How to Grow Your Social Following Without Feeling Fake

Let’s face it - social media can feel like a chore. Especially for unsigned bands who just want to focus on making music, not trends. But like it or not, platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are where fans find you. The key is doing it in a way that feels natural - not forced.

You don’t need to dance, fake a persona, or chase viral sounds. You just need to show up consistently, honestly, and with a clear sense of who you are.

Here’s how to grow without feeling like a sellout:

1. Show what it’s really like
Fans love behind-the-scenes content. Not the glossy, curated kind - the real stuff.
Post a 10-sec clip of a chaotic practice. A photo from the van on the way to a gig. A quick story about how your last recording session went sideways. These moments build connection - and they’re easier to make than trying to be perfect.

2. Talk to the camera (sometimes)
A short video of your vocalist saying “Hey, we’ve got a new track out and it means a lot to us” does more than a fancy graphic ever will. You don’t have to overdo it - just be human. Fans don’t just follow bands. They follow people in bands.

3. Use captions that sound like you
Avoid PR-speak. No one’s impressed by:
“New single out now - available on all platforms.”
Instead, try:
“We nearly scrapped this song twice. It’s finally out. Hope it hits you like it hit us.”
You’re not a press agency - you’re a band with something to say.

4. Reuse your best content
That clip from rehearsal? Cut it for Reels, Stories, and TikTok. Post it again in two weeks with a different caption. Don’t assume everyone saw it the first time - they didn’t.

5. Engage back
Reply to comments. Share fan posts. Shout out other unsigned bands. Social isn’t a broadcast platform - it’s a conversation. When you treat it that way, people stick around.

6. Don’t stress about follower count
You don’t need 10k followers to make an impact. You need 100 people who care. A small, engaged audience will stream, share, show up to gigs, and buy merch. That’s worth far more than empty likes from people who don’t even know what you sound like.

When in doubt, ask: Would we post this if no one else saw it but our fans?
If the answer’s yes - you’re on the right track.