From Novice to Expert: 7-Step Guide to Social Media Mastery

"They say anyone can grow on social media, but I think it's rigid."

This is often the first thing I hear creators say when they first start their creator journey. In fact, I said the same thing.

I remember the day I decided I was going to be a professional Music.ly influencer. For those of you who aren't aware, that's what TikTok used to be called.

I spent the rest of that week watching videos and reading articles on all things social media growth. By the end of it, I thought I was the sh*t. But guess what? I was doomed to fail from the beginning.

Why?

It is rigged! Rigged against anyone who doesn't know how to play the game!

Your Way Won't Work:

Picture this: Social media is like the cool kid's table in high school. You know you should be there, rubbing shoulders with the influencers who seem to have it all.

But despite your efforts, you're still sitting at the cafeteria's back corner wondering why the popularity isn't rubbing off on you.

This is what it's like to be a creator trying to grow on social media. You know it's important, but you don't know how to use it.

Most creators are using the same old social media strategies as everyone else and getting average results.

You're posting regularly using proper hashtags, trying your best to make it engaging, but you're getting no traction.

Let me say this loud and clear:

Content alone won't lead to growth! Growing on social media is just like building a business. You need to have a strategy behind everything you do.

Believe me, I've heard it all:

• "That seems like a lot of work."
• "I'm not a people person."
• "I can do it by myself."
• "Social media is just for memes."
• "I'm not an expert."
• "I should focus on my work instead."
• "I'm not good enough."
• "I don't have the time."

Excuse my French, but this is all "baloney," excuses holding you back from achieving your dream life!

I won't lie to you, this isn't easy, but I promise you are only a few hard decisions away from success!

You Need Eyeballs:

The whole point of growing on social media is to get your work seen.

Here's the cold, harsh reality: you can't achieve creative freedom without an audience.

FULL STOP!

No matter how great your brand is, how specific your audience is, or how amazing and talented you are, if you don't have enough people visiting, you won't succeed.

In the past, having lots of workers meant more money.

But now, in our connected world, attention is what matters.

Why do you think Snoop Dogg can be a cooking show host, narrate a nature program, and be in the WWE Hall of Fame?

People who grab the most attention, like social media influencers, can not only make a ton of money but also make money doing ANYTHING!

That, my friends, is all you need to achieve creative freedom!

Why Use Social Media?

Back in the past, only a select few people had the opportunity to build enough wealth to have a lot of employees.

You either had to get very lucky or just know the right people.

But nowadays, everyone on the planet can build an audience from the comfort of their own home.

Most don't realize how big of an opportunity this truly is because they're too busy cringing at my old TikToks.

But put simply, for the first time in history, EVERYONE can make money doing ANYTHING!

IF… they know how to play the social media attention game!

However, most people don't know the first thing when it comes to social media growth. I know I didn't, even when I thought I did.

So, I'm going to break it down as simply as I possibly can:

Here we GOOOOO!

Social Media Fundamentals:

1. Choosing Your Arena:

Like choosing the perfect outfit for your date, you should choose the platform that best fits the type of content you create.

To succeed, you've got to go where the attention flows naturally. Think of social media like a force; by showing your work on a grand stage, you will pull people in.

Once you've hooked them, you can lead them to platforms you manage, like a newsletter or website!

You've got a range of options:

• Quora
• TikTok
• Reddit
• Medium
• LinkedIn
• Twitter (X)
• Instagram/Threads

The best choice is the one that you'll find most enjoyable.

Social media success works like compound interest; the more you put in, the more you'll get out. The key is to establish yourself as an expert in one area and then expand from there.

Pro Tip: Pick a platform where it's easy to get feedback and you can post regularly.

Most people don't know this, but before coming to X, I started on YouTube because I love filmmaking. But the effort-to-reward ratio was really low. It would take me two weeks to make a video, and I didn't even know if people would like it. But on X, I can instantly put it out there and get instant feedback!

2. Deciphering the Algorithm:

Let's make it simple: No matter where you're posting, growing your audience follows the same basic rules.

There's no magic trick to instantly grab attention. Many creators are playing cat-and-mouse with algorithms that keep changing. What you really need to know is what the platform likes.

Basically, all platforms want users to stick around.

For example, on YouTube, if people watch your videos for a long time, it keeps them on YouTube, which makes the platform more money. So, they'll show your content more because it's what people enjoy.

Instead of losing sleep over algorithms like everyone else, focus on your audience and the kind of people you want to attract.

3. One-of-a-kind profile:

Alright, once you've got a handle on your audience and chosen your platform, it's time to optimize your profile.

Think of it like a storefront on a street.

You want to optimize it to attract people to come in and check out your content.

Every detail on your profile should keep them interested and wanting more.

It's way simpler than most realize:

Use a clean, professional profile picture: Put your phone on portrait mode, stand in front of a window, and smile. It baffles me how many people ignore this step and just use a random grainy picture. Trust me, this will instantly make you stand out!

Choose a banner that reflects your brand's style: Go to Canva, type in "(Your platform) Banner," and find a template that fits the feeling you want your brand to give off.

Tip: Simplicity is key here. Keep it clean, don't use a lot of text, and don't include anything that is already in your bio.

Write a bio: So many people overcomplicate this. After studying hundreds of bios and changing mine just as many times, all you need is to answer at least two of these questions. If you can fit all, even better:

• Transformation: Tell us your story, where were you, and where are you now?
• What do you do?
• What do you post about? Give your three-pillar topics
• Why should I pay attention to you? This could include your expertise or any achievements that lend you credibility.

I promise you, that if you do this, you will already be ahead of 90% of creators out there!

4. Engage:

Think of it like this: Just hanging out at the party won't get you noticed. You've gotta mingle, chat, and maybe even dance a little.

I've seen creators proudly wear the 'artist' badge but forget to actually hang out with fellow artists. Then they wonder why they're surrounded by the wrong crowd.

If you want to turn your passion into a paycheck, dive headfirst into a community that vibes with what you love.

Every day, dedicate 30 minutes to engaging with others.

Comment on posts from small, medium, and large accounts. This strategy will get you exposure from large accounts, reach from medium accounts, and connections from small accounts.

By actively engaging like this, you're not just growing your network, you're also building your reputation as someone who's seriously plugged into their community.

5. Building Your Tribe:

This is one of the most overlooked aspects that many creatives fail to grasp, and it often holds them back from growing.

You can't do it all alone. Many creators want to be lone wolves, figuring everything out by themselves. While it's not impossible, it's definitely not the most efficient approach.

Too many people think that content is all that matters, when in reality, it's about connecting with others.

Every day, try to reach out to three to five people you'd like to connect with. You'd be surprised at how much others can help you on your journey.

Additionally, consider starting an engagement group with friends where you all like, comment, and share each other's posts.

This not only helps get more eyes on your work but also allows you to leverage each other's audiences and grow together. Remember, collaboration can be a powerful tool for success.

6. Content that Attracts

Even though it's not everything, content still matters.

There are 4 types of content every creator should be using regularly

The 4 E’s

• Engaging: Questions, testimonials, giveaways, offers.
• Educational: How-tos, lists, tools, resources step-by-step, point A to point B.
• Entertainment: Personal stories, relatable content, memes jokes.
• Empowering: Inspirational quotes, motivation, words of wisdom, encouragement

To build your brand on social media, you need a mix of all 4.

Tip: Ask yourself: what would I have wanted to see or hear during my journey?

By balancing these types of content, you'll create a strong and engaging brand presence.

7. Consistency

Above all, consistency is key!

No matter how great your content is or how many connections you have, it won't matter if you don't show up when you promised to.

Many people expect instant results, but success often takes time—maybe even years.

It's tough to stay patient and work hard without seeing immediate outcomes. But consider the alternative: looking back at your anti-vision.

Stay committed to showing up consistently, and nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.

Conclusion:

Think about the amazing things that can happen when you grow on social media.

It's not just about getting more followers or likes. It's about opening up a whole new world of opportunities.

Imagine being able to turn your hobby into a job, where you get to share your thoughts and ideas with thousands or even millions of people.

Picture yourself teaming up with others who share your interests, making friends, and leaving a mark on the world.

This isn't some far-off dream. It's something you can start working towards right now.

By following the tips we've talked about—like engaging with your audience, building a community, and sharing valuable content—you can make it happen.

So, don't wait around. Start taking action today. Use social media wisely, and watch as it helps you reach your goals.