral lip-sync reel to build a profitable online business. In fact, a small but engaged audience can be your biggest secret weapon. Yes, really.

In this week’s podcast episode, we’re busting the myth that you need to “blow up” before you cash in. I’m sharing my own story of how I started earning six figures online before I even posted consistently (and often felt guilty about it), plus real examples of entrepreneurs who made serious income with what most people would call a “tiny” following.

We’re diving into how to grow a small audience the right way—from showing up with value, to building trust, to turning your audience (no matter how small) into actual paying customers.

If you’re ready to stop obsessing over the algorithm and start focusing on what actually grows your business—hit play on this one. It’s a truth bomb wrapped in encouragement… with a side of tough love and a few laughs.

I used to think the only way to make money online was to look ultra-polished and post five times a day. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. Very wrong.

I actually built a seven-figure business while posting less than most influencers post in a weekend. How? I focused on building a loyal audience online—not a big one.

People don’t buy because of how many followers you have. They buy because they trust you. And trust comes from:

Want a little boost of proof? According to Nielsen, 92% of people trust recommendations from people they know over ads or influencers. And micro-influencers (with under 10K followers) often get 60% more engagement than their “famous” counterparts. Source: Nielsen on building trust with your audience.

Small is mighty. Seriously.

One of the best ways to increase audience engagement? Stop shouting at the algorithm and start serving your people.

Here’s what works (and what I cover in the episode):

Engagement is a two-way street. You don’t need to post five reels a week if your audience feels seen, heard, and helped by what you’re already sharing.

Let’s rename this section: “Forget Going Viral—Do This Instead”

If you’re in the early stages, here are my favorite audience growth strategies for beginners:

Bonus tip: I grew my list and following massively by hosting free trainings every Thursday. I gave away value, and guess what? People shared it. Real growth doesn’t need to be loud—it just needs to be valuable.

Let’s talk results. One of my students created a super simple, value-packed webinar. They had no real online presence. No audience to speak of.

But the offer was good. The content was great. And in 10 months?

They made over $300K.

My student, Jordan, recently crossed the $2 million mark with a small, but mighty following:

Why? Because she’s built trust. Not reach. And trust builds conversion, not follower count.

Here’s where things get even more exciting: when you combine a small audience with the right digital product, you create a business that scales—without burning out.

Inside the episode, I explain how digital products:

You don’t need a massive launch or a giant email list to make money with a digital product. You just need an offer that solves a problem and a message that’s clear.

Let’s hit these head-on, shall we?

“But I only have 500 followers…”
Perfect. That’s enough. Focus on relationships, not reach.

“I don’t know what I’d create…”
That’s exactly what we figure out together in my new workshop.

“I’m not techy…”
The tools are easy. The templates are ready. If you can click and drag, you can do this.

It’s not about how many people follow you—it’s about how many people trust you. And that trust? You already have it. You just need the strategy to turn it into something real.

If this message hit home for you—and you’re ready to grow your audience with intention and create a digital product that pays you back—I want to invite you to something special.

Confident & Profitable: Your Digital Product Kickstarter Workshop

This live, virtual experience is where we take everything you’ve just read and actually build it out. I’ll help you uncover your most profitable idea, map out your offer, and show you how to launch it—even with a small audience.

Because you don’t need big numbers to build a big business.
You just need clarity, confidence, and the right plan.

Save your seat now at tanyaaliza.com/confident

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Disclaimer: The discussions and opinions expressed on this website are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Results from the strategies or products mentioned can vary and are not guaranteed. Some of the links provided are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Always conduct your own due diligence before making any financial decisions.