Episode Summary: "Does Follower Count Even Matter? | Bathroom Break #66 🚽"

Released on July 28, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Marketing Millennials, host Daniel Murray teams up with guest Jay Schwedelson from the Do This, Not That Podcast for a special installment of the Bathroom Break series. This episode delves into the pivotal question for modern marketers: Do follower counts still matter?

Introduction to the Bathroom Break Series

The episode kicks off with a lighthearted introduction to the Bathroom Break series, a collaboration between Daniel Murray and Jay Schwedelson. They humorously highlight the dual-purpose nature of the series—offering quick marketing tips perfect for a short break.

Jay Schwedelson (00:02):
"That extra 10 minutes you either have to listen to marketing tips or use the bathroom. Or both. But I don't recommend both. But that's your choice."

Do Follower Counts Still Matter?

1. The Role of Followers in Social Proof

Daniel Murray emphasizes the enduring importance of follower counts as a measure of social proof. He argues that a substantial follower base enhances credibility and influences purchasing decisions.

Daniel Murray (01:55):
"It's less the world. But I still think it's important because I think social proof matters on pages. And let me tell you why. Because if you're on Instagram and you're looking at a business that you want and some of your followers or friends follow that company or that restaurant or that product, like you're more than likely to be like, oh, they think it's cool. I want to buy from that product."

He further explains that a higher follower count makes a business appear more legitimate compared to those with minimal followers.

2. Followers vs. Content Reach

Jay Schwedelson adds a nuanced perspective, distinguishing between follower counts and content reach. He shares his personal experience with YouTube, noting that shorts can achieve significant circulation regardless of the subscriber base.

Jay Schwedelson (02:55):
"Because Daniel's point, it is no longer just about oh, you have a lot of followers, it's going to circulate to a lot of people. It's this thing resonating with people and then the algorithm picks it up and runs with it."

This highlights the shift towards algorithms prioritizing engaging content over sheer follower numbers.

3. Algorithms and Content Quality

Daniel concurs, pointing out that modern algorithms are interest-based, allowing high-quality content to reach broader audiences irrespective of follower counts.

Daniel Murray (02:55):
"The algorithms have changed to an interest based which means that like the algorithms are just feeding. If you have 10 followers, it could, could circulate in the feed because they just want to put like the best content in front of the audience to keep them on, on the platform."

4. Strategies for Leveraging Content Over Followers

Both Daniel and Jay emphasize the importance of content quality in leveling the playing field. Daniel mentions how companies and creators are adopting strategies like managing multiple accounts to maximize reach.

Daniel Murray (04:20):
"I think we're in an age where you can be any size company and beat any big company by putting out better content. [...] You can compete now on a level playing field, especially on Instagram, YouTube shorts, TikTok."

Jay reinforces this by sharing his YouTube channel experience, where shorts garner more views despite having fewer subscribers compared to larger channels.

Establishing a Baseline for Credibility

Both hosts agree on the necessity of maintaining a baseline follower count to avoid negative perceptions. Jay advises ensuring your social media profiles have enough followers to appear legitimate, especially when potential clients or customers evaluate your business.

Jay Schwedelson (05:56):
"Get very focused on what is the minimum number that you need to have to not embarrass your company. Right? So when someone goes to the page like, all right, they're legit."

Daniel adds that maintaining this baseline is crucial for the effectiveness of new features like broadcast channels and newsletters on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram.

Personal Exchange and Lighthearted Banter

The conversation takes a playful turn as Daniel and Jay discuss their lunch choices, adding a personal touch to the professional dialogue. This segment humanizes the hosts, making the discussion more relatable.

Jay Schwedelson (06:52):
"Let me ask you this though. So we just ordered lunch. Daniel and I are actually live in person with each other, staring at each other. You went wrap, I went salad."

Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways

As the episode wraps up, Daniel and Jay encourage listeners to engage with their content on social media platforms. They reiterate the importance of balancing follower counts with content quality to establish and maintain credibility in the digital landscape.

Daniel Murray (08:25):
"Go follow the Marketing Millennials podcast, but also tune into this series. It's once a week, the Bathroom Break. We talk about marketing tips that we just spew out."

Key Insights and Conclusions

1. Follower Counts as Social Proof: While algorithms now prioritize engaging content, a substantial follower base remains crucial for building trust and legitimacy.

2. Content Quality Drives Reach: High-quality, resonant content can achieve significant circulation even with a smaller follower base, thanks to interest-based algorithms.

3. Baseline Follower Thresholds: Establishing a minimum follower count across platforms is essential to avoid negative perceptions and enhance business credibility.

4. Strategic Content Management: Utilizing multiple accounts and leveraging new platform features like shorts and newsletters can optimize reach and engagement.

5. Balancing Act: Marketers should focus on both growing their follower counts to maintain legitimacy and producing high-quality content to maximize reach and engagement.

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