Okay, real talk—I can’t scroll through a photography group without seeing *another* post about a “follow train.” If you’re not familiar with what that is, let me break it down for you: it’s when a bunch of people decide to follow each other on social media (usually Instagram) to boost their follower count. But honestly? It’s my biggest marketing pet peeve, and here’s why it’s just not a good move.

What’s the Deal with Follow Trains?

A follow train sounds great in theory—drop your Instagram handle, follow a bunch of people, and they follow you back. Easy, right? 💎 But here’s the problem: those people don’t care about your photography, your style, or your business. They just want a new follower, too!

Why Follow Trains are a No-Go for Photographers

1. Your Engagement Stays Low

Sure, you’ve got more followers now, but are they engaging with your posts? Liking, commenting, or even noticing your work? Nope. 💎 Social platforms (like Instagram) care about how many people are actually interacting with your content. If those new followers don’t care, your posts won’t show up in their feeds or anyone else’s. It’s basically a numbers game that you’ll lose.

2. They’re Not Going to Book You

Most of the people in follow trains are other photographers or random accounts trying to grow their own following. And let’s be honest— 💎 they’re not going to hire you for a photoshoot. What you really need are clients following you—people who love your work and want to pay you for it!

3. It Looks Fake

Ever come across an account with 10k followers but like 20 likes on a photo? Yeah, it’s not a great look. People notice when your follower count is high but your engagement is super low. 💎 It just makes your account seem less trustworthy, and trust is everything when it comes to attracting clients.

4. You Could Spend Your Time Better

Instead of chasing empty followers, imagine what you could do with that time! Work on your website, send an email newsletter, or build relationships with real potential clients. The return on that effort will be way more rewarding.

So, What Should You Do Instead?

💎 Rather than wasting your time on follow trains, let’s focus on strategies that actually help you get clients. Not sure where to start? I’ve got your back!

– Download my free guide: Social Media-Free Marketing for Photographers. It’s packed with tips on how to grow your business without worrying about your follower count.

– Watch my YouTube video: Why Follow Trains are Hurting Your Photography Business I explain why these trains are more harmful than helpful and share what you should be focusing on instead.

💎 Bottom line: Follow trains might seem like a quick fix, but in reality, they don’t do much for your business. Invest your time in building real connections with people who want to hire you, and you’ll be way ahead of the game!

What do you think about follow trains? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!