The Startup Ideas Podcast
The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.
“followers, man. Like they don't have anything. Why are we working with them?”
What It Means
Traditional business people mistakenly focus on follower count rather than content performance ability
Why It Matters
This misconception creates arbitrage opportunities for brands that understand platform algorithms
When It's True
On platforms with strong for-you-page algorithms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts
When It's Risky
On platforms still driven by social graphs, or when targeting very specific known audiences
How to Apply
Look past follower counts when evaluating creators
Test small budgets with zero-follower creators in your niche
Focus on content quality and niche alignment over vanity metrics
Example Scenario
“A productivity app finds a creator with 0 followers who makes excellent study tips content, pays them $900/month, and their videos consistently outperform 100K-follower influencers”