From 11 to 19k followers: How I built a supportive community

What you’ll find in the newsletter: my simple networking tips to develop an engaging community

When I first started on Twitter, I had just 11 followers. Yep, eleven! 

But today, I’m proud to say that I’ve grown a supportive and engaged community that has been instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey.

So, how did I go from 11 to 19,000+ followers?

Spoiler alert: It wasn’t magic or luck. It took consistent effort, genuine connections, and a few key strategies that I will share with you.

Building a community isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating a network of people who support, challenge, and help you grow. And trust me, it’s one of the most powerful assets you can have as a startup founder.

Having a solid community means more than just followers—it’s like having a built-in support system that gives you honest feedback, opens up new opportunities, and even helps spread the word about what you’re doing. 

If you want to learn more about how personal branding ties into all this, you can check out my thoughts here.

Let’s look into the key steps that helped me build a thriving community from scratch.

Start with what you know

If you want to build a strong community from the ground up, you've got to start with what you know.

When I began my journey on Twitter, I wasn't a marketing expert or a social media guru. But I knew data science, entrepreneurship, and SaaS like the back of my hand, so I focused on those.

This tweet for instance reached more than 1 million view when I had less than 2k followers:

Your initial foundation should be built on your strengths. By sharing my expertise, I not only providing value but also establishing myself as an authority in your field.

So, before you try to conquer every niche, ask yourself: What do I know inside out? What can I talk about every day without feeling like an imposter? That's where you should start. 

Trust me, it's the easiest way to attract a like-minded audience who will support and grow with you.

Consistency is Key

When I started tweeting daily, I didn’t see immediate results. But I knew that showing up every day was crucial. Like any successful product, consistency builds trust and keeps people coming back.

Initially, my posts weren’t getting much attention, but I stuck with them. It wasn’t long before my efforts paid off, and one of my posts went viral, catapulting my follower count from a few dozen to over 1,000 in just 48 hours.

People are likely to follow and engage with someone who shows up regularly. It’s a simple yet powerful way to grow your community steadily.

Engage and Interact

When I first started gaining followers on Twitter, I quickly realised that it wasn’t just about the numbers. It’s easy to get caught up in the race for more followers, but what truly matters is the quality of those connections. 

Do not be the distracted guy!

Instead of focusing solely on growth with random strategies, I made it a point to engage with my audience—replying to comments, answering questions, and even starting conversations.

Think of it this way: rather than just broadcasting your message, you’re opening up a dialogue. This approach transforms passive followers into an active, engaged community. 

Leverage your network for growth

Your network acts as a multiplier. Instead of trying to reach everyone alone, you can use the connections you’ve built to amplify your message. 

Whether through collaborations, shout-outs, or simply asking for support, your network can help you reach new audiences you might not otherwise have access to.

Some companies contacted me because they heard about me on X. The power of social medias is big.

Just as you enter a new market where the competition is not as intense, you can grow by leveraging your network in spaces where you already have a foothold.

Engage with large accounts (without being spammy) 

One of the fastest ways to gain visibility is by engaging with larger accounts in your niche. I also made sure to actively engage with other X accounts, especially those that had a strong following. 

But here's the catch: it’s crucial to do it authentically. Don’t just drop generic comments or try to hijack their audience. Instead, offer meaningful insights, ask thoughtful questions, or share your experiences.

By engaging genuinely, you can attract the attention of both the account owner and their followers, which can boost your visibility. Over time, these interactions can lead to collaborations, shout-outs, and connections that can significantly expand your reach.

Give Before You Get

When I began tweeting, I focused on offering value first. Whether it was insights into data science, entrepreneurship tips, or lessons learned from my SaaS projects, my goal was to help others without expecting anything in return. This approach paid off. 

By giving freely and consistently, I built trust and fostered a community that eventually became a source of support and collaboration.

Take a page from my experience: provide value to your community without expecting immediate returns. It’s this mindset that converts followers into a loyal network eager to support your journey.

The most successful communities are built on trust and shared value. The more you invest in your community, the more they’ll invest in you.

So, take the first step today—engage, connect, and watch your community grow. People are usually happy to answer. I personnaly try to answer to the max of persons :).

That’s it for today, as usual feel free to answer and ask questions or provide feedbacks: I read all replies