From 10K to 10 Million Views: Brendan Kane's Blueprint for Social Media Dominance
Friday, May 02, 2025
The Content Format Strategy That Will Explode Your Social Media Growth
From 10K to 10 Million Views: Brendan Kane's Blueprint for Social Media Dominance
Hey guys, I've got something super cool to share with you today that could completely transform your social media results. Most of us bounce between random content types, wondering why some posts barely get any traction while others explode. I'm going to show you exactly why that happens and how to fix it.
I recently had the chance to sit down with Brendan Kane, who flew all the way to Boise to work with my team on our social media strategy. This guy is literally the best in the business - he's generated over 60 BILLION views and 100 million followers across different platforms. I took the opportunity to pick his brain about the science behind viral content, and what he shared blew my mind.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
This game-changing episode reveals:
- The #1 reason most launches flop—and how to reverse it with one simple shift
- The two paths to traffic—and which one works best if you're just starting out
- The Dream 100 method for tapping into other people’s audiences
- Why publishing consistently is the fastest way to find your voice and build trust
- How to craft offers your audience already wants—before writing a single sales page
Why Most Social Media Content Gets Stuck at 10K Views
You know what's crazy? Most of us are approaching social media completely backwards! I asked Brendan about this because we've hit this same problem at ClickFunnels - we'd have peaks and valleys where some content would do well, then we'd struggle to replicate it.
Here's the big mistake almost everyone makes: treating social media like a side project instead of a system that needs to be mastered.
"Just because you can pull out your phone, press record and post something, doesn't mean it will work," Brendan told me. "It's a blessing because social media has truly democratized communication. But the downside is everybody thinks it should just be that easy."
This reminds me so much of what happens with sales funnels. People come to me all the time saying, "Russell, I built a funnel but it's not working!" Just having a funnel doesn't guarantee sales, and just posting content doesn't guarantee views.
The difference comes down to:
- Understanding specific content formats that consistently perform
- Mastering the subtle details that make or break performance
- Staying consistent with one approach instead of jumping around
The "Format Approach" That Changes Everything
One of the biggest lightbulb moments for me was when Brendan started talking about "formats" instead of just content ideas. Think about it like this:
"The perfect analogy is like there's different types of funnels," Brendan explained. "There's a book funnel, there's a VSL funnel, there's a webinar funnel... each requires its own nuance of how to execute on it."
This makes so much sense! Just like I wouldn't expect someone to master ALL types of funnels at once, we shouldn't be trying to master every content type on social media simultaneously.
Some of the formats Brendan mentioned that are crushing it right now:
Man on the Street: Approaching strangers for interactions (like Alex Temp who built a 20 million follower audience with this format)
Two Characters, One Light Bulb: Playing both an expert and novice to explain complex topics simply
Side-by-Side Comparisons: Breaking down why nearly identical content pieces perform differently (this is what Brendan does on his own Instagram)
What's fascinating is that Brendan has identified around 220 different formats, with his team researching 3-5 new ones every week. But the key isn't trying them all - it's picking ONE and mastering it completely.
"Before I ever show them how much my solution costs if they say yes, I show them how much it costs to say no to my solution."
The Gold, Silver, Bronze Method (This Is Genius!)
Okay, this system Brendan shared is absolute gold. If you want to master any content format, here's how to do it:
1. Pick ONE Format and Commit to It
Choose something that aligns with your message and that you'll enjoy creating consistently.
2. Study the Gold Standard (Top Performers)
Find 10-20 examples of content using your chosen format that got millions of views. What specific elements are consistent across these high performers?
3. Compare with Silver Performers (Average Results)
Next, look at 10-20 examples using the same format that got average results (hundreds of thousands of views).
4. Analyze Bronze Content (Underperformers)
Finally, study 10-20 examples of the same format that barely performed (less than 100K views).
The magic happens when you compare all three levels to identify what Brendan calls "performance drivers" - specific contextual elements that make the difference between viral success and mediocrity.
"What we're looking for is what's happening in those high performers that's not happening in those low performers," Brendan told me. "Not from a content perspective, but from a context perspective."
This reminds me so much of how I analyze funnels! I'll take a successful funnel and a struggling one, and compare them side-by-side to spot the tiny differences that create massive results.
The 3-Second Rule That Could Double Your Views
This next part seriously blew my mind. Brendan explained that there are two core metrics that drive virality:
- Stopping the scroll
- Holding attention (retention)
And the most critical moment? The first THREE SECONDS of your video!
"Most people are messing up those first 3 seconds because they have too much going on," Brendan explained. "They have a caption or a title card, captions, and somebody speaking at the same time, so there's three different things that somebody has to focus on."
The result? "Once the subconscious feels like it's getting left behind, it's just going to move on to the next video."
The solution is super simple but most people miss it: establish a clear visual hierarchy in those opening moments.
Focus on EITHER speaking, a caption, OR a title card - but don't try to do all three at once.
How Small Details Create Massive View Differences
Want to hear something crazy? Brendan told me about an analysis they did comparing two videos from the same creator:
"We did a breakdown of [Alex Temp's] most viewed video, which is 100 million views on TikTok, versus another video that was 5 million views. The retention graph on the hundred million view video was 27 seconds versus the 5 million view one was 21 seconds."
That's just a SIX SECOND difference in average watch time... but it resulted in a 95 MILLION view differential! This is the same thing I see with funnels all the time - tiny tweaks creating massive results.
Brendan shared another example where they studied a video showing concrete being poured on a thin piece of wood versus a thick piece. The thin piece created anxiety for viewers (will it break?), and that one subtle difference resulted in millions more views.
How Algorithms Really Work (Not What You Think!)
Brendan busted a huge myth about social media algorithms. They're NOT designed to suppress your reach and force you to pay for ads. That's totally backwards!
"The algorithms are designed to do one thing and that's keep people on the platforms longer. The longer they're watching your videos, the more ads they can serve, the more profit they generate."
Here's how it actually works:
- When you post, the platform shows it to a small test audience (around 100 people)If those viewers engage strongly, the algorithm expands your reach
- If engagement stays strong through several benchmarks, your reach continues growing
- If engagement drops at any point, the algorithm cuts your reach
This explains why some creators with huge followings sometimes get surprisingly low views - it's not about follower count, but about how engaging each specific piece is!
When To Add Calls-To-Action (Without Killing Performance)
I had to ask Brendan about this because it's such a big question for all of us - when and how do you add promotional elements without tanking your engagement?
His advice was gold:
- Master your format FIRST before adding any calls-to-action
- Place CTAs three-fourths through your video (not at the very end where they'll get cut off)
- Keep CTAs subtle and natural within your content
- Consider boosting organic winners with paid promotion once they plateau
Brendan shared a perfect example of a leather craftsman who went from 2,000 followers to 2.5 million using a format called "Is It Worth It?" - where he deconstructs luxury bags to determine if they're worth their price tags.
The crazy part? He doesn't even include calls-to-action in his content! He simply has a link in his bio, and because he's built so much trust, he consistently sells out his most expensive inventory.
Which Platform Should You Focus On First?
Here's another big takeaway - you don't need to be everywhere at once! When I asked Brendan which platform to focus on first, here's what he said:
For most businesses just starting with social media, Instagram Reels offers the best opportunity right now. It's easier to generate leads there than on other platforms.
Once you've mastered one platform, you can consider expanding to others:
- TikTok: Similar to Reels but requires platform-specific adjustments
- YouTube: Needs a completely different format approach
- Facebook: Still viable but with specific format requirements
Brendan's team is currently focusing on Instagram Reels and expanding to long-form YouTube content. They're not trying to master TikTok simultaneously - they're simply reposting their Instagram content there without expectations of massive performance.
Your Action Plan For Explosive Social Media Growth
- Choose ONE format on ONE platform to focus on (I'd recommend starting with Instagram Reels)
- Research successful examples of your chosen format extensively
- Create a script template that incorporates key performance drivers
- Test consistently within that format, analyzing results after each attempt
- Master one format completely before expanding to others
The most important thing? Consistency within your chosen format. As Brendan emphasized: "Just that process of mastering one sets you up for success to master the next one."
And remember - ANY subject can go viral with the right approach. "Taxes go viral, insurance goes viral, real estate, nutrition - we've worked in all these industries and we have research to prove that any subject matter can go viral. It's just the way that you're contextualizing it."
Additional Resources for Social Media Growth
Ready to implement these strategies in your own business? Check out these essential resources:
Join Russell's 3-day virtual event where you'll learn the exact framework for "one-to-many" selling that can help you sell anything to anyone online - even if you're an introvert with zero followers!
The #1 funnel builder on the planet that helps you convert your online visitors into paying customers - with the easiest to use, fastest, and most optimized platform for turning clicks into cash!
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Your Questions About Social Media Growth Answered
How many content pieces should I create before I can expect results?
Brendan recommends creating at least 10 pieces in your chosen format before evaluating whether it's working. With each iteration, you'll learn and improve. His clients typically see 3 out of 10 videos perform well in their first batch, improving to 7 out of 10 as they master the format.
What if my industry isn't "exciting" enough for social media?
This is a myth! According to Brendan, any subject matter can achieve viral reach with the right contextual execution. Success depends not on what you're talking about, but how you present it using proven format structures.
Should I focus on views or conversions from my social media?
Start by focusing on mastering your content format and building trust. Once you've achieved consistent viewership, gradually incorporate subtle calls-to-action. As Brendan puts it, "Organic is all about getting people to know, like, and trust you" - and once you have that, conversions follow naturally.
Can I use the same content across multiple platforms?
While you can repurpose content across platforms, don't expect identical performance. Each platform has unique requirements, and content often needs specific adjustments to perform well. Master one platform first before expanding to others.
Want to dive deeper into Brendan's social media strategy? Visit HookPoint.com/Russell to download a free copy of his book, "The Guide to Going Viral."
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