Level One: Zero to 1,000 Followers

This initial phase focuses on laying the groundwork for audience growth. It involves three key steps:

• Choose One Platform: Select one platform to focus on initially. Prioritize platforms where you can start creating content quickly and improve rapidly. The source recommends LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) due to their strong organic reach and text-based content. LinkedIn is presented as a good starting point due to its strong organic reach.

• Select One Topic: It is essential to become known for one specific thing. Use the "icky guy" exercise to find the intersection of your skills, passions, the needs of the world, and what you can get paid for. Choose a narrow topic that you can dominate but are also passionate about. Your content should revolve around a core idea, ideally one word that you want to own in the minds of your audience.

• Succeed Without a Budget:

• Find Role Models: Imitate successful creators on your chosen platform and learn from them. The source suggests using their social channels as a model.

• Establish a Posting Cadence: Consistency is key, the more you post the faster you will improve. The source recommends posting on LinkedIn 7 days a week at 8:07 a.m. EST, and on X twice a day, at 8:11 a.m. EST and 8:07 p.m. EST.

• Overcome Limiting Beliefs: Address any self-doubt that may hinder your progress.

Level Two: 1,000 to 10,000 Followers

Once you have reached the first 1,000 followers, you can accelerate your growth using the following strategies:

• Develop Content Templates: Refine your topics into templates to drive engagement. Each platform has its own format essentials. For example:

  • LinkedIn: Use carousels, images, and long-form text. Avoid polls and videos.

  • X: Post two tweets per day and four long-form thread posts per week.

  • Instagram: Use a variety of content, such as talking-head reels, animated reels, and carousels.

  • Master platform-specific nuances. The universal principles of great content include:

    • Scroll-stopping hooks

    • Value-packed posts

    • Engagement from other creators

  • Focus on crafting captivating hooks, as they account for 80% of the success of your content.

• Optimize Your Profile: Your profile is the front door to your social media presence. Optimize your profile to increase your visit-to-follower ratio.

  • LinkedIn: Update your tagline, cover photo, and featured section and add a call to action button.

  • X: Optimize your description, cover photo, and website link. Pin your best-performing post.

  • Instagram: Pin your top posts, optimize your bio, add a CTA link to your newsletter.

  • On every platform, use a great headshot.

• Make Social Media Truly Social: Engage with other creators, respond to comments, and create a community.

  • Connect with peers and share insights in a group chat like WhatsApp.

  • Schedule time to respond to your audience.

• Establish an Email List: Use a platform like ConvertKit to create a landing page and start converting followers to your email list. This list is a direct line to your audience that you own and is where you can offer the greatest value to them.

Level Three: 10,000 to 100,000 Followers

This stage is about scaling your efforts and leveraging your existing audience:

• Monetize Your Audience: Once you approach 50,000 followers, begin to generate revenue through workshops or discounted services for your email list. This will help you invest in tools and your team.

• Increase Leverage: Avoid burnout by creating a team to assist with your content creation, starting with a social media manager, video editor, or designer, depending on the platform.

• Utilize Tools: Use tools to discover content ideas, schedule posts, and generate original assets. Some example tools include:

  • Taplio for LinkedIn analytics.

  • Hypefury for scheduling X content.

  • Twex for content inspiration on X.

  • Figma, After Effects, and Premier Pro for Instagram.

The source explains that consistency, optimization, and engagement are essential for success. The best platform to use to grow from zero to 100K is LinkedIn because it's tech and business-focused.