David Attenborough Reached One Million Instagram Followers Faster Than Anyone, Ever.
4 HOURS AND 44 MINUTES, FOR THOSE KEEPING SCORE
He did it by posting a simple video, and the Internet blew up. That video, as of this writing, has 17.5 million views and his account has crossed 5 million followers.
The massive popularity didn't come from a growth hacking strategy or a big media budget. It was a testament to a lifetime of incredible achievements, and his dedication to climate science at a time when it's never been more critical.
As any seasoned social media professional can tell you, much of an account's growth does not come from its activity on that channel, but it is the result of the overall popularity and reputation of that person or brand. The best that the social media team can do is give people something to get excited about and a reason to tell their friends, which in this case was simply the legend that is Sir David Attenborough speaking directly to his adoring fans.
Worth noting: Attenborough is in his 90s, and the record that he broke was held by Jennifer Aniston who has crossed her 50-year mark. Perhaps pull that little anecdote out the next time someone suggests that social media is just for people under 30, or that their customer base doesn't use tools like Instagram.
Written by Conner Galway, Junction Consulting