The phrase "early followers" refers to the people who begin following or supporting a person, idea, or movement at its early stages or before it becomes popular. Full definition
Early followers who hoped for a faster, cheaper way to pay for things are looking elsewhere. (getrevue.co)
It means so much and you were one of my very earliest followers! (inhonorofdesign.com)
Dr. Südhof's grandparents had been early followers for Rudolf Steiner's teaching, and worked for Waldorf schools before Hitler assumed power and banned the anthrophosophical movement. (whywaldorfeducationworks.org)