Over the past year, I’ve posted 629 times on Instagram, and these are the most valuable lessons I’ve learned. If you're a creator or someone looking to grow on Instagram, these insights will save you time, effort, and frustration.

1. One Post Can Change Everything

In December 2022, one viral post changed my life. It helped me build a multi-six-figure business and become a full-time creator. The takeaway? Keep posting. Treat every piece of content like a lottery ticket—free to create but with the potential to win big. Don’t quit just because your first few posts flop. Success is often closer than you think.

2. Stand Out—Don’t Copy

Copying a viral video rarely works. Instead, look outside your niche for inspiration. For example, if you're in fitness, study the storytelling or video structure from ASMR or gardening videos and adapt those concepts to your niche. Bonus tip: Check YouTube for viral videos with disproportionate views-to-subscribers ratios and repurpose their ideas as Instagram content.

3. Forget Hashtags

Hashtags don’t matter. Instagram already knows where to push your content based on user behavior. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging posts instead of obsessing over hashtags.

4. Start with Reels

Reels are the best way to grow when you’re starting. Test different ideas and formats while your audience is small—it’s your time to experiment. Once you have a following, integrate carousels, especially those with audio, as they perform exceptionally well and often appear in the Reels feed.

5. Consistency Isn’t Everything

If it were, everyone posting daily would be thriving, but we both know that’s not the case.

Let me tell you about Tochi, one of my students in the Creator World program. She was posting consistently for months without seeing much growth. At first, she thought just showing up would eventually lead to results. But consistency without strategy is like running on a treadmill—you’re moving, but not getting anywhere.

Once she started implementing a system focused on value-packed, strategic content (rather than random posting), her engagement skyrocketed, and she surpassed 240K followers. Tochi’s story proves a powerful truth: What you do consistently matters just as much as how you do it.

So if you’re stuck thinking consistency is the only thing that matters, take a step back. It’s not just about showing up—it’s about showing up smart.

6. Evolve Your Content

Sticking to one formula won’t sustain growth forever. If something worked in the past but doesn’t anymore, repackage it in a fresh format. For instance, if a “5 Best Exercises” post stops working, try sharing those exercises in a “Day in the Life” style reel.

7. Engagement Is Key to Going Viral

Early engagement—shares, saves, and comments—determines whether your post will go viral. Instagram prioritizes shares, so create content that people want to share with their friends.

8. Low Engagement Happens to Everyone

Not every post will be a hit, and that’s okay. Even top influencers often have posts with less than 5% engagement. Focus on creating your next great post instead of dwelling on the last one.

9. Build Around a Core Message

Your content should revolve around one main theme or belief system. This creates consistency while giving you room to explore. For example, if you value longevity, you can post recipes, motivational content, or daily habits—all tied back to your core message.

10. Losing Followers Is Normal

As your content reaches more people, you’ll naturally gain and lose followers. Don’t let it discourage you—it’s part of the process.

Creating 629 posts has taught me that success on Instagram isn’t about luck—it’s about persistence, creativity, and evolution. Use these insights to grow smarter, not harder, and keep moving forward. Your viral moment might be just one post away.