their small following may be because they just started and are building up their accounts so people are yet to know them. You know, it is typically at this stage that they work super hard and put themselves out there. You'll see them answering the questions of their curious followers with all honesty and transparency.
I think following is when they follow someone else and there are old accounts who still have a small number of following. Sorry to say this but I always have the impression that people like that are too strict or ambitious. If you have the money, you don't need to work super hard because you can just use it to promote your account and people will start following you as soon as possible. Not all are honest, no matter if they are still starting or are already established in the industry.
However as soon as they blow up and have sponsorship deals, and they start deliberately not answer the questions of their audience.
A lot of people notice this on some of them and it's sad and it's also annoying. The reason that they are giving is usually, unable to answer all the question as they are getting a million in one week or 10 days of time and with other reasons like, repeated or unable to filter the right one. I guess they deserved to get bashed and unfollowed now.