Digital Social Hour Episode #840: The Instagram Growth Strategy You’re Missing | John Cerasani

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: John Cerasani
Release Date: October 29, 2024

In this engaging episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with John Cerasani, a renowned influencer and entrepreneur, to delve into the intricacies of Instagram growth, monetization strategies, and personal experiences that have shaped John's online presence. The conversation is rich with actionable insights, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful discussions on navigating the digital landscape.

1. Instagram Growth Strategy and Key Metrics

John Cerasani opens the discussion by sharing his impressive Instagram growth metrics, highlighting a surge of 2,000 to 3,000 followers daily, despite a 500 to 1,000 daily unfollow rate. This steady increase emphasizes the dynamic nature of his audience engagement.

“If I'm not past 500,000 on Instagram by the time this airs, something went drastically wrong because I'm going up between a thousand to two thousand a day.”
[01:05] – John Cerasani

He attributes this growth to a combination of creating content that aligns with Instagram’s algorithm and attracting high-profile followers, which in turn boosts his credibility and visibility on the platform.

2. Strategies Leading to Growth

John emphasizes the importance of content that resonates with both general and specific audiences. He points out that his content not only appeals to everyday users but also attracts blue-checked celebrities, enhancing his reach and influence.

“I think the combination of the two, bro. But it's funny on the Instagram insights, man.”
[01:05] – John Cerasani

Notably, John mentions John Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians, following him, which underscores the effectiveness of his strategy in attracting influential figures.

3. Monetization Challenges and Brand Partnerships

Transitioning to monetization, John candidly discusses the challenges of aligning brand deals with his authentic content. He outlines two main criteria for partnerships:

1. Brand Alignment: Ensuring the brand's values resonate with his content.
2. Win-Win-Win Scenario: Benefiting himself, the brand, and his audience.

“So I have two pieces of criteria I look at when I do any kind of monetization.”
[06:10] – John Cerasani

For instance, his collaboration with Virgin Cruise Lines offers exclusive deals to his followers while providing value to the brand.

“I made a deal with Virgin Cruise Lines... everybody's getting rooms that are below market that they wouldn't have paid.”
[08:10] – John Cerasani

4. Collaborations and Networking with Influencers

John highlights the reciprocal benefits of collaborating with other influencers. These partnerships not only expand his audience but also introduce him to new followers from different niches.

“You're growing their audience, growing yours at the same time.”
[11:10] – John Cerasani

He shares experiences of teaming up with influencers like Steve, enhancing mutual growth and engagement.

5. Focused Gambling Content and Effective Strategies

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around John's specialized content in gambling. He differentiates his approach by prioritizing winning over content creation, which has led to consistent success.

“I go to the casinos, planning on winning, dude. I'm like literally going there to win.”
[13:05] – John Cerasani

John meticulously manages his betting strategies, emphasizing money management and setting clear stop-loss limits to sustain his gambling profitability.

6. Engaging Followers with Humor and Authenticity

John employs humor to engage his audience and handle negative comments. By showcasing a light-hearted demeanor, he maintains a relatable and authentic online presence.

“That's how you have a sense of humor, though, bro. That's how you... social media should be about, dude.”
[28:11] – John Cerasani

This approach fosters a positive community while defusing potential conflicts with his followers.

7. Navigating Politics and Social Issues on Social Media

John shares a personal experience where a comment about Donald Trump led to a noticeable loss of followers. He clarifies that his page is not politically driven, aiming to maintain neutrality while addressing unforeseen social dynamics.

“I just said that Trump isn't genpop... my page has nothing to do with politics, dude.”
[00:29 - 25:14] – John Cerasani

He further explains his stance to mitigate misunderstandings and maintain his core message focused on entrepreneurship and personal growth.

8. Expanding to Other Platforms: YouTube Challenges

John discusses his efforts to diversify his content across platforms like YouTube, acknowledging the platform's competitive nature and lower engagement compared to Instagram and TikTok.

“YouTube's been tough, man. It's tough... it's just different.”
[33:28] – John Cerasani

He experiments with YouTube Premieres to enhance live engagement, though he notes that maintaining high engagement remains a challenge.

9. Personal Anecdotes: Handling Friendships and Finances

John recounts a troubling incident where two friends accrued a $3,881 hotel bill at the MGM Grand, leading to the loss of those friendships. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining integrity in personal and professional relationships.

“They thought it was going to get comped and it didn't matter... $3,881.”
[25:07] – John Cerasani

This story serves as a lesson in financial responsibility and the impact of personal choices on relationships.

10. Future Plans and Continuous Growth

Looking ahead, John shares plans for hosting a 500,000 follower party and potential seasons of his TV show, The Partner, which mirrors concepts similar to Shark Tank. He reflects on the evolution of the influencer market and the necessity of providing substantial value to sustain long-term success.

“I'm doing more on YouTube now... we shall see on when I do that.”
[34:08] – John Cerasani

John remains committed to expanding his ventures while staying true to his core message of entrepreneurship and personal development.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John Cerasani [01:05]:
  “If I'm not past 500,000 on Instagram by the time this airs, something went drastically wrong because I'm going up between a thousand to two thousand a day.”

• John Cerasani [06:10]:
  “So I have two pieces of criteria I look at when I do any kind of monetization.”

• John Cerasani [08:10]:
  “I made a deal with Virgin Cruise Lines... everybody's getting rooms that are below market that they wouldn't have paid.”

• John Cerasani [13:05]:
  “I go to the casinos, planning on winning, dude. I'm like literally going there to win.”

• John Cerasani [25:07]:
  “They thought it was going to get comped and it didn't matter... $3,881.”

• John Cerasani [28:11]:
  “That's how you have a sense of humor, though, bro. That's how you... social media should be about, dude.”

• John Cerasani [33:28]:
  “YouTube's been tough, man. It's tough... it's just different.”

Conclusion

John Cerasani’s episode on Digital Social Hour provides a comprehensive look into the multifaceted strategies behind Instagram growth, effective monetization, and authentic engagement. His experiences underscore the importance of aligning content with personal values, maintaining integrity in business dealings, and adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape. Aspiring entrepreneurs and influencers can glean valuable lessons from John's journey, from managing a robust social media presence to handling the complexities of personal relationships and brand partnerships.

For more insights and to follow John’s journey, visit his Instagram and YouTube channels.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the provided transcript segments.