The Power of Niche Content: How to Monetize Social Media Even With A Small Following

Often in social media marketing, we hear that big numbers are everything. More followers, more likes, more engagement – these are the metrics that supposedly drive success.

But what if I told you that a business owner with less than 6,000 Instagram followers is making nearly $1 million in profit annually?

This incredible story challenges our assumptions about social media marketing and offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and content creators alike.

A Surprising Discovery

Alex Hormozi, a successful entrepreneur and content creator, recently had a mind-blowing encounter with a registered dietitian who has built a highly profitable business with a seemingly tiny online presence.

This encounter left him speechless and slightly altered his perspective on social media marketing.

“I had the most insane thing happened last night and it has had me at a loss for words… It took a concept that I kind of believe in and I’ve made some moves around it and it took it to the absolute hyperbolic extreme that you could imagine and it’s still held true.”

How to Monetize Social Media Using a Niche Business Model

The business owner in question helps other registered dietitians bill insurance correctly. It’s an incredibly specific niche, but one that has proven to be extremely lucrative.

On average, dietitians using her coding system for billing add about $100,000 to their annual income.

The Shocking Numbers

When Hormozi asked to see the business owner’s Instagram account, he was stunned by what he found:

• Unverified account
• 5,800 followers
• Average post engagement: 19 likes and 1 comment
• Monthly reach: 2,800 accounts
  

Despite these seemingly low numbers, the business was thriving:

• 10+ sales per day at a lower price point
• 3 sales per week at a higher price point ($4,000-$5,000)
• Nearly $1 million in annual profit
  

The Power of a Small but Engaged Audience

The business owner shared that she got her first sale when she had only eight people on her email list. Today, her email list has grown to 2,900 subscribers – still a relatively small number by many standards.
Yet, she consistently makes sales from these emails.

“It was such a great reset for me, it was such a good nudge as a reminder that the view count you have on the other side… there’s a real person on the other side of this that is watching your clip that has five views.”

Secrets to Her Success

Two key factors contribute to this business owner’s success:

1. Consistency: She posts one Instagram post and one story every day without fail.
2. Hyper-focused content: 100% of her content is about billing insurance as a registered dietitian.
   

The Algorithm Advantage

Hormozi points out that social media algorithms are incredibly good at serving niche content to interested audiences.

He uses his own Instagram feed as an example, which is filled with philosophy, comedy, and gym equipment – his areas of interest. Even small accounts in these niches appear in his feed regularly.

“I think that Niche content will make you a hell of a lot more money if that’s what you’re actually selling.”

Pitfalls of Broader Content

Hormozi shares two personal experiences where broadening his content focus led to decreased business results:

1. When he shifted his podcast from gym-specific topics to general business, organic sales dropped significantly.
2. A recent experiment with wider-appeal content on YouTube resulted in more views but fewer conversions and lower-quality leads.
   

These experiences reinforce the power of niche content for driving actual business results.

Missionary Mindset

What sets this successful business owner apart is her genuine passion for helping her audience.
She approaches her content creation with a missionary zeal, showing up consistently regardless of the audience size.

“I just never know… there’s one guy who’s bringing his son and they saved up for months to go to this one Bulls game… and that’s the only time they’re going to see me play in their lives… and I want to perform for them.”

This mindset of showing up for even a small audience is a powerful driver of success.

Her Content Creation Strategy

The business owner’s content strategy is remarkably simple:

1. Answer questions from her audience
2. Include a call-to-action in every other post directing followers to the link in her bio
   

This straightforward approach, combined with her deep understanding of her niche, has proven incredibly effective.

The Myth of Needing a Large Following

This success story challenges the common belief that you need a large following to make money online.

Instead, it emphasizes the importance of understanding business principles and serving a specific audience.

“People seek the followers with the idea that the followers are going to make them rich. The followers will make you famous; understanding business will make you rich.”

Importance of True Fans

Hormozi references the concept of “1,000 true fans,” suggesting that a small, deeply engaged audience can be more valuable than a large, passive one. With 1,000 loyal fans willing to spend $10 a month, you could potentially earn $100,000 a year – and often much more.

Focus on Your Expertise

The key takeaway is to focus on what you’re truly good at and passionate about.
Creating content for a specific niche may result in lower view counts, but it can lead to higher engagement and, ultimately, more sales.

“Don’t be afraid of the empty room. Very low views doesn’t mean low Revenue; it just means that it’s more specific and that you’re talking to a more specific person.”

Rethinking Success Metrics and Final Thoughts

This story serves as a powerful reminder to focus on business metrics rather than vanity metrics.
While high follower counts and view numbers might boost your ego, they don’t necessarily translate to business success.

“I want to encourage as many of you as humanly possible to just toss out the vanity metrics because they do not matter if you’re trying to make money.”

By creating valuable, niche-specific content consistently, you can build a loyal audience that’s willing to invest in your products or services.
It’s not about how many people see your content – it’s about reaching the right people who truly need what you have to offer.

(Source: Alex Hormozi Video on a Influencer Turning 5800 Followers Into $1 Million Per Year )