Call Her Creator Podcast Summary: Episode "From 0 to 157K Followers: How Monty Lands Built a Magnetic Brand on Instagram"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades
- Host: Katelyn Rhoades
- Guest: Monty Lands
- Episode Release Date: May 21, 2025
- Powered by: Stan
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Call Her Creator, host Katelyn Rhoades welcomes her friend Monty Lands to discuss his remarkable journey from building a modest Instagram following to amassing 157K followers. Monty's story is a testament to consistency, strategic pivoting, and the power of authentic content creation.
Meeting Monty Lands
Katelyn Rhoades introduces Monty Lands with heartfelt enthusiasm, stating, “[Monty] is like, seriously one of the greatest people you will ever meet” (00:26). She highlights Monty's vibrant personality and his success in creating engaging content that captures attention and fosters community.
Monty’s Early Journey as a Creator
Monty shares his origins as a content creator, tracing back to his teenage years where humor became his primary tool for connection. “[I was] the funny guy. I'm the silly guy... making crazy faces, do crazy dances, wear stupid outfits just to, like, make people laugh” (01:47). This natural inclination towards humor laid the foundation for his later success on Instagram.
Initial Instagram Growth: Monty recounts how he and his wife ventured into food influencing eight years ago. “We bonded over food... started seeing these food influencers... making you drool... thousands of likes and tens of thousands of followers” (04:00). Their passion for food led them to consistently post enticing pictures and reviews, quickly garnering a substantial following and attracting invites to exclusive events like the Explorers Club in New York City (06:30).
Pivot During the Pandemic: From Food Influencer to Instagram Coach
The pandemic served as a pivotal moment for Monty. With his food influencer activities not generating sufficient income, he sought a new direction. “[The pandemic] brought everybody home and in front of their cell phone on social media” (08:59). This period of uncertainty led Monty to recognize his entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to teach others.
Monty developed a coaching program, initially working with friends to validate his approach. “I just started working with close friends... they were like, 'Monty, you really know yourself... I definitely would pay, like, 3 to $500 first for what you did'” (19:52). This validation propelled him to formalize his coaching services, ultimately leading to the creation of structured workshops and digital products.
Content Strategy and Growth Techniques
Consistency and Persistence: Monty emphasizes the importance of showing up consistently: “It was consistently showing up” (07:32). Unlike the common misconception of overnight success, his growth was the result of relentless effort and adaptability.
Leveraging Clubhouse for Growth: A significant part of Monty’s growth strategy involved leveraging the Clubhouse platform. By actively participating in large networking rooms and eventually becoming a moderator, he expanded his reach and converted Clubhouse interactions into Instagram followers. “I went on Clubhouse for at least four hours every single day, Monday through Sunday, for the first six to eight months” (07:32).
Engagement Strategies: Monty discusses various tactics employed to boost engagement, including engagement groups, promo pages, and organic posting. Despite the changes in Instagram’s algorithm, these strategies helped him build a loyal follower base.
Balancing Entertainment and Value
Monty’s unique ability to blend humor with educational content, termed as edutainment, sets him apart. “[My] sense of humor is my superpower” (13:36). He ensures his content is both entertaining and valuable, making complex social media strategies accessible and enjoyable for his audience.
He elaborates, “...I just had to figure out how to tie important messages and lessons from, like, the social media aspect to my sense of humor” (13:36). This balance allows him to engage followers while providing actionable insights.
Advice for New Creators
Creating Digital Products: Monty advises newcomers to start with digital products such as eBooks, checklists, or video series. “A digital product is the easiest way... to ease into selling online” (25:40). He emphasizes researching audience pain points and creating solutions that address those needs.
Testing and Scaling: He recommends starting small to validate ideas before scaling. “Charge a small amount, $5... see if people will pay for it” (25:40). This approach minimizes risk while providing proof of concept.
Creative Experimentation
Monty advocates for continuous experimentation to keep content fresh and engaging. “I’m experimenting with like the whole podcast style content... seeing how that goes” (37:15). He explores various content formats, from storytelling to deep dives into viral content strategies, ensuring that his creative process remains dynamic and responsive to audience preferences.
Tools and Resources
Monty shares his top three tools that aid his content creation:
- CapCut – For video editing and recording.
- ManyChat – For DM automation.
- Stan – For maintaining a digital storefront and organizing offerings (39:25).
He also mentions experimenting with tools like Remini for photo enhancement and AI platforms like ChatGPT and Poppy for content generation.
Challenges and Unexpected Insights
Monty candidly discusses the unanticipated challenges of being a creator, particularly the unlimited opportunities and the constant evolution of social media platforms. “Being a creator forces you to embody and embrace so many aspects of growing as a human being” (30:22). The need for perpetual learning and adaptability was something he hadn’t fully prepared for.
Conclusion: How to Connect with Monty Lands
Monty invites listeners to join his Creative Genius Club, a private community offering live training, creativity labs, mentorship, and faith-driven fellowship. “It's called the Creative Genius Club www.creativegenius.club” (42:03). He is also open to one-on-one coaching sessions for those seeking personalized guidance.
Katelyn Rhoades wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow Monty on Instagram (@MontyLands) and to explore his offerings for those ready to elevate their personal brands.
Notable Quotes
- Monty Lands: “I just went from 5,638 followers to 10,000 followers in a year, and the majority of that was off of Clubhouse” (23:11).
- Monty Lands: “If you're trying to learn how to do a transition, you have to practice it every single day... otherwise, it's like painting in the rain” (32:58).
- Monty Lands: “Humor is what grabs people's attention. It's what makes people feel connected to me” (13:36).
Key Takeaways
- Consistency is Crucial: Regular posting and active engagement across platforms like Instagram and Clubhouse can significantly boost your following.
- Adapt and Pivot: Be prepared to shift your content strategy in response to external changes, such as the pandemic.
- Blend Entertainment with Value: Use your unique personality traits, like humor, to make educational content engaging.
- Start Small with Digital Products: Validate your ideas with affordable digital offerings before scaling.
- Continuous Experimentation: Keep your content fresh by trying new formats and approaches to keep your audience engaged.
- Join Communities: Being part of supportive communities like Monty’s Creative Genius Club can provide invaluable resources and motivation.
Connect with Monty Lands:
- Instagram: @MontyLands
- Creative Genius Club: www.creativegenius.club
This episode serves as an inspiring roadmap for aspiring creators, demonstrating that success on social media is attainable through dedication, strategic planning, and authentic engagement.