Read time: 4 minutes
Today, I’m gonna walk you through how to hit your first 1,000 followers on X—even if you’re starting from zero. These are the same steps I used to go from 0 to 17K.
This isn’t about going viral.
Or copying mega creators.
Or churning out the same recycled threads you’ve seen 100 times.
We’re keeping this simple and intentional, so you can build a real audience that’s genuinely interested in what you say.
Because when the right people follow you:
- Things start to click.
- Opportunities find you.
- DMs turn into collabs.
- You stop feeling like you’re shouting into the void.
Unfortunately… most people never get there
- They post random stuff with no clear focus.
- They chase likes instead of building connection.
- They bail after two weeks of “meh” results.
That’s not going to be you.
You’re about to see 5 steps that actually work—without overextending yourself.
Vanity growth ≠ real influence
No hacks. No gimmicks. Just proven steps that pull in people who want to hear from you.
The kind of followers who:
- Show up in your replies and DMs.
- Share your work because it’s valuable.
- Stick around even when you’re not posting daily.
- Open doors to paid work, collabs, and real leverage.
Sound good? Cool.
Here’s how it works.
How to Get Your First 1,000 Followers in 5 Steps
Here are the 5 steps I used to build my first 1,000 real followers:
- Optimize Your Follow-Worthiness
- Pin a 24/7 Connection Magnet
- Run the 20-20-20 Growth Loop
- Send 5–10 Connection DMs Daily
- Lock in Your 90-Day Growth Window
Step 1: Optimize Your Follow-Worthiness
Your profile is the first impression, and it needs to look like someone worth following.
Most people blow it here. They either clone big creators like Alex Hormozi, Dan Koe, or Cody Sanchez… Or worse, slap up a random photo, toss in a half-baked banner, and forget the bio entirely.
Here’s what actually wins:
🔁 A profile picture that’s recognizable and consistent
🧠 A banner that clearly communicates your value (personal photo or value prop both work)
✍️ A bio that tells people who you are + why they should follow you
Quick-check:
✅ Profile pic is clear and the same across platforms
✅ Banner states your value in 5 words or less
✅ Bio answers “who you are” + “why follow” in one read
Plenty of people go viral and get zero followers because their profile isn’t optimized. Optimize it first.
Step 2: Pin a 24/7 Connection Magnet
The pinned tweet is a growth shortcut — and almost no one uses it right.
When you’re starting out, pin a personal story that connects and converts.
Here are two hooks you can steal right now:
Hook 1: Before → After
10 years ago I was ____. Today I’m ____.
Example:
10 years ago, I was addicted to video games and alcohol. Today I run a 7-figure agency, spend time with my family, and I’m obsessed with financial freedom.
Hook 2: Who is [You]?
Who is Eric Melillo?
Be real. Be human. Tell people exactly why you’re worth following.
Pair your hook with a strong photo. Post it. Pin it. Let it work for you 24/7.
Step 3: Run the 20-20-20 Growth Loop
Here’s how you steal followers — ethically.
Make a list of 60 accounts:
- 20 with 100K+ followers
- 20 with 10K–50K followers
- 20 with under 10K followers
Then:
- Turn on notifications for the 100K+ group (only if they get strong engagement)
- Engage for 30–60 minutes a day
- Drop high-value comments the moment they post
Why this works: You’re surrounding yourself with creators ahead of you, at your level, and right behind you. That mix creates network momentum — and your impressions and followers will climb fast if you stay consistent.
⏱ Time block it:
Run this loop once daily in a single 30–60 min session.
Step 4: Send 5–10 Connection DMs Daily
DMs are magic fairy dust, and X makes starting them easy.
Send 5–10 genuine messages a day. Skip the AI spam. Skip the follow-begging. Be human.
Use this simple template:
“Hey [Name], just saw your post about [topic] — loved it. Keep posting bangers!”
✅ Builds authentic connection
✅ Gets you noticed
✅ Can lead to shares — or a follow-back
Mini-goal:
Aim for 3–5 new relationships per week.
Step 5: Lock in Your 90-Day Growth Window
Here’s the reality: growth takes time. The advantage? Time compounds if you stick with it.
“Most people overestimate what they can do in 1 year and underestimate what they can do in 10.” – Bill Gates
Once you start treating X as something you’re building over time, the process gets way easier.
Stay consistent. Keep applying these 5 steps. Let consistency do the heavy lifting.
Consistency rule:
Show up 5 days a week for 90 days before evaluating results.
Follow this system and you’ll build a real audience, not just vanity impressions.
This exact method took me from 0 to 17K followers without going viral, without paid ads, and without copying anyone’s style.
Slow growth.
Real influence.
Built over time.
🧭 If these 5 steps got you excited about building your audience, let’s put them to work for your business.
Book a quick strategy call and let’s design a system that turns your existing knowledge into income, together.
We’ll map out a step-by-step plan to grow your audience, lock in your monetization path, and finally build a business that frees you from the 9-to-5 grind.
