Ever wonder why some people effortlessly attract massive followings on social media while others struggle to gain traction?

It’s not just about stunning photos or viral content—there’s a psychology behind it.

People with a high follower count aren’t just lucky; they often display certain behaviors that draw people in and keep them coming back for more.

Curious if you’ve got what it takes to stand out in the crowded world of social media?

Let’s dive into nine key behaviors that successful influencers use to capture attention and build a loyal community, according to psychology.

1) They engage

Engagement isn’t just about responding to comments or messages.

It’s a strategy that successful social media influencers employ to build a relationship with their followers.

You’ll notice that influencers with high follower counts don’t just post content and disappear.

Instead, they take the time to engage with their audience, respond to comments, and even initiate conversations.

They make their followers feel seen and appreciated.

In many instances, this engagement extends beyond their posts.

They may hold live sessions, webinars, or Q&A sessions where they interact in real time with their audience.

They might actively participate in trending discussions or debates relevant to their niche.

This consistent engagement not only boosts their visibility on the platform but also makes followers feel more connected to them.

Over time, this fosters a sense of community and loyalty among their followers, which is crucial for sustaining high follower counts.

2) They are authentic

Being authentic on social media means being true to who you are and expressing your genuine self.

People with high follower counts understand the importance of authenticity and embody it in their online presence.

These influencers don’t put on a façade or try to be someone they’re not.

Instead, they share their real-life experiences, thoughts, and feelings with their followers.

They aren’t afraid to show their flaws or share their failures alongside their successes.

This authenticity resonates with their followers.

It makes them relatable and trustworthy, which is why people are more inclined to follow and engage with them.

This is tied to the concept of cognitive dissonance; people are more likely to trust and follow someone whose actions, words, and beliefs align, creating a harmonious image.

Authenticity also sets them apart from others in a sea of curated and often superficial social media personas.

It gives them a unique voice that attracts followers and keeps them engaged over time.

3) They take breaks

In a world where being constantly active on social media seems to be the norm, successful influencers with high follower counts do something unexpected – they take breaks.

While it may seem counterproductive to step away from the platform that is driving their success, these influencers understand the importance of balance and self-care.

Regularly disconnecting from social media allows them to recharge, gather new ideas, and avoid burnout.

It also provides an opportunity for them to live the experiences they share, making their content more genuine and relatable.

Interestingly, these breaks can even increase their appeal.

Their absence can create anticipation among followers, making their return and new content a much-awaited event.

4) They admit to their mistakes

Nobody’s perfect – and successful influencers with high follower counts are no exception.

They make mistakes and, importantly, they’re not afraid to admit them.

These influencers understand the importance of owning up to their mistakes, whether it’s:

• A factual error in a post
• A poorly worded comment
• A misjudged partnership

They don’t sweep them under the rug or make excuses.

Instead, they apologize sincerely, correct their errors, and learn from them.

This honesty earns them respect and trust from their followers.

It shows them that behind the polished photos and witty captions is a real person who is learning and growing just like them.

5) They show empathy

Empathy is key in building strong and lasting relationships, both in the real world and on social media.

Successful influencers with high follower counts understand this and make it a point to show empathy towards their followers.

These influencers don’t just view their followers as numbers on a screen.

They see them as real people with real emotions and experiences.

They acknowledge their followers’ feelings, show understanding, and offer comfort or encouragement when needed.

These influencers respond with kindness and compassion, whether it’s:

• A follower going through a tough time
• A global crisis affecting many
• Someone having a bad day

6) They share their journey

People with high follower counts on social media often share their journey with their audience.

This isn’t just about the glamorous highlights, but also the struggles, the failures, and the lessons learned along the way.

These people let their followers in on their journey, whether it’s:

• A fitness influencer sharing their workout struggles
• A beauty influencer talking about their skin issues
• A travel blogger discussing their travel mishaps

This transparency makes them relatable.

Their followers see that they are just like them – they have ups and downs, good days and bad days.

This helps to break down the barrier that often exists between influencers and their followers, leading to a stronger connection and increased engagement.

By sharing their journey, these influencers also inspire their followers.

They show them that success doesn’t come easy – it requires hard work, persistence, and resilience.

7) They keep things fun

Amidst the content creation, brand partnerships, and follower engagement, successful influencers with high follower counts remember to keep things fun.

After all, social media is meant to be entertaining!

These influencers inject a sense of light-heartedness and humor into their posts, stories, and interactions.

They might share funny anecdotes, create hilarious memes, or participate in trending challenges.

They don’t take themselves too seriously and are not afraid to laugh at themselves.

This approach keeps their content fresh and entertaining, making their followers look forward to their next post or interaction. 

8) They stay true to their values

In the world of social media, it can be easy to get swayed by trends, brand deals, or the desire to please every follower.

However, influencers with high follower counts don’t compromise their values for likes or popularity.

These influencers have a clear understanding of what they stand for and they stick to it, even when it’s not the most popular stance.

They might turn down lucrative deals that don’t align with their values or speak up on issues that are important to them, regardless of the potential backlash.

This might not always be easy or well-received, but it earns them the respect and loyalty of their followers.

It shows their followers that they are more than just a social media persona – they are individuals with integrity and principles.

9) They provide value

At the heart of every successful social media account with a high follower count is one crucial element – value.

These influencers understand that to attract and retain followers, they need to consistently provide something of value.

Value can come in many forms. It might be:

• Educational content that teaches followers something new
• Inspirational content that motivates them
• Entertaining content that brings a smile to their face

It could even be as simple as creating a supportive and engaging community where followers feel heard and appreciated.

Regardless of the form it takes, providing value is the most important behavior displayed by successful influencers.

It’s what keeps followers coming back for more and sharing their content with others.

Final thoughts

Building a large social media following isn’t just about clever captions or the right hashtags—it’s about embodying key behaviors that draw people in on a deeper level.

Whether you’re actively growing your presence or just curious about what makes certain profiles explode in popularity, these nine behaviors provide a blueprint for success.

If you want to go beyond just posting and truly connect with your audience, start integrating these psychological insights into your strategy.

You might be surprised at how quickly your follower count—and your impact—begins to grow.

After all, social media success is as much about human connection as it is about content creation.