Case Study: Growing @arevamartin from 20K to 720K Followers in 4 Years with the Premier Growth Program

Client Overview

@arevamartin represents the multifaceted brand of Areva Martin—a distinguished civil rights lawyer, CNN legal analyst, TV and radio host, CEO of the Special Needs Network, and autism advocate. Through her Instagram, Areva aims to raise awareness on key social justice issues, share expert insights, and inspire positive change. With Build Your Socials’ Premier Growth Program, we worked closely with Areva to expand her follower base from 20,000 to over 720,000 in just four years, establishing her as a prominent voice on social media.

Initial Goals and Challenges

When @arevamartin joined the Premier Growth Program, her profile had a loyal following but limited reach. Our objectives for Areva were to:

  1. Expand Reach and Influence: Reach more followers interested in social justice, autism advocacy, and expert legal insights.
  2. Elevate Engagement: Boost engagement by connecting with individuals passionate about advocacy and education.
  3. Establish Authority: Strengthen her brand authority as a top legal expert and advocate.

Phase 1: Audience Analysis and Strategic Foundations (First 6 Months)

In the initial phase, we focused on building a strong foundation by analyzing her audience, refining content, and setting up targeted campaigns.

  1. Deep Audience Analysis: We started by analyzing @arevamartin’s existing followers to understand their demographics, interests, and behaviors. Using this data, we developed a lookalike audience targeting users who followed similar advocates, civil rights organizations, and educational platforms. This strategy helped us reach individuals who were likely to resonate with Areva’s message and engage with her posts.

  2. Content Strategy and Consistent Posting: A tailored content strategy was essential for connecting with followers. Areva’s content was categorized into key themes: civil rights, autism advocacy, legal insights, and inspirational messages. We helped establish a consistent posting schedule with specific posting times optimized for peak engagement, helping @arevamartin grow steadily while building a dedicated, engaged audience.

  3. Early Growth Ads: To give the profile an initial boost, we launched targeted ad campaigns aimed at users interested in social justice and legal news. These ads highlighted key posts and introduced Areva to a wider audience, driving quality followers and establishing early momentum.

Phase 2: Leveraging Press, Influencer Collaboration, and Content (Months 6–18)

With the foundational audience and posting strategy in place, our focus shifted to scaling Areva’s visibility and establishing her authority through partnerships and media.

  1. Press Features and Media Exposure: We secured several press articles in reputable outlets to establish Areva’s authority and reach a wider audience. Articles featured her work in civil rights and autism advocacy, increasing her profile visibility and credibility. For example, coverage in high-traffic publications emphasized her expert commentary and advocacy efforts, consistently attracting new followers.

  2. Strategic Influencer Partnerships: We arranged collaborations between @arevamartin and other prominent figures in advocacy, law, and social justice. By cross-promoting with influencers who aligned with her mission, we reached highly relevant audiences who engaged deeply with her content. These partnerships contributed significantly to organic growth and bolstered Areva’s influence in her niche.

  3. Data-Driven Content Adjustments: We continually monitored audience data to identify which posts received the highest engagement and best aligned with Areva’s followers’ interests. By optimizing her content to focus on high-performing topics such as autism advocacy and civil rights issues, we improved engagement rates and expanded her reach to more like-minded followers.

Phase 3: Scaling for Viral Impact and Long-Term Authority (Months 18–48)

By the second year, @arevamartin had established a solid following, and our focus was on maximizing viral reach and building long-term authority.

  1. Refined Ad Campaigns and Growth Tactics: We refined ad campaigns based on engagement data, focusing on impactful posts that resonated with Areva’s audience. This approach allowed us to extend her reach to larger audiences while maintaining quality engagement. Videos and posts related to her media appearances and advocacy efforts became key drivers for follower growth.

  2. Enhanced Media Exposure and Press Releases: We continued securing high-visibility media placements and press releases to enhance Areva’s credibility and brand recognition. These pieces solidified her standing as an authority on civil rights and autism advocacy, while also driving steady follower growth. The combination of press and social media made her content more visible, particularly among users interested in advocacy and expert commentary.

  3. Content with Viral Potential: Capitalizing on trending topics and current events, we worked with Areva to create content with viral potential, such as timely commentary on social justice issues and legal matters. Her expert insights on high-profile cases and news stories resonated widely, with some posts reaching hundreds of thousands of users. These efforts contributed to Areva’s reputation as a trusted voice and regularly brought in new, engaged followers.

Results and Key Takeaways

Over four years with the Premier Growth Program, @arevamartin achieved remarkable growth:

  • From 20K to 720K Followers: The account grew by over 700,000 followers, driven by targeted ads, influencer collaborations, and media exposure.
  • High Engagement Rates: With engagement rates consistently ranging from 5–10%, the account has a strong, active community that interacts regularly with Areva’s posts.
  • Established Brand Authority: Strategic press features, timely content, and influencer partnerships established Areva as a respected figure on Instagram in civil rights, legal commentary, and autism advocacy.

Summary

Through a mix of data-driven strategies, press coverage, and impactful collaborations, we transformed @arevamartin from a budding profile to an influential Instagram presence with a follower count of over 720,000. This case study highlights how consistent, focused efforts in content strategy, audience analysis, and cross-promotion can build long-term growth and solidify a brand’s place as an authority in its niche.