197. How to Build a 10M+ Follower Brand with PlantYou Founder Carleigh Bodrug

How do you build a brand with more than 10 million followers? PlantYou founder and New York Times bestselling author Carleigh Bodrug shares the content strategy that helped her turn a simple Instagram account into a massive online community and global brand. We talk Instagram growth, creating repeatable content formats, analyzing what works, increasing Reel retention, building an email list, monetizing your audience, and why your first posts are supposed to be cringey. If you’re a creator or entrepreneur trying to grow your personal brand on social media, this episode is your masterclass in creating content people actually want to follow. Thank you to my sponsors: Launch your business with Shopify. Start your one-dollar-per-month trial here: ⁠⁠http://shopify.com/chc⁠⁠ The live selling marketplace: Whatnot. Check it out here: ⁠⁠http://whatnot.com/⁠⁠/ The essential toolkit for telling better storiesStoryblocks: ⁠⁠http://www.storyblocks.com/chc Quince: http://quince.com/chc ShipStation: 60 days free using code: CHC http://ShipStation.com Brevo- Get 50% off: http://brevo.com/creator In this episode, you will learn: 00:00 Meet Carleigh Bodrug, CEO and founder of PlantYou. 04:30 How documenting your journey can become the foundation of a recognizable brand. 08:00 Why creating before you feel confident is the fastest way to build your skills. 11:30 The content you almost never post can sometimes perform the best. 14:15 How a content format can become a signature people recognize. 18:30 Ways to use analytics to decide what content to repeat. 21:45 When to delete, re-edit, and repost a Reel that isn't performing. 22:45 Tips to use visual, text, and talking hooks to keep people watching. 25:30 How to turn social media followers into a deeper relationship with your audience. 27:45 How audience feedback can guide your content strategy and product ideas. 30:00 How Carleigh turned a $7.99 meal plan into a full-time business. 33:00 Why you can start monetizing before you have a massive audience. 37:00 Which content channels can help you sell during a launch. 37:45 Ways freebies and lead magnets can grow your email list. 38:45 How to create products that solve your audience's real-life needs. 41:30 How to create boundaries when you genuinely love your work. 43:15 What to focus on during your first 60 days of building an Instagram brand. Resources + Links Get PlantYou Quickies and grab the freebies HERE! Learn more about PlantYou HERE! Grab ⁠⁠The Visibility Vault™⁠⁠⁠ – 150+ Canva templates + done-for-you captions to help you stay consistent and get seen online.  Ready to grow your visibility? Find more resources here! Follow Katelyn on IG: @thekatelynrhoades Call Her Creator on IG: @callhercreator Carleigh on IG: @plantyou