Step 1: Pick a Clear Topic or Problem

People don’t follow generalists. They follow people who help them solve specific problems. If your content is “for everyone,” it ends up being for no one.

Pick one of the following:

• A skill you’re learning or mastering (e.g., freelancing, email copywriting, podcasting)

• A problem you’ve overcome (e.g., laid off and building your own income)

• A journey you’re on (e.g., leaving your 9–5, building in public, launching a product)

You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to share your process, your insights, and what’s working.

Step 2: Choose One Platform and Go All-In

The biggest mistake is trying to post everywhere. Instead, pick one platform, just one, and build momentum there.

Options:

• LinkedIn for professional credibility and B2B opportunities

• Twitter/X for ideas, quick takes, and digital builders

• TikTok or Reels for visual learners and fast growth

• Email for long-term trust and ownership

Start with daily posts. Share what you’re learning, what you’re building, what mistakes you’ve made, and what tools you’re using. Be honest. Be helpful. Be human.

Step 3: Engage Like a Real Person

Don’t just post, engage. Comment on other creators in your niche. Respond to replies. Join conversations. People follow people who show up for them, not just at them.

Think of your early audience like early customers: you earn them one person at a time.

Step 4: Capture Your Audience Somewhere You Own

Likes are nice. Followers help. But emails convert. From day one, offer a simple freebie—a checklist, guide, or template—in exchange for an email. That list becomes your foundation for offers, product launches, or even a daily newsletter.

Step 5: Keep Going (Even When It’s Quiet)

Most people quit after 30 days because they’re not “getting traction.” But audience-building is like compound interest; it’s invisible at first, then suddenly obvious.

Stay consistent for 90 days. That’s when the shift happens. That’s when people start reaching out. That’s when you become “someone to follow.”

Final Thought

The best audience builders in 2025 aren’t the loudest. They’re the most helpful. They show up, speak clearly to a problem, and stay in the game long enough to get noticed. You don’t need to be famous. You just need to be useful to the right 1,000 people.

Start today. One post. One story. One honest share. And build from there.

Entrepreneur Toolkit: Tools to Power Your Business

Beehiiv – Create and grow an email newsletter people actually want to read. Perfect for capturing your early audience.

Typefully – Write and schedule polished Twitter/X threads and posts to build momentum without spending all day online.

Fathom Analytics – A simple, privacy-friendly website analytics tool so you know what’s working and what’s just noise.

Built Not Hired is built for the modern creator, freelancers, solopreneurs, and builders who want freedom and ownership. If that’s you, pick one idea and run with it.