Grow The Show Podcast: Episode 213 Summary
Title: The 3 Strategies That Built Every 7-Figure Personal Brand (And How to Use Them)
Host: Kevin Chemidlin
Release Date: March 4, 2025
In Episode 213 of Grow The Show, host Kevin Chemidlin delves into the foundational strategies that underpin seven-figure personal brands. Drawing from his extensive experience working with over 400 entrepreneurs, Kevin identifies three core organic audience growth strategies: Algorithmic Growth, Collaborations, and Direct Hand-to-Hand Combat. This comprehensive summary explores each strategy, highlighting key discussions, insights, and actionable conclusions to help listeners elevate their personal brands and build profitable online businesses.
1. Introduction to Core Growth Strategies
Kevin begins by asserting that every major seven-plus figure personal brand—such as those of Alex Hormozi, Amy Porterfield, Gary Vee, and Mel Robbins—leverages three primary organic audience growth strategies. He emphasizes the simplicity yet effectiveness of these methods, promising that understanding and implementing them can significantly accelerate audience growth and business profitability.
"Every major seven plus figure personal brand... was built using just three organic audience growth strategies."
— Kevin Chemidlin [00:00]
2. Strategy 1: Algorithmic Growth
Definition and Importance
Algorithmic Growth refers to utilizing platform-specific algorithms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, SEO) to organically expand an audience. Kevin explains that in 2025, advancements have made these algorithms highly efficient at distributing quality content to the right audiences without the need for manipulative tactics.
"The algorithm is just a pass through thing. So if you can just understand that I just need to make content that makes people stay and like and watch and share, the algorithm will reward me with riches."
— Kevin Chemidlin [05:00]
Evolution of Social Media Algorithms
Kevin provides a brief history of how platforms have evolved, highlighting TikTok's revolutionary algorithm in 2019 that prioritized user interests over existing networks. This shift, often termed the "TikTokification" of social media, has been emulated by other platforms, enhancing their ability to surface engaging content independently of follower counts.
Common Pitfalls and Solutions
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Misunderstanding the Algorithm: Many entrepreneurs mistakenly view algorithms as complex systems to be hacked. Kevin clarifies that modern algorithms prioritize content quality based on psychological engagement factors such as click-through rates, watch time, and shares.
"The algorithm is nothing but a referral engine."
— Kevin Chemidlin [12:30] -
Overuse of External Links: Excessive calls-to-action (CTAs) directing audiences away from the platform can hinder algorithmic growth. Kevin advises focusing on creating engaging content within the platform to enhance visibility organically.
"Instead of every single post asking people to leave LinkedIn and leave the platform, play the game and focus on growing your audience within LinkedIn."
— Kevin Chemidlin [20:45]
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize content quality to meet algorithmic standards.
- Limit external CTAs to maintain platform favor.
- Focus on mastering one platform to build a substantial following before expanding to others.
3. Strategy 2: Collaborations
Understanding Collaborations
Collaborations involve partnering with established creators or influencers who have already cultivated the desired audience. Kevin outlines two main types of collaborations:
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Profiling Other Creators: Creating content that analyzes or highlights prominent figures without requiring their direct involvement. This "permissionless collaboration" leverages the existing audiences of these figures to attract new followers.
"Your content must be awesome. If you find that you're not growing on social media, that means that the people who see your content currently don't like it enough for the algorithm to show it to more people."
— Kevin Chemidlin [15:00]Example: Kevin shares an anecdote about a 15-year-old analyzing the Eagles' defense strategy, which attracted followers interested in football tactics without the need for the team's endorsement.
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Mutual Collaborations: Engaging directly with other creators through interviews, guest blog posts, or podcast appearances. While potentially powerful, Kevin warns that simply securing interviews with high-profile guests may not yield significant growth unless the guest actively promotes the collaboration.
"Podcast guesting has been a really solid way to grow your audience... focus on getting profiled by bigger accounts."
— Kevin Chemidlin [18:20]
Effective Collaboration Practices
- Consistency: Make collaborations a regular part of your growth strategy.
- Quality over Quantity: Target collaborations with creators who have a substantial and relevant audience.
- Utilize Multiple Forms: Combine different collaboration formats (e.g., interviews, analysis posts) to maximize reach.
4. Strategy 3: Direct Hand-to-Hand Combat
Defining Direct Growth
Direct growth involves personal, one-on-one interactions with potential audience members. Kevin describes two primary methods:
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Targeted Daily Engagement (TDE): Actively commenting on and engaging with numerous posts daily to increase visibility. This approach requires significant time and effort but can effectively build relationships and attract followers.
"The biggest creators do this too. They're getting out there, they're getting in front of people so that those people see them, click on them, follow them."
— Kevin Chemidlin [25:10] -
Direct Messaging (DMing): Reaching out to individuals individually through social media DMs. This can be done either cold (initiating contact without prior relationship) or warm (engaging with existing followers). While labor-intensive, DMing can lead to meaningful connections and audience growth.
Best Practices for Direct Growth
- Personalization: Tailor messages to each individual to increase engagement rates.
- Balance Effort: While TDE and DMing are effective, they should complement rather than overshadow other growth strategies.
- Scale Appropriately: As your audience grows, consider delegating direct outreach tasks to team members or virtual assistants to maintain efficiency.
5. Integrating the Three Strategies
Kevin emphasizes that these three strategies are not mutually exclusive but rather synergistic. Effective audience growth often involves a combination of:
- Mastering the platform's algorithm to maximize content visibility.
- Collaborating with established creators to tap into their audiences.
- Engaging directly with potential followers to build personal connections.
"You wanna have one algorithm that you're really working on getting good at. You wanna be constantly collaborating with creators... and then the third strategy is direct."
— Kevin Chemidlin [29:50]
6. Actionable Steps for Listeners
Kevin concludes the episode by offering practical steps for listeners to implement the discussed strategies:
- Evaluate Current Efforts: Assess which of the three strategies you are currently utilizing.
- Optimize Algorithmic Growth: Focus on creating high-quality content tailored to one primary platform before expanding.
- Enhance Collaborations: Actively seek collaborations with creators who have a significant and relevant audience.
- Engage Directly: Incorporate targeted daily engagement and DMing into your routine to foster personal connections with your audience.
"Look at what you're currently doing to grow your audience and understand, am I doing algorithms, am I doing collaborations, or am I doing hand to hand?"
— Kevin Chemidlin [31:20]
7. Conclusion
Kevin wraps up by reaffirming the effectiveness of these three organic growth strategies in building seven-figure personal brands. He encourages listeners to implement these methods thoughtfully and consistently to achieve substantial audience growth and business success.
"These are the three only ways to grow an audience organically online."
— Kevin Chemidlin [34:00]
Final Thoughts
Episode 213 of Grow The Show provides a clear, actionable framework for entrepreneurs seeking to scale their personal brands. By focusing on Algorithmic Growth, Collaborations, and Direct Hand-to-Hand Combat, listeners can systematically enhance their audience reach and build profitable online businesses. Kevin's insights, backed by real-world examples and strategic advice, offer a valuable roadmap for both novice and seasoned content creators aiming to achieve seven-figure success.