How Sharing Fail Stories Can Get You More Followers
Ever scroll past a post where someone’s spilling their guts about a big failure — and you can’t look away?
Yeah. That’s no accident.
At Multipost Digital, we manage accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers, and guess what? Some of the most viral, high-engagement posts we see aren’t the wins — they’re the wipeouts.
Why? Because people don’t just want shiny success. They want real.
Today, we’re breaking down exactly why sharing your fail stories can blow up your following, how to do it right, and how to turn even your messiest moments into magnetic content.
Why Fail Stories Grab Attention (When Wins Don’t)
Here’s the raw truth:
When all you share are wins — people stop caring.
It’s the influencer with the perfect beach body, perfect life, perfect everything — and you scroll right past.
But when someone opens up and says, “Hey, I screwed up, and here’s what happened” — you stop.
Why?
We connect through struggle, not perfection.
We relate to failure.
We want to see how people bounce back.
Your audience wants authenticity, not a highlight reel. Fail posts break the perfection bubble — and that’s why they hit.
The Secret Psychology Behind Fail Posts
There’s an actual science term for this: the Pratfall Effect.
It means people like you more when you’re generally good at something — but show a flaw or mistake.
Why?
You feel human.
You lower the walls.
You invite empathy.
When you only show polished wins, people put you on a pedestal — but they don’t connect.
When you show struggles, they say, “Oh, they’re like me.”
And that emotional connection is what drives follows, likes, shares, and comments.
Failures Make You Sticky (and Shareable)
Want people to share your post, DM it to a friend, or tag someone in the comments?
Make them feel something.
Fails deliver:
Surprise (“Whoa, didn’t see that coming”)
Emotion (“I’ve been there”)
Value (“I can learn from this”)
That combo is engagement rocket fuel.
Want Multipost Digital to craft your content to tap into these emotions without oversharing or coming off sloppy? That’s what we do. Reach out today and let us help you explode your brand presence.
What Kinds of Fail Stories Actually Work?
Let’s be real — not every fail is worth sharing.
Here’s what works:
A business you started that flopped.
A product you launched that tanked.
A time you made a public mistake.
A campaign that wasted money.
A dream you chased that didn’t pan out.
And most important:
What you learned.
The lesson is the magic. It’s what makes people respect you, not pity you.
How to Write a Fail Story That Grabs
Here’s the flow we use for clients at Multipost Digital:
Hook them fast.
Start with a punchy first line. Example: “I lost $10,000 in one week doing this mistake.”Tell the story, simply.
Where were you? What happened? Don’t sugarcoat — be real.Describe the moment it hit you.
What was the low point? What did it feel like?Share the lesson.
How did you turn it around, or what would you do differently?Invite connection.
Ask: “Ever had something like this happen? Tell me below.”
Why Fail Posts Drive More Comments
Wins are cool — but they don’t invite conversation.
Fails? They open the door.
People want to share their own stories.
They’ll jump into your comments.
They’ll tag friends who’ve been there.
They’ll DM you their own fails.
That kind of raw, two-way conversation doesn’t just boost the algorithm — it builds a loyal, invested community.
How Often Should You Share Fail Posts?
Balance is key.
You don’t want to be the “disaster brand” — but you also don’t want to be too polished.
Here’s a simple rule:
For every 5-7 posts, make 1 a fail story.
Mix it in with wins, tips, behind-the-scenes, and educational posts.
This keeps your feed fresh, relatable, and sticky.
Want Multipost Digital to map out your perfect posting calendar, mixing fail stories with viral content? That’s our jam. Let’s connect and make it happen.
How Fail Stories Boost the Algorithm
Let’s get nerdy for a second.
Social media algorithms reward:
Engagement
Comments
Shares
Saves
A juicy, well-told fail post hits all four.
People comment.
They share it.
They save it to re-read.
They message you.
That signals to the platform: “This post matters. Show it to more people.”
That’s how you get organic reach without paid ads.
Big Mistakes to Avoid
There’s a right and wrong way to share fails.
Avoid:
Blaming others.
Playing victim.
Sharing something too raw or personal without purpose.
Posting fail after fail with no progress.
People want vulnerability, not drama.
Focus on being real but constructive. Show the struggle, but also show the growth.
Bonus Tip: Use Failures as Micro-Stories
Not every fail needs a full post.
You can sprinkle fail moments into:
Captions.
Instagram Stories.
LinkedIn posts.
TikTok videos.
Twitter threads.
Even small “I messed up” moments humanize your brand.
Why Brands Win Big by Sharing Fails
The old-school idea was that brands had to be buttoned-up, professional, no mistakes.
That’s dead.
Today, the biggest brands in the world are:
Funny.
Relatable.
Honest.
They roast themselves. They own their mistakes. They connect.
When you embrace that, you don’t just get followers — you get fans.
Final Words: Fail Forward, Grow Faster
Your failures are not just setbacks.
They are content gold.
They’re what make you:
Relatable.
Memorable.
Shareable.
Trustworthy.
And trust us — people follow who they trust.
So don’t hide your fails. Harness them. Use them to pull people in, open conversations, and show the human behind the brand.
Multipost Digital specializes in crafting content strategies that balance wins, fails, and everything in between — helping brands scale to hundreds of thousands of followers with real, magnetic engagement. Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Let’s make your brand impossible to ignore. Reach out now.
