Intro

Not gonna lie, this one gets real. Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray go beyond the usual follower-count talk to break down what really matters when it comes to audience size—and what doesn’t. Social proof, ad credibility, platform strategies, and how to avoid looking like a ghost town brand all come into play. Whether you’re trying to grow a brand or just not embarrass yourself online, this one’s got some gems.

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Best Moments:

(00:40) The real reason Jay preps for Q4 months in advance—even if he procrastinates holiday shopping

(01:55) Why followers still matter when it comes to legitimacy and social proof

(02:54) Jay checks business credibility by LinkedIn followers, not websites

(03:49) YouTube Shorts outperforming subscriber-heavy accounts—and why that proves the algorithm has changed

(04:30) Why big brands run multiple burner accounts on social to maximize reach

(05:15) Running ads? People will click your profile—and your follower count influences their trust

(05:45) Followers unlock newsletter and broadcast features you can’t fake

(06:00) Set a baseline number to avoid looking sketchy—and stop chasing vanity metrics

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Check out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelson

Check Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

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Pre-order Jay Schwedelson’s new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research—let’s kick cancer’s butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206