How I Hit 35K Followers and 15 Million Views in Just 55 Days

Hey everyone,

A couple of months ago, I set a personal goal to see just how fast I could grow a page from scratch. I wanted to focus on something I loved: basketball. Instagram’s more competitive than ever, but with the right mix of strategy and consistency, it’s possible to grow fast, even in today’s landscape. Here’s how I made it happen.

1. Create Your Niche: My Framework for Building a Standout Page

The first step was defining my niche. My exact approach may help you follow a similar path.

Right now, there are tons of motivation pages on Instagram using the popular 4:3 rounded-corner style. Then, there’s the wave of sports-focused pages using the same format. But I saw a gap: there weren’t any motivation pages dedicated just to basketball in the unique, emotionally-driven style I had in mind.

So I went for it and added my own twist. Through trial and error, I found that storytelling-driven videos, with emotional moments and good pacing, performed the best. Each video started with a powerful song that built up to a “drop,” followed by impactful clips of the players. This approach stood out and resonated with the audience.

2. Build Your Brand: Stand Out with a Memorable Identity

To truly stand out, I focused on creating a strong brand. This included choosing a memorable name, a clean logo, and consistently reinforcing the message I wanted my audience to connect with.

3. Strategy Breakdown: Key Growth Pillars

• Content Type: I focused on motivational basketball videos highlighting player struggles, career journeys, and iconic moments. These themes resonated deeply with the audience and made them feel the journey.

• Audience Targeting: By narrowing my focus to basketball, my content was consistent, which Instagram’s algorithm seemed to appreciate. More importantly, it connected powerfully with the fans of this niche.

4. Growth Tactics: Practical Tips that Worked

• Consistency & Timing: Posting once daily, 5-6 days per week, at peak times helped maximize reach.

• Reel Optimization: Using CapCut, I sync clips with audio beats for added impact. Small effects placed at just the right moments kept viewers watching longer. The right music choice amplified the vibe.

5. Lessons Learned: What Worked and What Didn’t

Not every video was a hit, and that’s okay. Initially, I experimented with different basketball content styles, from funny moments to lifestyle clips. But videos centered on player journeys and emotional moments consistently outperformed the others, so I leaned into that.

6. Tools & Resources: Essentials for Growth

• Editing: CapCut for short-form videos, Canva for image editing.

• Inspiration: I regularly check Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts for inspiration from basketball creators and high-performing content across other niches to adapt for my page.

Actionable Steps:

1. Identify the Gap: Look at the existing pages in your area of interest. Find out what’s missing or what could be more focused. For me, it was bringing the style of motivational videos to a basketball-only page with unique storytelling.

2. Add a Unique Twist: Instead of copying what’s out there, try combining elements that haven't been paired before. I brought in emotionally driven stories and paired them with impactful audio and high-quality video edits to build a connection.

3. Focus on the Story, Not Just the Edit: While editing makes a video eye-catching, it’s the story and emotion that truly hook viewers. Think of how you want your audience to feel and create your content around that emotion.

4. Brand it Right: Have a memorable name, logo, and style that viewers can easily identify. This will keep your content recognizable, making it easier to build a following around it.

If you’ve got any questions or specific topics you’d like covered in the next email, drop me a dm on Instagram.

Much Love,

Hoopsciety