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How to Gain Followers on Social Media: Proven Strategies for 2024

Crescitaly Staff

Crescitaly Staff

— 3 min read

In April 2024, a 23-year-old jewelry artist from Sicily named Lara sold out her handmade collection on Instagram in under 36 hours. She didn’t have a celebrity endorsement or viral moment — just 2,500 loyal followers she had grown carefully over the last year.

Her secret? A blend of consistent storytelling, smart content formats, and the right growth tools.

Whether you're a creator launching your first product or a brand managing multiple channels, growing a real audience on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram isn’t about chasing algorithms — it's about sustainable, strategic connection-building.

The 2024 Social Media Landscape: What’s Changed

If you’ve noticed your organic reach shrinking this year, you’re not alone. Platforms are pushing creators and brands to pay for visibility, leaving many marketers wondering how to grow their followers without emptying their ad budget.

  • Instagram: Prioritizing Reels and close-friend-style connection
  • TikTok: Favoring raw, fast-paced content with high comment-to-view ratios
  • YouTube: Shorts are now responsible for over 30% of platform-wide growth
  • Telegram: A dark horse for direct, high-trust communication with followers

In short, the “post and ghost” days are over. Today’s growth relies on interaction, speed, and purpose-built tools.

Organic vs. Paid: Why Both Play Key Roles

There’s a common myth that real growth has to be 100% organic. But savvy creators use hybrid strategies — combining healthy paid boosts with authentic content and automation tools like SMM panels to scale without burning out.

Organic, But Optimized

These are the content types winning organic reach in 2024:

  • Face-to-camera videos: Human, short, and emotionally engaging
  • Behind-the-scenes on Telegram: Offering exclusive updates and early access via channels or groups
  • Loop-style TikToks: Designed to repeat and increase watch time
  • Carousel posts on Instagram: Still performing well for educational or visual storytelling

Using services like Crescitaly.com allows marketers to accelerate growth without compromising authenticity. Crescitaly’s advanced panel offers targeted engagement tools — meaning your content gets in front of the right eyes, faster.

“Don’t chase the number — chase the attention of the right people. You only need 1,000 super fans to build a movement.” — Alex Hermoza, Growth Consultant

Platform-Specific Strategies to Gain Followers

Instagram: Reels, Conversations, and Creator Collabs

Instagram’s algorithm heavily favors interaction and time spent, especially on Reels. Here’s what’s working:

  • Reply to comments with video: Turn top comments into Reel responses
  • Use remix and collab features: Leverage the audiences of similar creators
  • Leverage DMs manually or via automation: Personalized messages increase retention

According to Crescitaly's dashboard data, accounts that consistently post Reels with engagement CTAs (call-to-action) see up to 42% faster follower growth compared to static-feed-only creators.

TikTok: Quick Wins and Long Games

Growth still happens overnight on TikTok — but only if you know what’s trending. Here’s what to focus on:

  • Use trending audio within 72 hours of appearing on the top charts
  • Create loops (ending the video where it started)
  • Ask one simple question to drive comments
  • Stitch thought leaders to begin or join niche conversations

Make use of TikTok analytics — optimize around watch time, not likes. That’s what feeds the For You page engine.

YouTube: Shorts Stability and Evergreen Content

YouTube has become an interesting hybrid platform — favoring both short-form (via Shorts) and long-form content. For growing followers:

  • Publish Shorts daily (under 60 seconds, high hook within 2 seconds)
  • Use consistent branding: intros, fonts, and tone
  • Cross-post to TikTok and reels to recycle effective content
  • Optimize thumbnails even on Shorts (they now matter in suggestions)

Pair short-form attention grabs with longer videos that build trust. Embed linkable CTAs to your next video or Telegram group.

Telegram: The High-Trust Channel Most Are Ignoring

Still behind the curve in the West, Telegram is booming for creators and marketers who want deeper engagement without platform algorithms getting in the way.

  • Create broadcast channels for exclusive drops, product announcements, and behind-the-scenes
  • Use group polls, quizzes, and reactions to keep followers invested
  • Drive Instagram or TikTok into Telegram for controlled follow-up

The key here is transparency — Telegram isn’t about surface content. It’s where real loyalty builds.

Beyond Follower Count: Quality Over Vanity

More followers are great — but do they interact, share, and buy? Growth for its own sake is a treadmill. Focus on these KPIs instead:

  • Average watch time per Reel or TikTok
  • DM responses or click-through rates (CTR) on links
  • Saved posts — a stronger signal than likes
  • Channel joins from external links (Telegram, Discord, etc.)

Smart marketers don’t just chase metrics — they measure behavior.

Final Thoughts: Your Growth Blueprint

Gaining followers in 2024 means more than going viral. It’s about consistency, human-centered content, and using the right tools to scale smartly.

Here are five takeaways to apply this week:

  • Create one Reel and one Short from the same raw video
  • Test a trending TikTok sound in your own voice
  • Launch a Telegram channel and invite your top viewers
  • Use Crescitaly.com’s panel to boost strategic posts
  • Track engagement, not just follower count

If Lara could sell out her handmade drop with just 2,500 fans, imagine what you can do with an audience that actively trusts you. Build with purpose — the numbers will follow.

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