5
I’m 17. No cash, no diploma, no feature, nothing like that, only my phone, some internet connection and this mind-state that I was not going to sit around and wait
r/SideProject
7/10/2025
Content Summary
A 17-year-old shares their journey of growing Instagram pages through experimentation with viral content mechanics. Starting with anime edits and motivational reels, they learned to create shareable content and monetize through digital product sales. Key strategies include consistency, data analysis via IG Insights, and leveraging Reddit/Telegram for outreach. Comments suggest tools like CapCut and Buffer for scaling, with emphasis on email list building for product launches.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinions praise the author's hustle mentality and focus on experimentation. Commenters emphasize data-driven approaches ("track every post with IG Insights") and cross-platform scaling. Controversy exists around AI-generated content suspicions ("Which generated this spam for you? ChatGPT?"). Debates center on automation vs. authenticity - while some recommend tools like Buffer for efficiency, others criticize perceived inauthenticity. A key divide exists between "growth-at-all-costs" and organic community-building approaches.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| https://instagram.com | Social Media | Page growth, reel analytics, content sharing | |
| CapCut | https://capcut.com | Video Editing | Batch-producing reels, editing tools |
| Canva | https://canva.com | Design | Creating reel covers and visual content |
| Buffer | https://buffer.com | Social Scheduling | Post scheduling automation |
| CreatorKit | [Not specified] | Automation | Social media automation tools |
| Pulse | [Not specified] | Analytics | Reddit niche question tracking for content ideas |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Lack of resources (money, courses, mentors)
- Difficulty understanding viral content mechanics
- Scaling content production manually
Problems to Solve:
- Growing social media pages organically
- Monetizing digital products effectively
- Finding reliable automation tools
Potential Solutions:
- Use IG Insights to track post performance
- Batch-produce content with CapCut/Canva
- Build email lists for product launches
- Repurpose content across platforms (TikTok Shorts)
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Data-driven experimentation with content
- Cross-platform content repurposing
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Direct outreach via DMs
- Free lead magnets (mini-ebooks) for email list building
- Reddit/TikTok as traffic sources
Monetization & Product:
- Start with low-ticket PLR products
- Upsell to higher-ticket digital products
- Focus on "save/share" oriented content
User Engagement:
- Consistent posting schedules
- Community interaction through AMAs
- Viral hook optimization in reels