How to grow on social media in 2025

The Catalyst Letter

Do you ever feel like your content is working against you?

You try to post some content only to spend a ridiculous amount of time creating a mediocre video which then never gets posted?

Or maybe when you work up the confidence to post but then it just doesn’t perform the way you wanted it to?

And even worse you fear you might just spiral your account into a “shadow ban” 

I get it.

I’ve been there before.

Lucky all social media platforms and all algorithms are changing into an interest based model.

Meaning it has now never been easier for small accounts to grow.

But the only way to grow is by sticking it for a few months.

You’ll not only gain the clarity in your own path but also start to improve the skills you need to start growing your audience.

You learn the skills as you start posting.

Once you become consistent you might just stumble into the 1 video that changes your life.

Your content creation skills will improve with practice.

Just like how I’ve made multiple videos that got me between 5 and 50K followers from 1 post.

It happens pretty quick it only takes a few videos. And only 1 video to start the snowball.

But you’re only going to give yourself that opportunity by creating content and  committing to the process.

Here’s a quote that perfectly explains the creative process:

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit.

Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”

Ira Glass

A quote so good, you should read it twice.

In this letter we’re going to reset your relationship with social media.

We need to look at the situation at hand. We’ll start by:

  • Identifying old trends from 2024 and common problems creators make

  • how the algorithm is actually just a reflection of yourself and how turn doom scrolling into a creativity weapon

  • And how to take control of your content creation and make it work for you

Once we understand the landscape of social media we can create a strategy to victory.

Victory being: posting dope content, growing your audience, and giving value to more people through your valuable ideas and stories (all while getting paid for it)

Kill the limiting beliefs you have in your own head that are holding you back.

You’re not competing against anyone. We are all enabling each other to build and grow.

We can start with the old trends on social media that allowed me to make a few of those videos that sky rocketed my following last year. 

It’s safe to say, I understand it pretty well.

Let’s get into how i’m adapting and focusing towards the next jump of followers in 2025.

The old trends that are holding you back

In 2024, creators leaned heavily on verbal hooks to capture attention.

The first 3-5 seconds of a video were all about crafting an engaging opening line to keep viewers watching.

But now, everyone has mastered verbal hooks, and audiences are becoming desensitized.

ADHD-style over edited content was another big trend—fast cuts, flashy visuals, and rapid pacing were used to keep people engaged.

While this approach worked for a while, it has now become overwhelming.

Too many visuals create an overstimulating experience, making content confusing rather than engaging.

Creators also relied on quick, actionable tips—30-second snippets of advice that were easy to digest.

While these worked for short-term engagement, they failed to build a deep connection with audiences.

People consumed the information and moved on, but there was no lasting impact or relationship-building.

So now that those strategies are in the past, we need to tune into what is currently working.

Content creation is not about luck—it’s about testing, analyzing, and refining.

The best creators treat their work like a science experiment.

They use structures and templates to make content creation easier, allowing them to focus on creativity rather than logistics.

If something worked well before, don’t be afraid to repeat it with a fresh twist.

Your audience won’t remember every post you’ve ever made, and even if they do, they won’t mind seeing valuable content that they enjoyed watching again.

If a topic performed well, double down on it.

The more you refine and iterate, the better you become.

To stay consistent, build a system that allows you to capture ideas, create content efficiently, and streamline your editing and posting process.

Think about what steps go into creating a post, the environment that helps you work best, and the methods you use to film and edit.

The key to long-term success is having a repeatable process that removes unnecessary friction.

Go film once a week, make 7 videos in 1 day, and shoot on your iPhone while you’re having your morning coffee.

Make it easy and stick to a schedule.

But be sure to not get distracted by the algorithm when you find your inspiration. After all-

The algorithm is you.

Social media is one of the most powerful educational tools at your fingertips—if you use it wisely.

Instead of mindlessly scrolling, approach with intention.

Follow the best creators in your field, study their strategies, and take note of what works.

Observe what’s trending in pop culture, the language people use, and the types of content that generate engagement.

By doing this, you train your mind to recognize patterns and opportunities that can shape your own content strategy.

Social media is not just for entertainment—it’s a masterclass in digital influence, branding, and communication.

There’s a common misconception that social media algorithms are manipulating users by some higher power.

The reality is that the algorithm simply reflects YOUR OWN behavior.

If you constantly engage with negative content, that’s what you’ll see more of.

If you interact with high-value, educational content, your feed will adjust accordingly.

Instead of blaming the algorithm, take control of it.

Go like and follow content that aligns with the person you want to become.

If you want to be more productive, start engaging with productivity content.

If you want to be healthier, interact with fitness creators.

If you don’t want to be distracted by brain rot that highjacks your brain, don’t feed the algorithm and watch / like the videos.

The algorithm is a reflection of you and your brain.

We are in a interest algorithm and all have no more excuses as to what content we are watching, and what we are producing.

The algorithm is exposing you.

Within days, your feed will transform into a space that motivates and educates you rather than distracting you.

But now that we have transitioned into a interest based algorithm, this means the way people consume content is shifting. 

The traditional idea of “following” creators is dying.

Instead of loyally following specific influencers, users are engaging with content based on their interests and the specific style of the specific piece of content.

This means that your content needs to be compelling enough to get recommended by algorithms rather than relying on people hitting the follow button. 

Now accounts with millions of followers can have posts flop and get thousands of fews.

Accounts with thousands of followers can now get millions of views.

It has never been easier to grow, once you unlock the ability to create good content.

This also means that your own audience may not be as deep as you think.

Just because someone follows you doesn’t mean they see or engage with your content regularly.

To build deeper connections, go live more often, engage directly with your audience, and create content that sparks conversations.

This will encourage many creators to continue to post longer form styles of content to really maintain an audience and connection that they want.

So if everything comes down to the actual content being posted. Then we have to create better content-

How to take control of your content and start growing (frameworks and systems)

One of the best ways to become a strong content creator is to develop a system for creativity.

You can create within frameworks and systems to allow you to more creative and have a stronger impact.

Here’s my Content Creation Ecosystem a simple yet effective approach:

  1. Collect & Organize – Everything you learn, read, or watch should become an input for your creative process. Keep a notebook or digital space where you store ideas, insights, and inspiration. Nobody creates ideas in a vacuum of nothing.

  2. Create & Experiment – Once you have collected ideas, turn them into content. Test new formats, styles, and messages to see what resonates with your audience. You can learn styles and formats from the intention scrolling you did before.

  3. Teach & Share – True mastery comes when you can teach what you’ve learned. Find opportunities to share knowledge, whether through videos, posts, or even live streams. The more you share, the more you grow as a creator.

You want to be creating content within proven frameworks. Once you find an idea or topic you want to write content about, use a framework to organize your ideas to boost your creativity. 

For example, If I wanted to write a newsletter about “how to heal your relationship with money”

I would feel probably overwhelmed and have way too many ideas and directions I can go without a framework therefore inhering my creativity.  

The better option is to use a framework we’ve all learned in school - Introduction, Topic 1, Topic 2, Topic 3, Conclusion.

Plus if we wanted to highlight a common problem and use social media and persuasive writing frameworks.

We can create a viral piece of content out of any topic. 

The same thing applies to using shortform writing frameworks. Short form content is newer and therefore many people aren’t as aware of it or learned it in school.

If you wanted to see how I write short form videos you can check out this YouTube video here.

As we move into 2025, content strategies need to evolve. If you want to stay ahead, you need to embrace these three major shifts:

 1. Visual Hooks Will Be King

Verbal hooks are losing their power, and visual hooks are taking over. These are attention-grabbing elements that require no sound. A strong visual cue can stop someone mid-scroll, making them more likely to engage with your content. Whether it’s an unexpected movement, an eye-catching background, or a compelling transition, visuals are becoming the new key to holding attention.


2. The Rise of Storytelling
People are tired of seeing the same recycled content. There’s not enough creativity, and audiences are craving something real. The best way to stand out is through storytelling. By infusing your personality and real-life experiences into your content, you create a deeper connection with your audience. People don’t just want information—they want to feel something. Use your stories to teach, inspire, and entertain.

3. Minimalism Over ADHD-Style Editing
The hyper-edited, fast-paced content that dominated in 2024 is starting to decline. Instead, minimalist, clean, and well-paced content is performing better. Viewers are looking for clarity, not chaos. Less is more, and a well-crafted, simple video can be more engaging than an overstimulated, visually cluttered one.

The most powerful tool you have in content creation is your personal story. No one else has lived your life, faced your challenges, or gained your experiences.

That uniqueness is what makes your content stand out. 

Many creators make the mistake of trying to mimic others, but authenticity is what truly builds trust and connection with an audience. 

If you don’t share your story, you create a disconnect, and people will find it harder to relate to you. 

The more you embrace who you are, the stronger your brand becomes.

Telling your story isn’t just about building an audience—it’s about self-reflection and transformation.

The process of sharing your journey helps you grow into the best version of yourself.

Every post, every video, and every conversation brings clarity to who you are and what you stand for.

Over time, this shapes your identity and cements your authority in your space.

Guarantee your success

A talented creator who posts inconsistently will always lose to a less talented creator who shows up every day. 

Success in content creation isn’t about being the best—it’s about being the most consistent.

he more you create, the more you improve, and the more opportunities you give yourself to be seen.

Keep creating. Keep experimenting. Keep showing up. That’s how you win.

Let’s get to work.

Ethan

P.S Enrolments open this week. I’ll be accepting 4 more clients in March. More details coming soon.