Don't Make the Mistake I Did: How a Social Media Agency Ruined My Instagram Growth
I wanted to hit 10,000 followers on Instagram. It was a big goal—one that felt far away when I first started. But I knew the only way to get there was to break it down into small, actionable steps and take it one day at a time.
At first, I followed the standard advice: create content consistently, engage with my audience, and iterate on what works. And for a while, I was making steady progress. My posts were reaching more people, my engagement was growing, and I was starting to see real traction.
But then, I made a mistake.
I tried a social media agency called Path Social, and I would not recommend them to anyone. They promised growth, but what they really delivered was fake followers that killed my organic reach. I went from getting solid engagement to barely reaching my audience. My real followers stopped seeing my content, and Instagram’s algorithm deprioritized my posts. It set me back massively.
At that point, I had two choices:
Give up and accept the damage.
Reverse-engineer a comeback strategy.
I chose the second option.
Fixing the Damage and Growing the Right Way
I went back to the fundamentals, but this time, I was even more intentional:
I focused on real engagement – Every comment, DM, and interaction mattered. I started replying to everything, sparking real conversations, and reconnecting with my audience.
I leaned into Instagram’s newest features – Instagram always favors its latest updates, and right now, Trial Reels are a game-changer. They put my content in front of way more people. Instead of relying on artificial growth, I let the algorithm work for me.
I optimized my content strategy – Instead of just posting randomly, I analyzed what worked, what flopped, and why. I doubled down on content that resonated.
I treated my brand like a business – I thought about my page from an industry perspective. If I wanted real opportunities, I needed a real audience.
And now? Brands are reaching out to me.
Plugin companies are offering free software just for me to try and share my thoughts.
Promotion companies are offering free placements in exchange for an Instagram reel.
My organic engagement is finally bouncing back, and the community I’m building is actually real.
The Lesson: Growth Takes Strategy, Not Shortcuts
If you’re a producer trying to grow, learn from my mistake: Do not rely on fake growth. It might feel like a shortcut, but it will cost you more in the long run.
Instead, reverse-engineer your goal the right way:
Create valuable content.
Engage with your audience daily.
Use Instagram’s newest features (right now, Trial Reels are insane).
Treat your brand like a business, not just a social page.
The opportunities will come—but only if you put in the real work.
If you're an artist, creator, or someone looking to grow your personal brand, I’ve developed a formula that actually works—no fake followers, no dead engagement, just real growth. Right now, I’m reaching over 100K views on my Instagram profile every month.
If you want to build your brand the right way and start getting real opportunities from your audience, book a call with me here. Let’s make it happen.
