The Best Platforms for Growing Your Audience

Unlocking Growth Secrets for Small Creators

This week, Metricool released their 2025 Social Media Study. This extensive report analyzed over 1.3 million accounts and 21 million social posts, revealing valuable insights for creators looking to navigate the complex world of social media.

Where Do Small Accounts Grow Best?

So, where do accounts starting from scratch have the best chance to grow? The report reveals insightful data regarding reach based on impressions per follower for accounts with less than 2,000 followers:

• YouTube: 26.29 impressions per follower
• TikTok: 3.61 impressions per follower
• Instagram Reels: 1.20 impressions per follower

YouTube clearly stands out as the leading platform for visibility, offering an impressive 26.29 impressions for each follower, making it an ideal choice for new creators. This strong performance is consistent even as accounts continue to grow, demonstrating YouTube’s reliability as a growth engine.

Following YouTube is TikTok, which also ranks highly, showing that it’s another solid option for emerging creators. However, it’s essential to note that TikTok’s effectiveness tends to decrease with larger accounts, which means while it can be a powerhouse in the early stages, you might find your reach plateauing as your following increases.

On the flip side, platforms like X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and Twitch show low scalability. These networks present challenges for individuals attempting to reach a substantial number of followers. The data confirms that growing audiences on these platforms can be particularly challenging.

The Content Strategy for Streamers

In addition to identifying where to grow, understanding the content funnel is crucial for streamers to maximize their potential. Here’s a breakdown of three key stages:

1. Become Visible (Using Video Content):

• Focus on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. These are ideal for maximizing reach even without an existing audience. With their algorithms prioritizing visibility, new creators can attract attention and build an initial following.
• Use engaging video content to draw viewers in and start your growth journey, since videos continue to outperform other formats across metrics like reach and engagement.

2. Create Connections (By Being Authentic and Providing Value):

• Once you have visibility, it’s time to foster engagement.
• Platforms like Twitch and YouTube serve as excellent grounds for building relationships with your audience. Engage authentically through livestreams, interactive chats, and community-driven content that provides real value.
• Content that resonates emotionally leads to deeper connections and encourages your audience to become loyal fans.

3. Convert (Monetize):

• Finally, turn your audience into a revenue stream.
• Platforms that enable you to monetize your community, such as Patreon, Twitch Subscriptions, or YouTube Memberships will allow you to provide value while generating income.
• This step is essential for sustainability in your creator journey, ensuring that your hard work translates into tangible rewards.

TLDR

If you don’t have time to read through a 100-page report, here’s the TLDR:

• Invest in video: This medium consistently performs well across all creator sizes.
• Use TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts: These platforms are perfect for new creators to get quick repetitions and refine their content creation skills.
• Engage authentically: Build connections through genuine storytelling and valuable insights.

🔥 Pete’s Content Corner

Delve into my weekly selection of content creation highlights—handpicked videos, podcasts, and tweets that promise to captivate, educate, and entertain.

1. NASA is set to host its first live Twitch event from the International Space Station, allowing viewers to interact with astronauts and learn about life in orbit on February 12.
2. Roblox has made headlines by paying creators nearly $1 billion in 2024, with earnings driven by a steady stream of digital items created by content creators.
3. StreamElements has announced support for Kick, providing streamers with free tools for engagement, moderation, and multistreaming, helping them grow their communities across platforms.