Get to 100k+ Followers Fast: Strategies from Content Prodigy Jay Yang

This week, we’re joined by Jay Yang, Head of Content to Noah Kagan, the founder of AppSumo.

At just 18 years old, Jay has amassed over 100,000 followers through his content creation strategies while maintaining excellent grades at the University of Illinois.

In this episode of “Uploading…,” Jay shares his journey from experimenting with various online projects to landing an opportunity to work with Noah Kagan using his TAG method.

Jay discusses his content creation process, balancing his work with education, and overcoming imposter syndrome. He also shares insights into his upcoming project on creating accessible social content templates for beginner creators.

Fav Quotes From Episode #24

Mastering Empathy in Business: “I think the greatest skill you can learn as a marketer, a creator, an entrepreneur, even just as a person, is empathy and being able to place yourself in someone else's shoes.” — Jay Yang [00:08:00 → 00:08:10]

Keys to Building Professional Relationships: “I think that strategy of where most people ask, how can I help you? Or what can I do to work for you for free? The problem with that approach is that by asking, without showing, you're actually making the other person do more work to figure out who you are and if you're any good and what you can actually help with... And so the question that I ask myself, and I encourage people listening to this to ask is, how can I make this a no brainer for the other person? And that kind of ties back into that empathy, right? Putting yourself in the other person's perspective... To work with your favorite entrepreneur or company, basically, you need to show two things, that, number one, you want the job, and number two, that you can do the job. And the best way that I believe you can do that is to do the work upfront, to use the TAG method, to do what I like to call pre-work. And I think the coolest thing about this approach is you don't have to have any experience or, you know, credibility or a degree." — Jay Yang [00:12:46 → 00:13:13]

Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in Content Creation: “I only have to be one chapter ahead of the textbook of life. Like, you don't have to be the guru preaching at the top of the mountain. You just have to be one or two steps ahead of the people behind you and the people you're sharing content to. So that's kind of what I'm realizing is, as I grow my brand, I'm not trying to be the professor at the front of the class. The way I like to view myself is as that kid in the back sharing his notes with the rest of his classmates.” — Jay Yang, [00:25:21 → 00:25:49]

3 Strategies for Success From Jay Yang

1. Unlock opportunities with the TAG method

Wanna catch the attention of your ideal employer or client? Jay Yang says the key is to lead with value and do what he calls the “pre-work” following his TAG method.

TAG stands for Target, Audit, Gift—a three-step process that makes you the obvious choice in a sea of generic resumes.

The first step is to get crystal clear on who you want to work with. This could be a specific company or entrepreneur that you admire and feel drawn to. Do your research, study their work, and understand their mission, values, and pain points.

Next, conduct a thorough audit of their business. Look for areas where you could make a real impact. What challenges are they facing that you could solve? What gaps or opportunities do you see?

Finally, package your insights and ideas into a gift to offer them. This could be in the form of a personalized proposal, sample work, or even just some helpful advice.

Jay says he used this same method to land a job with Beehiiv and eventually become the Head of Content to Noah Kagan.

At its heart, the TAG method is about empathy. It’s about understanding the other person’s needs and showing you have the skills to meet those needs.

Next time you're applying for a job or pitching to a potential client, give the TAG method a try. It could be just what you need to stand out and land your dream opportunity.

2. Embrace the power of “one step ahead”

One of the biggest roadblocks aspiring creators face is the belief that they need years of experience and a laundry list of accomplishments before they can start sharing their knowledge with the world. They get stuck in a cycle of waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect level of expertise, the perfect platform—and as a result, they never actually start creating.

But the truth is, you don't need to be the world's leading expert on a topic to make an impact. You just need to be one chapter ahead of your audience.

Instead of waiting until you've "made it" to start putting yourself out there, document your journey as you go. Share the lessons you're learning, the mistakes you're making, and the strategies you're testing in real-time.

Be transparent about the fact that you're still figuring things out—chances are, your audience is in the same boat and will appreciate your relatability.

This approach takes the pressure off of being perfect and allows you to build a loyal, engaged community that grows alongside you. As you continue to learn and evolve, so too will your content and the value you're able to provide. And before you know it, you'll have established yourself as a go-to resource in your niche.

3. Streamline content creation with templates

Content creation can be time-consuming, especially when starting from scratch every time. Templates can make this process a lot quicker and easier.

Think of templates as training wheels for your writing. When you're first starting out, templates provide the support and guidance you need to draft your content. But as you progress, you can start to experiment and be more creative.

Not only do templates save you time and mental energy, but they also help ensure that your content is always on point and aligned with your goals. By having a set of proven structures at your fingertips, you can focus less on the mechanics of writing and more on the message you want to convey.

Of course, the key to using templates effectively is to avoid being overly formulaic or generic. The goal is to use them as a starting point, not a final destination. Infuse your own personality, experiences, and perspectives into each piece of content you create, and always be testing and iterating.

With templates in your content creation toolkit, you'll be able to create a steady stream of high-value content in a fraction of the time. That means more content, better quality, and less stress for you.

We're excited to be part of your journey to turn content into business.

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Until next week, keep uploading…