From Zero to Viral: How to have Success in 2024

Connect, Engage, and Grow: Your Emotional Guide to Instagram Success in 2024

Instagram has changed significantly over the past year, rendering many old strategies ineffective. Despite consistent posting, many users see no results, following outdated advice. However, some individuals, like my client Isabella, have achieved remarkable growth, gaining 100,000 followers in just 30 days by posting quality content.

What sets apart those who rapidly gain followers from those who don’t? Welcome to the new Instagram 2024. In this guide, I’ll explain step-by-step how to grow your Instagram in 2024 using proven methodologies that I’ve applied successfully.

This is a comprehensive A to Z guide on everything you need to know to go viral and gain hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram in 2024. This blog is going to be ten times better than any course you’ve purchased on growing your social media presence. Why? Because I’ve analyzed hundreds of accounts and helped countless individuals achieve success.

What you’re seeking isn’t theory, but results, and that’s exactly what I’m offering in this blog. I will explain how Instagram works, how its algorithm operates, how to master it, how to generate winning ideas for your niche, and how to create a viral script that garners 100,000 views.

Right now, grab a notebook and start taking notes. It’s likely you’ll need to read this blog multiple times to fully understand and internalize the information, as it includes both theoretical and practical elements.

We’ll also discuss publication strategies: how many videos to post per week, in what formats, and the importance of hashtags, likes, and comments. Additionally, we’ll analyze your Instagram account to determine if it’s performing well. At the end, I’ll offer a special gift that might be a secret hack for creating viral content on social media, but you’ll only find out if you read to the end.

If you wanted to be good at playing the piano, you would need to understand exactly why pressing certain keys in a specific order produces a harmonious melody.

Similarly, if you want to be successful on Instagram and achieve millions of views and followers, you need to understand what a social network is. A social network is where we share the content of our physical lives in a digital format, interacting with others.

We post photos and videos for others to see, but we only use social networks during very specific moments. It’s not when we’re exercising, having fun, or enjoying good times with others. We turn to social networks during idle moments when we’re not doing anything—when we’re in the bathroom, waiting for the bus, or waiting for the soup to cook. These are the dead moments of the day when we’re not receiving dopamine.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. Our brains are used to seeking dopamine outside social media, but when we don’t find it, we turn to our phones. Whether it’s snooping on a friend, watching a funny video, or following our favorite influencer, social media becomes our go-to for that dopamine hit.

This understanding is crucial for content creators. Successful content on Instagram isn’t just about providing value; it’s about generating dopamine. If you’re waiting for your pasta to cook, you don’t want to be bored; you want entertainment. If your content isn’t going viral, it’s because it’s not generating enough dopamine compared to others. Instagram is a dopamine generator in your pocket. As a content creator, your job is to produce content that generates more dopamine than your competition.

Understanding this is key to positioning your content correctly on social media.

Instagram, like any company, aims to generate as much revenue as possible. Every aspect of Instagram is designed with this goal in mind.

Therefore, Instagram will recommend and promote actions and videos that will make it the most money. But how does Instagram make money? When you use Instagram, you don’t have to enter your credit card information to access it. Even though it provides you with entertaining content that you enjoy and that generates dopamine, it’s free.

When you register on Instagram, you agree to certain policies that allow your behavior on the platform to be tracked. This tracking creates an anonymous virtual avatar that records your actions on the platform—what you like, what you don’t like, what you comment on, and how long you watch different types of videos. Based on this behavior, Instagram shows you ads that are likely to interest you, which you may end up purchasing. Essentially, you are trading your behavioral data for free use of the platform, and Instagram makes money from the companies that advertise on it.

But how does Instagram maximize its earnings? With more advertisers or fewer? With more people willing to spend money to showcase their products or fewer? Instagram’s goal is to attract more advertisers to spend their money on its platform.

However, advertisers will only invest more money if there are more people to show their ads to. Therefore, Instagram’s strategy for increasing revenue each month and each year involves two main approaches: attracting more users to the platform and ensuring that users spend more time on it. The more time users spend on the platform, the more swipes they make, leading to more ad impressions and more advertising opportunities. Instagram is a company with the primary objective of making money. Hence, the content that Instagram will recommend is the content that keeps people coming back to the platform and staying longer on it.

Let’s explore. What types of content are there on Instagram? There are three main types: Reel format, Post format (which can also be Carousel format), and Stories format. Essentially, in the Instagram feed, you can share Reels or Posts (which can be single images or Carousels) to show content to both your followers and non-followers. For your followers, Stories appear in their feeds.

You might already know this, but what you might not know is the purpose of each format. Many people ask me, “Is it better to post a Reel or a Post?” I always give the same answer: if you’re asking this, you don’t understand the purpose of each format.

Let’s go back to 2019, when Instagram introduced Reels to compete with TikTok. Why did Instagram do this? Because TikTok was making many users go viral and rapidly gain followers, similar to what Instagram used to do years ago. Instagram replicated this because the only way to post on Instagram at that time was through Posts, which weren’t being shown to a broader audience.

Therefore, the primary goal of Reels is to reach people who don’t follow you. If the Reel is good, it can reach millions of non-followers. That’s why the content you create for Reels should always be targeted at people who don’t follow you. Don’t talk about your community or things known only to your followers because the majority of the viewers, if the video is good, will be people who don’t know you.

Which can also be in Carousel format, as you see on my account. These posts are designed to be shown to your existing followers, your community. This content, which can be a single photo or preferably a Carousel, should display aspects of your life and community. Carousels are particularly effective because they engage your followers more deeply. This content is primarily shown to your existing followers, making them more loyal and engaged with your brand. Share your lifestyle, client stories, and relevant information for your current community, those who have already decided to follow you.

Are only visible to your current followers. People who watch your Stories aren’t looking for the same content they see in the feed, Reels, or Posts. They want to see the behind-the-scenes aspect of the person they follow. They want to know about your daily life and get to know you on a more personal level, beyond a highly edited video in a Reel. Therefore, the content you should share in your Stories needs to be more intimate and personal. This aligns with the general purpose of social media: connecting on a deeper level.

People watch your Instagram Stories to see you in a more personal light. They aren’t seeking educational content or anything too polished; they want to see the human side of the person they follow. If your Stories aren’t getting many views, it’s likely because you’re not providing the personal connection they crave. They don’t want to be bored or educated in Stories; they want to see the real you.

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So, should you post a Reel, a Carousel, or a Photo?

You should do all of these, but in varying quantities depending on your goals. If your aim is to grow your follower base rapidly, you should post more Reels since they are designed to reach people who don’t know you yet. However, if your main objective is to engage and retain your current community, you should reduce the number of Reels and increase the number of Posts, Carousels, and Stories. Each type of content on Instagram is created for a specific purpose; use each tool appropriately.

Avoid making Reels that address your existing followers directly or announce something only they would understand, because those who already follow you might not even see that Reel.

To explain this, the first thing you need to understand is that people buy things based on how they will feel and what they will gain from the purchase. Therefore, I don’t buy a watch, bracelet, or t-shirt just for the sake of owning these items. I spend money for the perceived feeling I will have when I possess these items. I don’t buy a kiwi just for the fruit itself; I buy it because I’m hungry. I don’t pay $100 for the massage itself; I pay for how I will feel after—more relax, confident, and happy.

Everything. When a person is addressing your problem, it’s much easier to connect emotionally with them. For example, if I’m selling teeth whitening products, it’s much more effective if a dentist (a personal brand) explains how to whiten teeth and uses the product themselves. It’s much easier for me to relate to another human being and establish an emotional connection.

Can viral content be created on social media without showing your face or having a personal brand?

Yes, I have clients without personal brands who also earn a lot of money, and that’s perfectly fine. It will be more challenging and require more effort, but it’s not impossible.

Read my last Guide about Personal Branding.

To understand how to create something, you need to understand its components. A viral video consists of two main parts: the winning idea and the video’s structure.

The winning idea is the core message you want to convey. It’s the foundation and essence of the video.
What do you want to say? How do you want to say it? What format will you use? What is the topic? How do you envision the final video?

The way you imagine and develop this winning idea will shape the rest of the video. You’ll decide where to film it, what to say, and how to edit it based on this core idea.

Once you have the winning idea, the next step is to generate the video’s structure. What will you say at the beginning, middle, and end of the video? What are the key points? Why are you saying these specific words, and what conclusion do you want the video to reach? For videos to work and go viral, they need to be well-prepared.

Can you make viral videos without preparation? Of course, it’s possible—I’ve done it myself. But having control over your words, the filming process, and the video structure significantly increases the chances of it going viral.
It’s like going to the gym: you can’t just train randomly every day based on how you feel. You need a workout plan and a diet routine to stay in shape. Similarly, you can’t just record whatever comes to mind without a plan, script, or clear idea.

To achieve significant results, you need to plan your actions methodically. Having a structured plan and a clear objective is crucial for creating effective videos.

Therefore, to create a viral video, you first need a winning idea, which is one of the most important elements, and then follow a structured, viral video format.

How do you create a viral video idea? There are many options, and it depends on your niche. One way is to share interesting facts related to your field and the value you provide.

For example, in the fitness sector, you might talk about the importance of eating carbohydrates at night for better rest and recovery. This could be controversial because many people believe that eating carbs at night is bad. Explaining this can spark interest and make the video go viral.If you’re in the psychology field, you might explain an interesting method for overcoming grief, such as expressing gratitude to the person who passed away for the positive impact they had on your life. This is just an example. If you’re a farmer, you could make videos explaining how to plant tomato seeds in your backyard. The key is to take curious aspects of your field and explain them.

Another way to come up with winning video ideas is to draw inspiration from others. There are two approaches to this. You can look at people in your sector who do the same work as you.

One of my favorite methods is to find inspiration from different niches. Take a winning idea from another field, language, or country and adapt it to what you do and teach.

A winning video idea alone isn’t enough to create a successful video. You need to draft the content and have a winning structure—a viral content structure. What does a viral structure look like? It consists of three parts: the hook, the content, and the call to action.

The hook is what you say at the beginning of a video to grab people’s attention. This is crucial because if your hook is weak, no one will stay to watch the rest of the video. Therefore, you must know how to capture people’s attention in those first few seconds to ensure they watch the entire video.

We scroll through videos on Instagram very quickly, which is why creating a strong hook is so important—a hook that makes people stop and listen. If they don’t stop to listen, you’re completely out of luck. It doesn’t matter if your video contains the cure for cancer or the magic formula for weight loss; if you don’t make people stop and listen at the beginning, no one will reach the end to hear it.

Once you have a stimulating hook that grabs attention, the next part is the content of the video itself. This is where you deliver your message, always focusing on stimulating dopamine. You need to generate enough dopamine to make people want to keep watching your content. If you don’t, they’ll simply move on to other content that does provide that stimulation. Remember, people go on Instagram to pass the time and receive the stimuli they don’t get elsewhere.

Next comes the CTA, or call to action. Once you’ve managed to hold people’s attention for a significant period—typically between 1 to 4 seconds for the hook, 40 to 45 seconds for the content, and about 10 seconds for the CTA—you need to prompt them to take an action to achieve something. For example, “Follow me if you want to lose weight in 3 months before summer.” “Send me the word “Idea” if you want to know how to get over your ex.”Leave a comment with any questions you have about fixing your Toyota”. “Comment if you want me to make a video about the new Tesla Cybertruck.”

In the CTA, you’re instructing them to take a specific action to receive something from you or to achieve a desired outcome.

Formats for creating viral content on Instagram in 2024 include various styles to suit different niches and purposes.

Let’s start with the “Talking to Camera” format, which involves simply speaking to the camera. This format is highly recommended for most accounts because it effectively conveys ideas and works well across almost all niches. It’s a versatile format that requires only a mobile phone or camera, a tripod, and a nice location with good lighting.

Next is the “Selfie” format. This requires even less equipment, as you can film it while walking down the street using just a mobile phone. This format is ideal for more personal and less polished content.

Another format is the “Vlog” style. This involves narrating your day, starting with phrases like “Join me at work” or “Come with me to the gym.” It allows you to explain your activities in a personal way, helping your audience get to know you better. This format is perfect for working in various locations, showing movement and transitions, and creating a deeper connection with your audience. For higher quality content, you’ll need a microphone.

Overcoming camera shyness is crucial for creating engaging content. Start by practicing in a comfortable environment—record short videos without the intention of posting them. Gradually increase your exposure by sharing these videos with close friends for feedback. Remember, confidence comes with practice. Focus on your message rather than how you look. Prepare a script to keep your thoughts organized and practice speaking clearly and naturally. Additionally, try to relax and be yourself; authenticity resonates with viewers. With time and practice, your fear of the camera will diminish, allowing you to create compelling content with ease.

What do you need to start recording content for Instagram?

The first and most important thing, which many people forget, is having something interesting to say—something you want to share with others and, most importantly, something others want to hear. If you’re an expert in a particular field and you’re building your personal brand on Instagram, it’s because you have valuable insights to share, so I assume you already have this covered. Secondly, you need a means to record and publish your content. The simplest tool is a mobile phone. While a tripod or lighting can enhance your videos, they are not essential to get started.

Do you already know how to generate ideas, create a script, choose formats, record yourself, and publish content? How many videos should you post, and at what times? The reality is that these details don’t matter. It’s irrelevant when you post or how many videos you upload. The only thing that matters is that the content is good and keeps people watching for as long as possible.

If I can give you a recommendation or an estimate, but don’t focus on this because it’s not crucial: a typical frequency for someone looking to grow on Instagram is between 2 to 5 Reels per week. Additionally, I suggest compiling highlights every 15 days or monthly, or whenever something significant happens, and posting a Carousel with these highlights. Post 2 to 5 Reels weekly, a Carousel every 15 days, and daily or almost daily Carousels sharing interesting facts about yourself, your profession, and what you do.

Do these matter for growing on Instagram? Let’s recap what I mentioned earlier. Instagram is a business, and its goal is to make money. It makes money by displaying ads. The more ads it shows, the more money it earns. Instagram increases ad placements by attracting more users to its platform and keeping them engaged for longer periods. The content that gets the most likes or keeps people staring at their phones for minutes is what matters. Therefore, never focus on hashtags, likes, or comments because they are absolutely useless. They are the least important factors.

How do you know if all of this is working? The key metric to watch is the engagement rate of your Reels. A good benchmark is if your Reels are getting views that are at least 30% of your follower count. If you achieve this, it means you’re on the right track. If your Reels consistently get less than this, it indicates that something is off and you may need to adjust your strategy. Continuously monitor your analytics to understand what resonates with your audience and refine your content accordingly to improve your performance.

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In conclusion, growing your Instagram following in 2024 requires a strategic approach that focuses on creating engaging and stimulating content. Start by understanding the platform’s dynamics and the importance of generating dopamine to keep your audience hooked. Develop winning ideas tailored to your niche, and structure your videos with a compelling hook, valuable content, and a clear call to action.

Remember, the key to success lies in consistency and quality. Post 2 to 5 Reels weekly, utilize Carousels to share highlights and personal insights, and ensure your Stories offer a closer, more authentic connection with your followers. Don’t get bogged down by likes, comments, or hashtags; instead, focus on delivering content that captivates your audience.

Monitor your performance closely. If your Reels achieve views equal to at least 30% of your follower count, you’re on the right path. If not, it’s time to reassess and tweak your strategy. Embrace the power of personal branding to build trust and relatability, and don’t let camera shyness hold you back—practice makes perfect.

Take these insights and start transforming your Instagram presence today. With dedication and the right tactics, you’ll see your follower count soar and your influence grow. Now, go create content that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact.