Most people who start building an audience online dream of going viral.
They think that once they have thousands—maybe even millions—of followers, their business will take off, money will flow, and life will be set.
That’s a lie.
The truth? A big audience doesn’t mean a profitable business. If you’re attracting the wrong people, you’re setting yourself up to fail.
I learned this the hard way.
When I first started posting online, I saw fast growth. I shared philosophy, insights, and life lessons—the kind of content that resonates easily and gets engagement.
People liked it. They followed. They commented.
Then I started talking about business, personal branding, and the creator economy.
And that’s when something strange happened.
Growth stalled. Some people even left.
At first, I questioned myself. Am I doing something wrong? Am I losing my touch?
But then I realized something that changed everything:
I had built an audience of freeloaders—people who wanted free entertainment, but not real transformation.
They liked my words, but they weren’t ready to take action.
And when I started talking about building a business, making money online, and taking ownership of your future, they checked out.
Good.
Because they weren’t my people.
I wasn’t here to entertain.
I was here to help people escape the corporate grind, build something real, and transform their lives.
That meant losing the wrong followers to make room for the right ones.
And if you’re serious about turning your expertise into a business, you need to do the same.
Your Audience Isn’t Just Numbers—It’s Buyers vs. Bystanders
Too many creators fall into the vanity trap. They focus on growing their numbers—followers, likes, comments.
And when engagement dips? They panic.
But here’s the thing:
- Engagement doesn’t pay your bills.
- Likes don’t turn into revenue.
- A massive audience doesn’t mean a thriving business.
Because here’s what they don’t tell you:
Most people aren’t ready to pay the price of admission into the life they want. Most people say they want success—but they’re addicted to free content instead of real action.
They’ll read your posts. They’ll nod their heads. They’ll even comment, “This is gold.”
But when it comes time to actually invest in themselves?
They disappear.
You don’t need those people.
You need the ones who are ready to take action.
The ones who are tired of waiting for a sign and are ready to bet on themselves.
The ones who are willing to invest in transformation, not just scroll for dopamine hits.
The moment I started shifting my content toward real business-building, I lost casual spectators.
But I gained students.
And those are the people who matter.
Because engagement is fleeting. But impact? That’s what builds a real business.
Stop Trying to Please Everyone
This is where most people fail.
They want everyone to like them. They want every post to be a hit. They’re terrified of losing followers.
So what do they do?
They water down their content. They avoid making strong points. They play it safe.
And in the process, they become just like everyone else.
But here’s the reality:
If your content is attracting everyone, it’s resonating with no one.
The moment you start speaking directly to the right people, the wrong ones will leave. Let them.
Your goal isn’t to be popular.
Your goal is to build a business that pays you to do what you love.
And that only happens when you attract an audience that actually wants what you offer.
The right audience doesn’t just consume—they commit. The right audience doesn’t just follow—they buy. The right audience doesn’t just “like” what you do—they invest in it.
So don’t chase the masses.
Build for the ones who actually want to go on this journey with you.
And if that means losing people along the way?
It means you’re doing something right.
How to Attract the Right People (And Repel the Wrong Ones)
So, how do you actually do this?
How do you build an audience that isn’t just watching but actually buying?
1. Get Clear on Who You’re Talking To
Stop trying to be everything to everyone.
- Who are you actually helping?
- What’s their biggest struggle?
- What’s the transformation you offer?
When you get ultra-specific on who you serve, your content speaks directly to them.
And the people who don’t resonate?
They’ll leave.
Perfect.
2. Create Content That Filters People Out
Most people think good content attracts followers.
Great content does something even better:
It filters the wrong people out.
You want your content to make some people say, “This is exactly what I need.” And others say, “This isn’t for me.”
That’s how you know you’re dialing in on the right audience.
3. Sell Early (And Watch Who Sticks Around)
The easiest way to know if you have the right audience?
Make an offer.
- Sell a low-ticket product.
- Offer coaching.
- Launch a paid newsletter.
And see who sticks around.
The wrong audience will vanish. The right one will lean in.
Because buyers act differently than bystanders.
The Hardest Part of Growth Is Letting Go
The biggest mistake I made when I first started?
Thinking that growth meant holding onto everyone.
I wanted to keep the audience that loved my early content.
I wanted everyone to come along for the ride.
But the truth is:
Not everyone is meant to go with you.
Your content will evolve. Your message will refine. Your audience will shift.
And some people?
They’ll fall away.
That’s not failure.
That’s progress.
So if you’re losing followers because you’re finally talking about what matters to you?
If you’re seeing a dip in engagement because you’re finally making offers instead of giving everything away for free?
If you’re noticing that some people are checking out?
Good.
Because what happens next is even better.
The right people will show up.
The ones who value what you do. The ones who are ready to invest. The ones who don’t just follow—you, they trust you.
And those people?
They’re the ones who will turn your audience into a real business.
So stop trying to keep everyone happy.
Lose the wrong ones. Gain the right ones. And build something that actually lasts.
