For small creators who are just starting out, growing an audience can feel extremely slow. Because of that, buying followers is often discussed as a way to boost social proof and make a profile look more established. However, it’s not always clear what the real return on investment actually is.
When people talk about ROI, are they measuring reach, engagement, brand perception, or monetization opportunities? I want to understand what small creators realistically gain — and don’t gain — from buying followers. Is the value mostly psychological and visual, or can it have practical benefits when used carefully? A realistic breakdown of costs versus outcomes would help clarify whether this makes sense for smaller accounts.
