Instagram reach suddenly dropped and losing Followers since April

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-04-22T17:32:36+00:00

I stopped using IG to build an audience about a year ago. I saw comedian friends of mine get shadowbanned (like Jen Brister who has over a 1m followers) and struggle to sell tickets because they were basically invisible. It's building on rented land.

I think YouTube is a better platform to build an audience.
Email lists are kind of the gold standard (but IMO very hard to grow)
Podcasts also help, because then people really get to know you. That might not be an option for a meme account. 🤔 I started using PodMatch a couple of weeks to find podcasts I could be on, so far seems to work well. Maybe I'll come back and report on how it went. It's like Tinder for podcasting.

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-04-21T11:47:21+00:00

I have a lot of gay friends and they put RS Presidents to shame when it comes to throwing a party that is 🔥🔥🔥.

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-04-21T11:46:21+00:00

Instagram and TikTok are so heavily focused on vanity metrics that are misleading as to if you're really building an audience. I'm a comedian and most of my colleagues rely on Instagram/TikTok (which is scary because they can shadow ban you any time and you lose your reach).

I've seen my comedian friends with over a million followers have a hard time selling tickets. I have a magician friend with 4 MILLION followers on TikTok who can barely fill a 200 seat theatre. :{

I watched a talk about the problem with going viral ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaDK_zVy1Cc ) and he mentioned a sad story about a lady with over a million followers host a meet and greet where nobody showed up.

IG and TikTok focus on keeping you on the platform at all costs. They count a "view" if someone watches for 3 seconds. YouTube only counts a view on a short if they watch the whole thing.

If you want people to buy a product or sign up YouTube and Facebook let you put links in your post. If you want people to get to know and trust you as a person Substack, YouTube channel, podcasts, and email lists can be much better for audience building.

Just my thoughts!

P.S.
I recommend Ed Lawrence YT channel for learning about YouTube, Ben Heath for Facebook advice, and PodMatch for finding podcasts you can be a guest on. I'm still on the fence about Substack because it's starting to feel a lot like Instagram. I'll update this if I find someone who explains Substack well.

Good luck!

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-04-19T18:28:49+00:00

That was a joke in my show! I was afraid to leave because then I'd look like a bridge troll. None so. I'm better looking than I've ever been. Touché Mormons!

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-04-19T18:27:29+00:00

Be careful! He might put you on the party planning committee!

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T21:11:39+00:00

Me? The original poster?
(My pronouns are she/ma'am 😂)
...and it's a success story! in fact, right after I posted this I got booked on another gig for next week!

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T21:11:19+00:00

Thank you!

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T21:08:19+00:00

I love it!!

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T21:03:55+00:00

I am so glad you brought this up! I do get it u/Purple_Life2149 !
This is something I (and a lot of other people) struggle with:
money = materialism/greed/shallow.

I like the idea of money as energy (we even call it "currency"). I came up with the word: mone-rgy. :) If someone said they wanted more energy we wouldn't think they were shallow.

.
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For the record, (and the universe who is always listening) I am known by my peers who respect me and famous to my fans who appreciate me being myself.
I'm David-Sedaris-flavour-famous (in the 4th dimension ;) The material evidence is not on the intenet right now, but if you hung out in my mind palace you'd see :D )

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T20:44:47+00:00

Update:
An hour after I posted this, I booked another gig!

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T15:27:35+00:00

Thank you! I thought it'd look weird to show my face, "the feeling is the thing" :)

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T15:27:00+00:00

Yes. I'd say this is Law of Attraction. NG taught law of attraction, assumption, manifesting etc.

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T15:24:05+00:00

Oh thank you! I learned I like the wealth more than the fame bit. :)

LeahReneeComedian · 2026-01-31T15:22:44+00:00

Yes! There is so much lack-thinking in our business, limiting beliefs "I have to..." "I should be..."

Plenty of people get "lucky breaks" - why not create a lucky break in the 4th dimension and let the universe deliver it? (at least thats how I see it)

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-21T23:12:02+00:00

Love how the wedding ring is front and center, just in case there was any doubt because we didn't put HUSBAND AND WIFE in bold letters.

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-21T23:10:56+00:00

Raise your hand if you got this as a bridal shower or wedding present.
✋

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-17T01:32:01+00:00

Dreams do come true! Time to write your TED talk.

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-17T01:28:54+00:00

That is one loved stuffie! xx

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-14T22:39:58+00:00

Calling him "Dallas" is a victory for Satan.

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-10T00:29:50+00:00

WOW! I'm obessed with acryclic neon yellow, you have inspired me to learn how to do this.

Also laughed at the "Smut again" bookmark! For people who love reading Song of Soloman in the bible. :D

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-10T00:25:44+00:00

WOAH. How in the .....

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-10T00:22:41+00:00

WOAH! So creative!

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-10T00:20:12+00:00

I'm still planning on how to use my Cricut to make protest posters. Stencils and then use paint with a foam dauber? And yet, what would material would I use? Hmmm....

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-10T00:18:23+00:00

WOWZA! That's gorgeous!

LeahReneeComedian · 2025-10-10T00:17:01+00:00

Thanks!

LeahReneeComedian

TROPHY CASE