Podcast Summary: The $100 MBA Show – MBA2602: How to Grow an Instagram Account in 2025 (Even if You Have 0 Followers)
Host: Omar Zenhom
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Duration: Approximately 14 minutes
Introduction
In episode MBA2602 of The $100 MBA Show, host Omar Zenhom delves into the art and science of growing an Instagram account from scratch in 2025. Drawing from over two decades of entrepreneurial experience and personal success in scaling Instagram from under 300 to nearly 100,000 followers within a year, Omar provides a comprehensive, actionable framework for aspiring content creators and business owners aiming to harness Instagram's potential.
Reevaluating Instagram's Role in Business
Omar begins by addressing a common misconception: Instagram is often perceived as a platform for vanity and superficial displays. He shares his personal journey of neglecting social media, initially seeing it as unproductive. However, upon shifting his perspective to view Instagram as a valuable tool for serving his audience through educational content, he witnessed remarkable growth.
"I treated Instagram as another way to serve my audience by sharing valuable educational content. My account grew from less than 300 followers to nearly 100,000 in under a year."
— Omar Zenhom, [00:31]
Key Insights:
- Instagram remains a highly engaged platform for businesses in 2025.
- Recent algorithm changes prioritize quality content over follower count.
- Reels continue to be the most effective organic reach tool.
Omar's Instagram Growth System
Omar outlines a systematic approach to growing an Instagram account, emphasizing consistency, value-driven content, and strategic engagement.
1. Consistent Posting
Consistency is paramount. Omar recommends posting daily, aiming for up to twice a day, to leverage Instagram's favoring of active accounts.
"Try as much as possible to post every single day, even if you can, sometimes twice a day."
— Omar Zenhom, [00:55]
Strategies:
- Develop a content calendar to ensure regular posting.
- Treat Instagram as an ongoing project rather than sporadic activity.
- Increased posting frequency directly correlates with follower growth.
2. Types of Content for 2025
Omar identifies three primary content formats that perform well:
-
Short Reels (~30 seconds): Quick, engaging, and valuable snippets.
"Short reels that are around 30 seconds. You want these to be quick, punchy, valuable."
— Omar Zenhom, [02:15] -
Carousel Posts: Step-by-step breakdowns or multi-part educational content.
"Carousel posts are like step-by-step breakdowns or a blog post broken up into different posts."
— Omar Zenhom, [03:10] -
Single Image Posts: Personal and authentic images that resonate emotionally with the audience.
"Single image posts—simple, engaging, shareable. Try something personal."
— Omar Zenhom, [04:05]
Additionally, Omar introduces "mini lessons" as a highly effective carousel format that distills comprehensive content into digestible, actionable steps.
3. Crafting the Perfect Hook
The initial moments of content consumption are critical. Omar emphasizes the necessity of captivating the audience within the first three seconds.
"The first three seconds of your reel will determine whether people scroll or stay."
— Omar Zenhom, [05:45]
Techniques:
- Start with a compelling statement or question.
- Front-load the most valuable information or the "aha" moment.
- Avoid clickbait; ensure the hook aligns with the content's substance.
4. Authentic Engagement
Building a genuine connection with followers fosters loyalty and increases visibility.
"Engage as much as possible. If somebody writes you a comment on a post, reply to every single comment that you can."
— Omar Zenhom, [07:00]
Best Practices:
- Allocate dedicated time for responding to comments and direct messages.
- Initiate conversations with new followers to build rapport.
- Actively comment on and support other accounts within your niche to enhance community presence.
5. Instagram as a Business Funnel
Transform Instagram followers into email subscribers and eventually paying customers by strategically guiding them through a sales funnel.
"Treat Instagram as a business funnel. Your whole goal on Instagram is to give great content so that you can then say, 'Join my newsletter,' 'Opt into my freebie,'"
— Omar Zenhom, [09:20]
Steps:
- Call-to-Action (CTA): Incorporate CTAs in every post, directing followers to resources or sign-up links.
- Email List Building: Use Instagram to funnel followers into your email marketing campaigns.
- Conversion Optimization: Continuously test and optimize the link in your bio to maximize conversions.
Pitfalls to Avoid
Omar advises against several common mistakes that hinder Instagram growth:
-
Infrequent Posting:
"Stop posting once or twice a week and expecting growth."
— Omar Zenhom, [11:30] -
Prioritizing Aesthetics Over Value:
"Stop focusing on aesthetics over value. Make sure the content, the hook, all that stuff is valuable."
— Omar Zenhom, [12:10] -
Chasing Vanity Metrics:
"Stop chasing vanity metrics and focusing on engagement and conversions."
— Omar Zenhom, [12:30]
Recommendations:
- Focus on delivering meaningful content rather than just visually appealing posts.
- Prioritize actions that lead to business growth, such as email sign-ups, over superficial metrics like likes and follower counts.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Omar concludes by reinforcing that Instagram growth is attainable with the right system and unwavering consistency. He underscores the importance of overcoming personal barriers and embracing a mindset geared towards value creation.
"Growing on Instagram is possible even if you're starting from scratch. You don't need luck, you just need a system."
— Omar Zenhom, [13:15]
Key Takeaways:
- System Over Luck: Implementing a structured approach yields sustainable growth.
- Consistency Breeds Quality: Regular content creation improves both reach and content quality.
- Mindset Matters: Adopting a service-oriented mentality transforms social media from a vanity platform to a powerful business tool.
Omar encourages listeners to apply the strategies discussed and commit to continuous improvement, assuring that with dedication, anyone can achieve significant Instagram growth in 2025.
Notable Quotes:
-
On Consistency:
"Try as much as possible to post every single day, even if you can, sometimes twice a day."
— Omar Zenhom, [00:55] -
On the Importance of Hooks:
"If your content doesn't grab people's attention immediately, it won't matter how good it is."
— Omar Zenhom, [06:30] -
On Treating Instagram as a Funnel:
"Your whole goal on Instagram is to give great content so that you can then say, 'Join my newsletter,' 'Opt into my freebie,'" — Omar Zenhom, [09:20] -
On Final Mindset Shift:
"If I never changed my mindset about social media, I would have missed out big time."
— Omar Zenhom, [13:30]
Conclusion
This episode of The $100 MBA Show offers a treasure trove of practical strategies for leveraging Instagram as a powerful business tool. Omar Zenhom's insights, backed by personal success and extensive entrepreneurial experience, provide a clear roadmap for anyone looking to grow their Instagram presence from the ground up in 2025.
For more actionable business lessons and strategies, subscribers can follow Omar Zenhom on his socials or visit 100MBA.net.