table-of-content
- Why Most People Fail at Instagram Growth
- The Content-First Approach That Actually Works
- The Engagement Game Has Changed
- The Distribution Framework That Scales
- Taking Action: Your Next 30 Days
- The Truth About Long-Term Success
Why Most People Fail at Instagram Growth
I’ve been watching thousands of creators spin their wheels trying to grow on Instagram, and here’s what kills me: they’re all chasing the same outdated playbook. You know what I’m talking about - posting at the “perfect” time, using the same hashtags as everyone else, following random engagement groups. Stop it. That stuff worked in 2018, not now.
The real game is about attention arbitrage and providing massive value. Period.
The Content-First Approach That Actually Works
Listen, I’m going to tell you something that might hurt: your content probably isn’t good enough. And that’s okay - we can fix that. Here’s what you need to understand:
Quality Over Quantity (But Consistency Matters)
You don’t need to post 3 times a day. What you need is to post content that stops people in their tracks. I’m talking about content that makes someone think, “Holy shit, I need to save this.” That’s the benchmark.
Want to know how to create that kind of content? Check out our guide on how to design Instagram posts that stop the scroll.
The Value Stack Strategy
Here’s my framework for creating content that actually performs:
- Document, don’t create
- Share insights from your real experiences
- Solve specific problems for your audience
- Show your process, not just the results
The Engagement Game Has Changed
Everyone talks about engagement, but let me tell you what really drives it in 2024:
Stories Are Your Secret Weapon
You know what’s crazy? Most people still treat Stories like an afterthought. Meanwhile, the smartest creators I know are building their entire businesses through Stories. Why? Because Stories create intimacy at scale.
Learn more about maximizing your Story impact in our detailed guide on how to use Instagram highlights to showcase your best content.
The DM Strategy That Nobody Talks About
Here’s something that’s working right now that nobody wants to talk about: meaningful DM conversations. I’m not talking about spam. I’m talking about actually caring about your audience and having real conversations.
My process:
- Spend 30 minutes every day responding to DMs
- Ask questions that spark discussions
- Share exclusive insights with engaged followers
- Build genuine relationships
The Distribution Framework That Scales
Let me give you my current content distribution framework:
Primary Content Pillars:
- Educational content (40%)
- Behind-the-scenes (30%)
- Entertainment/Inspiration (20%)
- Personal brand building (10%)
Format Mix:
- Reels (50%)
- Carousel posts (30%)
- Single image posts (10%)
- Stories (daily)
- Lives (weekly)
Taking Action: Your Next 30 Days
Here’s what I want you to do right now:
Audit your last 30 posts. Be brutally honest - would YOU save these posts if they weren’t yours?
Create a content calendar focused on value, not vanity metrics:
- Monday: Educational content
- Wednesday: Behind-the-scenes
- Friday: Community engagement
- Daily: Stories that matter
Commit to engaging with your community for at least 45 minutes daily:
- 20 minutes: Responding to comments
- 15 minutes: DM conversations
- 10 minutes: Engaging with potential followers
The Truth About Long-Term Success
Listen, I’ve been in this game for a long time, and here’s what I know for sure: the people who win on Instagram are the ones who play the long game. They’re not looking for shortcuts or quick fixes. They’re building real relationships, creating genuine value, and staying consistent even when it feels like nobody’s watching.
You want to know the secret to Instagram success? It’s the same as success in any other area of life: put in the work, care about your audience more than anyone else does, and keep showing up, day after day.
Remember, everyone wants the results, but few are willing to do what it takes to get them. Are you?
This isn’t about follower count or likes. It’s about building something real. Something that lasts. Something that matters.
Now go create something worth following.