[FAQ]

I have an idea for a pretty niche Telegram channel focused on the local specialty coffee scene here in Manila. My problem isn’t the content, it’s that I have no idea how to find the right people for it.

On Instagram, you can use hashtags to get discovered. On Facebook, you can join groups. But Telegram feels like a closed box. You can’t just search for users interested in “specialty coffee.”

For those of you running niche channels, how did you find your initial, targeted audience? Did you pull them from other platforms, or are there ways to find them within Telegram itself? I’m trying to figure out a strategy before I launch.

[Jeff Bullas]

That’s a fair question. It seems counter-intuitive to look outside the platform you want to grow on.

The simple reason is that Telegram is not designed for discovery. Think of it like a private clubhouse. There’s no public square, no recommendation algorithm, and no hashtag system for strangers to stumble upon your channel. People can only find it if they already have the link.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Reddit are the opposite; they are designed as discovery engines. They are the public squares where you hand out the flyers for your clubhouse.

So, the strategy isn’t about promoting those other platforms. It’s about using their powerful, free discovery tools to find your specific audience and lead them back to the excellent, focused community you’re building on Telegram. It’s the most effective way to grow a targeted channel from scratch.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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