#309 100K Followers in 5 Weeks: Trial Reels, Speed to Value & Viral Formats With Chris Chung

Today's guest is Chris Chung, a content creator and attention strategist with over 160,000 followers on Instagram. After managing more than $20 million in ad spend, he now breaks down the psychology behind personal branding and Instagram marketing, and what makes short-form content capture attention and go viral.   In this episode, we dive into how Chris gained 100,000 followers in only five weeks, why Instagram Trial Reels is the most underrated growth feature, and how to find viral formats in other niches. He also explains his speed-to-value framework, his South Park storytelling trick, and how to write scripts with rhythm.   We also get into daily posting versus batch filming, why you should repost your winning videos, and how to reactivate an old Instagram account. Plus, Chris shares his advice for starting a personal brand in 2026 and his "imitate, innovate, originate" path from 0 to 100,000 followers.   If you're looking to grow on Instagram, build a personal brand, or turn short-form content into clients, this is the episode for you. Let's get into it.   Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call   My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl   Read more about Smartphone Freedom Lifestyle: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com   As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market.   Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamchrischung   Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/   Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow   Timestamps: 0:00 Chris Chung's Instagram Attention Strategy 1:54 From $30M in Paid Ads to Organic 4:44 Copywriting and Old Psychology Books for Content 8:53 How Dating Coaching Taught Persuasion Skills 11:53 How AI Changes the Way We Think 13:49 Audiobooks, Listening Speed and Dopamine 18:27 Chris's Instagram Journey From Fashion to Marketing 20:43 Testing Breakdown Videos Until One Worked 23:16 Gaining 100K Followers in Five Weeks 27:30 Why Trial Reels Reach New Audiences 33:54 Filming One Video in Five Versions 36:20 Why Content Is Easiest and Hardest Now 37:58 Staying Relevant After One Viral Video 39:37 Reposting Winning Videos Until They Stop Working 45:16 Finding Viral Formats From Other Niches 48:56 Why Vulnerability Makes Content Perform 54:31 South Park Zigzag Storytelling Technique 56:07 Best Video Length: 30 to 45 Seconds 58:02 Speed to Value Format Explained 1:02:03 Writing Script Rhythm and Emphasizing Key Words 1:05:03 Posting Daily vs Batch Filming 1:12:50 Pre-Recording Routine and Avoiding Coffee 1:14:36 Morning Scripting and Recording Workflow 1:15:34 Filming Outdoors and Standing Out From Copycats 1:19:54 Camera Setup and Reading Scripts on Screen 1:23:53 Hiring for Content: Creative Director vs Ideation 1:27:17 Editing With Instagram Edits vs CapCut 1:28:12 How to Revive an Old Instagram Account 1:30:16 Meeting Celebrities Through Social Media 1:34:22 Is It Harder to Get Paid as a Creator? 1:36:20 Advice for Starting a Personal Brand in 2026 1:39:23 Why No One Is Original: Imitate, Innovate, Originate 1:45:32 Chris's Plan for YouTube and Funnel Content 1:47:43 Outworking Competitors Through Reps 1:49:35 Where to Follow and Contact Chris Chung

Today's guest is Ryan Magin, a short-form content expert who's built an audience of over 160,000 Instagram followers and generated over 100 million views. He's the founder of Viral Editz and Attention Media, and he’s behind Grant Cardone's explosive short-form growth.   In this episode, we dive into why the internet is shifting from an attention economy into a trust economy, and why Ryan's raw iPhone footage keeps outperforming his own $5,000-a-month studio setups. We break down the "followers per million" metric Ryan tracks obsessively, his three-take rule for filming reps, and why batching content beats filming day by day.   We also get into why women are dominating short-form growth right now, whether tattoos actually boost retention, the AI avatar experiment, and the "creative tax" nobody warns you about once you start posting at scale.   If you're looking for the real, unfiltered playbook behind viral short-form content… this is the episode for you. Enjoy.   Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call   My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl   Read more about Smartphone Freedom Lifestyle: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com   As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market.   Follow Ryan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanmagin   Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/   Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow   Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 0:01:15 – Ryan's "low effort, high volume" content philosophy 07:44 – Moving from the attention economy to the trust economy 0:10:11 – Why iPhone footage keeps beating pro camera setups 0:15:35 – The "followers per million" metric Ryan swears by 0:18:23 – How Tai Lopez turned his life into a mini soap opera 0:20:13 – Why women are growing faster than men on social media 0:29:51 – How to actually get good at speaking on camera 0:36:15 – Ryan's video reiteration process 0:39:46 – Why batching content beats filming day by day 0:45:14 – Building a home studio on a budget 0:52:01 – Why costly, effortful content performs better 0:58:22 – Do tattoos help you get more attention on camera? 0:59:47 – The AI avatar experiment that outperformed real videos 1:04:17 – Why the "female guru" wave keeps growing 1:10:07 – Why moms make some of the best content creators 1:13:00 – How to stand out when everyone makes content 1:16:18 – The hidden cost of being authentic online 1:18:25 – The "creative tax" nobody talks about 1:34:23 – Dealing with haters 1:46:59 – Why short form sells just as well as long form 1:48:57 – How to connect with Ryan

Today's guest is Ryan Magin, a short-form content expert who's built an audience of over 160,000 Instagram followers and generated over 100 million views. He's the founder of Viral Editz and Attention Media, and he’s behind Grant Cardone's explosive short-form growth.   In this episode, we dive into why the internet is shifting from an attention economy into a trust economy, and why Ryan's raw iPhone footage keeps outperforming his own $5,000-a-month studio setups. We break down the "followers per million" metric Ryan tracks obsessively, his three-take rule for filming reps, and why batching content beats filming day by day.   We also get into why women are dominating short-form growth right now, whether tattoos actually boost retention, the AI avatar experiment, and the "creative tax" nobody warns you about once you start posting at scale.   If you're looking for the real, unfiltered playbook behind viral short-form content… this is the episode for you. Enjoy.   Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call   My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl   Read more about Smartphone Freedom Lifestyle: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com   As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market.   Follow Ryan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanmagin   Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/   Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow   Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 0:01:15 – Ryan's "low effort, high volume" content philosophy 07:44 – Moving from the attention economy to the trust economy 0:10:11 – Why iPhone footage keeps beating pro camera setups 0:15:35 – The "followers per million" metric Ryan swears by 0:18:23 – How Tai Lopez turned his life into a mini soap opera 0:20:13 – Why women are growing faster than men on social media 0:29:51 – How to actually get good at speaking on camera 0:36:15 – Ryan's video reiteration process 0:39:46 – Why batching content beats filming day by day 0:45:14 – Building a home studio on a budget 0:52:01 – Why costly, effortful content performs better 0:58:22 – Do tattoos help you get more attention on camera? 0:59:47 – The AI avatar experiment that outperformed real videos 1:04:17 – Why the "female guru" wave keeps growing 1:10:07 – Why moms make some of the best content creators 1:13:00 – How to stand out when everyone makes content 1:16:18 – The hidden cost of being authentic online 1:18:25 – The "creative tax" nobody talks about 1:34:23 – Dealing with haters 1:46:59 – Why short form sells just as well as long form 1:48:57 – How to connect with Ryan

Today's guest is Oscar Owen, the #1 magic coach in the world turned YouTube strategist for brands like Red Bull, Disney and the BBC.   We dive deep into Oscar's story, from teaching magic tricks on YouTube to building a 1.5M subscriber channel with half a billion views. How did he land clients like Red Bull? Why did he hide his channel from everyone until 120K subscribers? What's killing most YouTube channels in the AI age?   If you're looking to grow on YouTube, land premium clients through content, or understand where social media is heading - you don't want to miss this episode.     Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call   My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl   Read more about Smartphone Freedom Lifestyle: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com   As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market.   Follow Oscar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/0scar/   Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow_business/ https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/   Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow   Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:58 - How Oscar Got Into Magic 06:10 - Developing His Own Magic Style 10:14 - How Involved Is Oscar in Editing? 12:48 - Clipping for Instagram & Short Form SOPs 15:12 - 0 to 300K on Instagram in 6 Months 17:23 - Why AI Content Is Dying on YouTube 20:04 - Speaking in Hooks & Recycling Content 23:01 - The Most Important Skill on Social Media 25:05 - Why the Hardest Part Is 0 to 1,000 Subs 27:44 - Reposting Strategy & Trial Reels 33:30 - How Oscar Built His YouTube Strategy Channel 37:03 - $50K With No Sales Page 40:12 - First Million in 5 Years, Second in 2 Months 41:39 - How much did Oscar pay for the domain? 42:37 - Closing B2B Clients Like Red Bull & Disney 48:00 - How Oscar Actually Landed Red Bull 52:02 - Max's Origin Story 59:06 - Doing What No One Else Is Willing to Do 1:00:18 - Why Information Is No Longer What People Pay For 1:03:50 - The Shift Back to Cinematic Content 1:07:01 - How Do You Apply This to a Faceless Brand? 1:11:02 - The Future of Media Is YouTube 1:16:36 - Every Creator Is a Media Company 1:19:23 - Why Organic Makes Your Ads Work Better 1:22:05 - The Selling Happens on YouTube 1:24:12 - Treating Content With the Same Respect as a Sales Call 1:26:34 - Outro

Today's guest is Jordan Lee — founder of AI Acquisition and one of the most forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the online space.   We dive deep into Jordan’s story, from dropping out of high school to building a nine-figure company. What was the catalyst for his success? When will AI replace salespeople? Does money bring happiness?   If you’re looking for entrepreneurial inspiration and cutting-edge insights on AI technology and business, you don’t want to miss this episode.     Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call   My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl   Read more about Smartphone Freedom Lifestyle: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com   As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market.   Follow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanlee__/   Subscribe to Jordan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanLeeGrowth   Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow_business/ https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/   Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow   Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 02:00 - AI Systems vs. Human Employees 12:00 - Jordan’s Background 14:14 - How to Create Real Wealth 19:05 - Personal Branding 23:20 - When Will AI Replace Salespeople? 27:10 - First AI System That Max Implemented 33:29 - From the Highest Highs to the Lowest Lows 41:20 - What Was the Catalyst for Jordan’s Success? 48:30 - How to Make Money with AI in 60 Seconds 49:15 - How to Go from Factory Worker to Multi-Millionaire 58:53 - Materialistic Things & Happiness 1:10:24 - Why Is the UK on a Downward Trajectory? 1:16:30 - What’s Next for Dubai? 1:19:26 - Wokeness & Raising Children 1:30:38 - Where Do Jordan’s Values Differ from His Wife’s? 1:34:00 - Would Jordan Support His Kids on Their Entrepreneurial Journeys? 1:39:03 - The Importance of Introspection & Innovation 1:49:53 - Will Jordan Work Less When He Has His First Child? 1:55:53 - B-Player Cleansing 2:02:25 - Outro

Today’s guest is Nick Santonastasso - entrepreneur, public speaker, and living example of what it means to turn obstacles into fuel for growth. In this episode, we dive into Nick’s story of how he moved to Dubai, broke into self-development, and went from unpaid intern to speaking in front of 50,000 people. He shares how he scared Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead, how COVID nearly crushed his business, and what it took to rebuild stronger than before. We also get real on deeper topics -— how to beat unhappiness, what to do when you feel alone, and why your inner dialogue shapes everything about your future. Plus, Nick opens up about his vision for the next chapter of his life and the future of public speaking. If you’re looking for raw inspiration, practical mindset shifts, and a masterclass on resilience - this is the episode for you. Let’s jump in with Nick Santonastasso.   Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl Read more about Freedom Business Mentoring: https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/maxtornow.com As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market. Follow Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicksantonastasso Follow Nick on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAJkxSoSaKXo8X9DwUjWGKg Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow_business/ https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/ Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 0:04:13 – Who is Nick Santonastasso? 0:05:12 – Nick's moving to Dubai 0:12:04 – How Nick got into self-development 0:19:59 – Getting started in public speaking 0:28:07 – Speaking in front of 50,000 people 0:37:06 – How COVID impacted Nick’s business 0:44:04 – The future of public speaking 0:47:06 – How to overcome unhappiness 0:53:04 – Advice for people who feel alone 0:57:55 – Nick’s plans for the future 1:03:41 – Where to find Nick

Today’s guest is Dominik Rieger, better known as heyDominik - a content creator, agency founder, and one of the sharpest minds when it comes to growth and monetization on Instagram. In this episode, we dive deep into how he went from launching his first YouTube channel to blowing up to 30 million views in just 40 days, how much you can earn from massive reach, and the clever tactics he used to trick the Instagram algorithm to go viral. We also explore the mindset behind publishing content, breaking through creative fear, and why so many people are unhappy - even in the creator economy. Plus, we cover AI’s impact on the future of Instagram, working with niche content, and how even the oldest creator he’s seen found wild success online. If you’re looking to grow, monetize, or simply stay ahead of the curve - this is the episode for you. Let’s jump in with Dominik Rieger. Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl Read more about Freedom Business Mentoring: https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/maxtornow.com As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market. Follow Dominik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heydominik Follow Dominik on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heyDominik Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow_business/ https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/ Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 0:01:09 – How Max and Dominik Met 0:06:30 – How Dominik Started His YouTube Channel 0:18:49 – How Dominik Blew Up on Instagram 0:22:25 – How to Grow to 30M Views in 40 Days 0:25:40 – How Much You Can Make with 30M Views 0:36:30 – How to Overcome the Barrier That Stops You from Posting 0:39:59 – How to Trick the Instagram Algorithm to Go Viral 0:55:21 – Why People Are Unhappy 1:05:18 – The Fastest Way to Monetize Content 1:12:10 – The Oldest Person Dominik Saw Succeed on Instagram 1:13:00 – The Future of Instagram 1:19:11 – How AI Will Change Instagram 1:25:38 – The Part of Being a Content Creator No One Talks About 1:34:10 – Working with Exotic Niches   1:45:00 – What’s the Future of heyDominik   1:46:24 – The Biggest Opportunities for IG Content Creators Right Now   1:52:13 – How to Find Dominik

Today’s guest is Janina Karelly, entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Addicted to Models, one of Austria’s leading international modeling agencies working with brands like Gucci, Prada, and Vogue. She’s not just a force in fashion; she’s also the founder of The Vision Agency, a creative marketing firm, and a passionate advocate for women in business, financial literacy, and wealth building. In this episode, we dive into the realities of building a global brand, navigating the modeling world, and creating financial freedom through entrepreneurship and smart investing. Please welcome Janina Karelly. Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl Read more about Freedom Business Mentoring: https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/maxtornow.com As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market. Follow Janina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janinakarelly Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow_business/ https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/ Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 0:02:47 - How many businesses Janina has   0:03:55 - How Janina started her modeling agency   0:06:51 - Challenges of running a modeling agency   0:13:44 - What models can do to become the next big thing   0:19:53 - The future of modeling   0:25:03 - What led to opening the social media agency   0:33:54 - Struggles women face in business   0:36:55 - How to fully automate your social media agency   0:39:55 - How to find viral content for brands like Rolls-Royce   0:46:56 - How investing in real estate led to starting a real estate agency   0:57:17 - Risks in the real estate business   1:01:52 - Where Janina sees her future with her personal brand   1:04:58 - How to protect yourself from envy   1:16:10 - Character traits needed to become an entrepreneur   1:27:11 - Are more women getting into entrepreneurship nowadays?   1:39:53 - Janina's primary and secondary skills   1:51:52 - How to spot good real estate opportunities in Austria   2:00:23 - How to find Janina  

Today’s guest is living proof that sales can transform lives. From humble beginnings to dominating high-ticket sales and training thousands of students, he’s built a reputation as one of the sharpest sales minds in the game. Founder of Sales Domination and a powerful voice in personal growth, he’s not just teaching people how to close — he’s showing them how to change their lives through mindset, skill, and relentless action. And if that wasn’t enough, he also made waves in the music world as DJ Andy Been, proving success can come in many forms when you master your craft. Get ready to learn the real secrets of selling, scaling, and staying driven. Please welcome — Andy Been. Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl Read more about Freedom Business Mentoring: https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/maxtornow.com As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market. Follow Andy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andybeenofficial Follow Andy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Andybeenofficial Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow_business/ https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/ Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 0:01:01 - The reason Andy moved to Dubai 0:09:45 - How it all started for Andy 0:18:36 - Why being authentic is the key 0:23:11 - Key factors to crush it in sales 0:30:38 - The most common objections and how to solve them 0:42:04 - How to handle the "I need to sleep on it" objection 0:48:58 - How Andy started working with Andy Elliot 1:17:02 - How to raise your kids 1:19:26 - Andy's day-to-day life 1:26:13 - Will future generations have it easier or harder than us? 1:34:42 - The future of sales 1:37:35 - Where to find Andy

Today’s guest is one of the sharpest minds in the world of online business and e-learning. He scaled his knowledge-based company to over $16 million in sales and exited for a life-changing, multi-seven-figure deal — joining the elite ranks alongside names like Alex Hormozi and Sam Ovens. Author of the powerful guide How To: $10M — Sell Your Knowledge and Make Millions, he breaks down exactly how entrepreneurs can turn expertise into scalable, high-revenue businesses. Get ready for a deep dive into what it really takes to spot profitable opportunities, create irresistible offers, and scale to the millions — without the fluff. Please welcome — William Brown. Apply now for a free consultation call to start your own online business: https://maxtornow.com/call My secret video to instantly go viral (just like Mr. Beast) 👇 https://smartphonefreedomlifestyle.com/instant-viral-trick/?el=podcastviralvsl Read more about Freedom Business Mentoring: https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/maxtornow.com As one of the most influential online business consultants Max Tornow has built several multiple-7-figure companies in the online coaching, consulting and agency market. Follow William on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willia_mbrown Follow William on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@willia_mbrown Check out William's live virtual event: https://infotoexit.com/ Follow Max Tornow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow_business/ https://www.instagram.com/max_tornow/ Subscribe to Max's YouTube channel for more business & lifestyle content: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxTornow Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 0:01:22 - William's DJ career 0:05:05 - How it all started for William 0:15:08 - How William started working in real estate 0:23:54 - Differences between real estate in different countries 0:28:37 - How fear can impact your business 0:36:36 - Dealing with good ideas 0:40:42 - How to attract good energy 0:45:44 - The team behind William Brown 1:02:48 - How to write a book 1:06:54 - How William started on YouTube 1:13:37 - The next big move 1:19:00 - What makes the biggest names in the industry stand out? 1:28:55 - The "Cleansing" and why it is important 1:34:46 - Why you need to overcommunicate 1:36:08 - Can anyone build a business, and what does it take? 1:43:38 - Should you follow your passion? 1:50:37 - How to get to $10K a month 1:53:13 - How to find William