While watching a recent video of Omar Eltakrori and Jaden Young, I had a big realization about content creation: views don’t pay the bills. Omar shared how early in his content journey, he had multiple videos hit over a million views, with several more reaching over 500,000, yet he only had $60 in his business account to show for it.
Hearing him talk about this made me think deeply about the difference between vanity metrics and real business growth. Omar explained that the turning point came when he stopped chasing views and started focusing on three critical elements: messaging, visuals, and audience clarity. That’s when he started making real money from his content.
Since then, he’s grown over 200,000 Instagram followers in under 18 months, and from watching his journey, I noticed two major mistakes that many entrepreneurs tend to make on Instagram:
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Trying to stand out while still copying what everyone else is doing.
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Over-relying on talking-head videos instead of tapping into Instagram’s real strength: visual storytelling.
The Instagram Advantage
Omar’s perspective made me appreciate Instagram’s unique position even more. It balances TikTok’s fast growth and YouTube’s long-term staying power. According to him, while YouTube is the “grandfather” platform and the ultimate endgame, Instagram is the perfect middle ground for entrepreneurs looking to grow quickly and monetize effectively.
One key insight he shared is that over 70% of people watch Instagram videos with the sound off. This makes it crucial to communicate your message within the first 10 seconds visually. You’re losing potential engagement if someone can’t understand your point visually right away.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what Omar emphasizes consistently:
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Use props to create visually engaging content
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Build strong title hooks — visual headlines that grab attention even when muted
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Prioritize the first 10–15 seconds to capture and hold viewers’ attention
One point that really stuck with me was how critical the visual headline is. Omar said he’s tested it repeatedly: if the visual hook isn’t strong, the video flops, no matter how good the content itself is.
Simplify Your Message
While watching Omar Eltakrori share his insights, one of the first points that stood out was simplifying your message. Omar explained that many real experts struggle with content because they’re used to speaking with industry jargon to other professionals. But when creating content for a broader audience, you have to meet people where they are, not where you are.
He mentioned that nobody really cares about complicated industry terminology. What they care about is how your solution addresses their problems. For example, if you’re a financial advisor talking about passive income, he suggested not leading with technical investment terms. Instead, lead with a relatable pain point, like “If you don’t watch this video, you’ll lose $1,000.”
Omar wasn’t encouraging negativity — he made it clear that talking about pain points speaks to people’s immediate concerns, while talking about pleasure often feels distant and requires more effort for people to connect with.
Content Creation Framework
Another part of Omar’s video that really stood out was his simple content framework for entrepreneurs struggling with what to post. He broke it down like this:
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Create 30 ideas across three categories:
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10 ideas for newcomers to your industry
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10 ideas focused on immediate implementation (what someone can act on within 24 hours)
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10 ideas that give people a taste of what it’s like to work with you
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Then, execute each idea in three different formats:
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Talking head (straightforward delivery)
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Green screen with supporting visuals (like articles or graphics)
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Stitching or reacting to another authority in your space
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According to Omar, this approach ensures that you create a wide variety of content while speaking to different segments of your audience.
Consistency Trumps Perfection
One thing Omar said that really resonated with me was about consistency. He talked about how one of his favorite compliments is when someone says, “I’ve been following you for a long time.” That kind of loyalty only happens when you show up consistently over time.
He pointed out that many entrepreneurs think they’re being consistent when posting 15 times in three months, but that’s not enough in the world of short-form content. If your audience doesn’t get information from you regularly, they’ll find it elsewhere—and possibly buy from someone else.
For Instagram specifically, Omar recommended posting once per day as a solid target and twice per day as the ideal. This posting rhythm helps you reach different audience segments without overwhelming them.
He also emphasized that every viewer is a person, not just a number. If you want to build a real audience, you must be willing to engage — for example, responding to DMs instead of just chasing follower counts. Entrepreneurs who win are the ones who give value in public through their content and move their selling efforts into private conversations like DMs and stories.
Final Thoughts
The biggest thing I took away from watching Omar’s video is that the path to monetization isn’t complicated — it just requires a strong commitment to simplicity and consistency. By focusing on clear messaging, strong visuals, and a real connection with your audience, you can build a business that succeeds even without chasing viral numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How important is it to hire an editor for content creation?
An editor should be one of the first people you hire for your content team. Many entrepreneurs are reluctant to record content because they know they must edit it afterward. This creates a mental block that limits production. When you have an editor, you can record 30 pieces of content and send them all over without worrying about the time investment. Think of it as freeing up 7+ hours weekly that you could spend on vision, strategy, or family time.
Q: What’s the best way to convert Instagram followers into customers?
There are several effective approaches. You can use tools like ManyChat to create automated responses when people comment specific words on your posts. However, I recommend using this sparingly rather than on every post to maintain its effectiveness. Stories are another powerful conversion tool—I follow the principle “give value in public, sell in private.” Your Stories disappear after 24 hours, making them perfect for stronger calls to action without feeling overbearing. Also, don’t underestimate direct engagement—people who consistently watch your Stories are often your most likely buyers.
Q: Should I focus on growing a large audience first or monetizing a smaller one?
Focus on monetizing first. I’ve experienced firsthand that viral views don’t necessarily translate to income. You can make money with a relatively small following when you dial in on clear messaging, strong visuals, and a specific target audience. Many creators get caught in the trap of chasing followers without a monetization strategy. Remember that 200 engaged followers who trust you are more valuable than 20,000 who scroll past your content without taking action.
Q: How do you balance creating content that stands out while still being accessible?
The key is to pull from your unique experience while simplifying your delivery. I recommend creating content from five personal sources: your beliefs, principles, lessons, frameworks, and experiences. This ensures your content is authentic to you. Then, simplify your language to a third or fourth-grade level. Many experts feel uncomfortable doing this because they’re used to speaking with industry jargon, but simplification is what makes your content accessible to new audiences. The best content creators can explain complex concepts in ways anyone can understand.
Q: Is it possible to grow on Instagram if I’m not comfortable on camera?
Yes, but you’ll need to overcome that discomfort gradually. Start by talking about topics you genuinely know well—this reduces the cognitive load of being on camera. Don’t try to memorize scripts; instead, work from bullet points of ideas you understand deeply. Begin with unedited content rather than trying to perfect everything. Remember that stage fright is normal, but it diminishes with practice. The only way past this barrier is through it—start creating content only you can make, based on your unique knowledge and experience, and the comfort will develop over time.
