How I Automated My Social Media Growth to 100K Followers

Introduction: The Challenge That Changed Everything

I wanted to make a million dollars in 100 days using AI. That was the goal I publicly announced, inviting everyone to follow my journey. The response was immediate – comments flooded in with people saying, “I’ve never been so invested in someone’s life before.” What they didn’t know was that this challenge would transform into something far more significant than a financial experiment. It would become the foundation of my approach to social media growth, personal branding, and ultimately, staying valuable in the age of artificial intelligence.

When I was younger, a family member I deeply respected asked me about my plans. At that time, I was a stubborn young man with entrepreneurial ambitions. I confidently told him I wanted to open a barbershop – I knew how to cut hair, had good relationships, and believed I could build something successful. His response? “Why don’t you do something a little more possible?” That moment changed everything for me. I decided then that I would no longer share my visions with others before bringing them to life. I would simply execute them and let the results speak for themselves.

I’ve failed countless times trying to create content and find my voice online. For anyone feeling stuck in their content creation journey, my advice is simple – just make the next video. Keep going, and eventually, you’ll find yourself through the process. That’s exactly what happened to me, and it can happen for you too. The growth I experienced wasn’t an overnight success – it was the culmination of persistence, strategic thinking, and leveraging AI as a collaborative partner rather than just a tool.

When my friend Dom Ashburn (known online as Mr. Grateful) faced the challenge of growing his following, he took an unconventional approach. Already an expert on AI who had worked with major companies like Meta, Adobe, and Mind Valley, Dom decided to use ChatGPT as his social media manager. He gave it a seemingly impossible challenge: get him to 100,000 followers in just 30 days. The results were astonishing – he reached that milestone in only 22 days. By the time we connected, he had already surpassed 300,000 followers.

What makes Dom’s approach unique is his collaborative relationship with AI. In our conversations, he pulled out his phone to demonstrate how he works with ChatGPT to grow an audience. He didn’t just use generic prompts – he built a relationship with the AI, teaching it about his brand values, communication style, and goals. This partnership allowed him to create authentic content that resonated with his audience while maintaining his unique voice and perspective. The strategy wasn’t just about growing numbers – it was about building a sustainable creator business.

Dom’s Instagram bio states “Stay valuable in the age of AI,” while his LinkedIn profile mentions his mission to “keep humans valuable in the age of AI by teaching them how to use cutting-edge technology.” When I asked him to explain this perspective, he shared insights that challenge common narratives about artificial intelligence. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, he sees it as an opportunity for humans to reconnect with their authentic selves and focus on what truly matters.

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.

Understanding AI’s True Potential: Beyond the Fear

In the age of AI, tech companies are working toward a future where artificial intelligence can perform any task across all domains. Sam Altman and others are investing billions in pursuit of AGI (artificial general intelligence) – systems that can work across domains rather than the narrow AI we currently use for specific tasks like language generation or autonomous driving. When we reach that level of technological advancement, much of the work we currently identify with may become irrelevant.

This potential shift raises profound questions about human identity. When someone asks what you do, they’re typically inquiring about your profession – what you do to make a living. Many people strongly identify with their careers, sometimes feeling embarrassed if they don’t have a prestigious or well-defined professional path. But what happens when AI can perform most traditional jobs better than humans? What will we identify with then?

Some experts predict AGI could arrive as soon as 2027 – not decades away, but just a few years from now. Dom believes the key to staying valuable in this rapidly approaching future is to understand your true nature beyond your professional identity. That’s why he offers meditations and focuses on helping people discover who they truly are, what they want, and how they want to live their lives authentically.

This perspective represents an opportunity to choose how we want to live rather than following predetermined paths or meeting others’ expectations. With the inevitability of technological advancement and our own mortality, Dom encourages people to make conscious choices about their lives now. He helps people navigate this transition by guiding them toward self-understanding and authenticity in an age where traditional metrics of success may be redefined.

Many experts paint a doomsday scenario regarding AI’s impact. Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, described AI as “the most existential challenge humanity will ever face,” suggesting it’s “bigger than climate change, way bigger than COVID.” This perspective dominates mainstream discussions about artificial intelligence. However, Dom offers a refreshingly different outlook that emphasizes possibility over fear.

Finding Optimism in Technological Evolution

When Dom was a child, he visited Kings Island amusement park in Cincinnati. For him, the thrilling roller coasters represented freedom, fun, and possibility – his personal utopia. He draws a parallel between that childlike excitement and his current optimistic approach to AI. If he had spent the entire drive to the amusement park worrying about potential dangers, he would have missed the joy of the experience.

Dom believes in the power of visualization and the human mind’s ability to create what we imagine. He points out that most popular media depictions of AI future scenarios – from The Terminator to 2001: A Space Odyssey – portray destruction and conflict. These negative visualizations have planted seeds of fear in our collective consciousness. What’s missing, he argues, is a positive vision of what an AI-enhanced world could look like.

If we want to create a positive future with AI, we need to first imagine it as beneficial. Dom doesn’t dismiss legitimate safety concerns but believes we need balance – we must also plant seeds of optimism and possibility. Without positive visions to work toward, we risk creating exactly what we fear. By visualizing beneficial applications and outcomes, we help shape a future where AI enhances human experience rather than threatens it.

Super intelligence represents an AI capability beyond human comprehension – systems able to work across all domains of knowledge, speak all human and coding languages, potentially create their own languages, predict patterns, and create based on those predictions. Such intelligence would potentially control hardware and access systems worldwide. While this prospect frightens many people, Dom suggests fear itself might be more dangerous than thoughtful advancement.

He makes a compelling point about our thoughts manifesting reality – when we constantly push negative sentiments about AI, we may inadvertently push ourselves toward those scenarios. Dom’s content aims to balance the conversation, acknowledging risks while emphasizing potential benefits. This balanced perspective allows us to approach technological advancement with clarity rather than panic.

The Power of Visualization: Childhood Lessons

Dom’s approach to dreaming big began in elementary school. Working on a geography assignment, he wasn’t satisfied with simply coloring a map as instructed. Instead, he envisioned creating a three-dimensional model. With his father’s help, he collected materials – model trees, special glue for water effects, moss from the park – and created an elaborate settlement while classmates submitted simple drawings.

That experience taught him he could think beyond assignments and expectations. He could envision something greater, describe his vision to others, and build something that would impress everyone. This early lesson in visualization stayed with him, though he learned as an adult that people often respond to big visions with skepticism rather than support.

As people grow older, sharing visions becomes riskier. Dreams cost money, time, and energy – precious resources we must protect. Dom became more selective about sharing his ideas after experiencing pushback. However, he maintained his belief in perseverance despite doubts from others. He discovered that pushing through negativity allowed him to achieve what others considered impossible.

Dom approaches life as a scientific experiment rather than a series of goals. When you frame your aspirations as questions rather than fixed targets, you open yourself to possibility without attaching your identity to specific outcomes. Instead of declaring “I will become a billionaire,” he asks, “Can I become a billionaire?” This subtle shift separates your value from the result and maintains the childlike curiosity that leads to innovation.

This approach allows him to detach from outcomes while pursuing ambitious visions. It protects him from feeling like a failure when things don’t go as planned while preserving his ability to dream big. For ambitious people, this detachment is challenging but essential – the best results often come when we focus on the process rather than fixating on specific outcomes.

Finding Purpose Through Personal History

When asked why inspiring awe in others matters so much to him, Dom reflected on his relationship with his father, whom he lost as a teenager. His father never had much money but was constantly creating – writing poetry, building projects, crafting homemade props like a Ghostbusters proton pack. This creative spirit inspired Dom, and carrying it forward became a way to honor his father’s legacy.

By inspiring others through his work, Dom feels he’s giving meaning to his father’s life while reframing their relationship in a positive light. The desire to inspire has become both a driving force and occasionally a vice – sometimes pushing him to overcomplicate projects when simpler approaches might be more effective. He acknowledges he’s still finding balance in this area, determining how to make the greatest impact with the most flow.

Dom views this interview as capturing him in the middle of a chapter, actively reflecting on his direction. He hopes listeners in similar transitional periods will find comfort knowing that even someone with clarity about their motivations continues to evolve and question. His message is reassuring: if you have a vision, trust that it was given to you for a reason and will inevitably manifest. Give yourself space and grace through the process.

For dreamers with early aspirations, a challenging transition occurs when the world’s expectations intrude on childhood aspirations. While children are encouraged to dream about becoming firefighters, singers, or athletes, adults face pressure to be “realistic” and follow predetermined paths with specific timelines. This shift can be jarring and discouraging for creative minds.

Breaking From Convention: The Design School Decision

Dom attended the Design, Architecture, Art and Planning school at the University of Cincinnati, entering through their fashion program during a revolutionary period in design. Prominent Black designers like Virgil Abloh, Kanye West, Heron Preston, and others were transforming the fashion landscape. Though his goal was graphic design, he began with fashion foundations, enduring rigorous 80-hour weeks of coursework.

One night, exhausted but grateful for a rare four-hour sleep opportunity, Dom had an epiphany. He questioned whether the punishing schedule aligned with his true goals. The next day in portfolio class, instructors distributed lists of companies that hired from the school, instructing students to tailor their portfolios accordingly. That moment crystallized his realization that the institutional path didn’t align with his creative ambitions.

While a more mature perspective might have suggested completing school, gaining experience at established companies, and then pursuing independent work, Dom couldn’t continue on a path that felt misaligned with his intuition. After asking for guidance and receiving what felt like a clear answer, he made the difficult decision to leave school, despite knowing his family would disapprove.

Rather than abandoning his creative pursuits, Dom pivoted entrepreneurially. He opened a waffle stand in the school café with a friend named Brandon (coincidentally his father’s name), using the proceeds to purchase camera equipment and start a production company. Remarkably, his first client was his former sustainability professor, who trusted him with complete creative control over a promotional music video featuring 75 crew members.

This experience solidified Dom’s commitment to creating on his own terms. He established a standard for himself: he would only work on projects that gave him the autonomy to create with purpose and positive impact. This clarity created a definitive boundary – if an opportunity didn’t meet these criteria, he wouldn’t pursue it, regardless of the financial incentives.

Learning to Keep Visions Private Until Execution

After leaving school, Dom faced financial uncertainty as a young entrepreneur with a fledgling production agency. When he approached a family member with his idea to open a barbershop, he was met with discouragement: “Why don’t you do something a little more possible?” This response cemented his decision to stop sharing visions before executing them. Instead of seeking validation, he would show results.

This approach reflected a profound realization about time and opportunity. Dom came to understand that the future exists only as potential – the only moment that truly exists is now. This awareness shifted how he approached decisions, recognizing that waiting for the “right time” was an illusion. He needed to accept his current circumstances, decide what he wanted, and take immediate action.

Many people wait for perfect conditions or external validation before pursuing their dreams. Dom rejected this approach, choosing instead to trust his instincts and take calculated risks. He acknowledged that safety guarantees don’t exist – even conventional paths offer no certainty of success or fulfillment. This perspective freed him to pursue his authentic interests rather than conforming to others’ expectations.

This independence wasn’t born from recklessness but from a sense of divine protection throughout his life. Reflecting on moments when circumstances could have gone terribly wrong but somehow didn’t, he developed confidence that alignment with his highest ideals would protect him from significant harm. This belief gave him courage to take risks others might avoid.

Growing up with considerable freedom before smartphones and constant supervision fostered his independent spirit. Running freely outdoors until dark developed self-reliance that carried into adulthood. This foundation, combined with gratitude for having been protected through various life circumstances, created his willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of his visions.

The Pivot to Content Creation: Finding Success Through Failure

After multiple attempts to secure agency employment, Dom faced repeated rejection despite demonstrated skills. Without formal agency experience, recruiters hesitated to hire someone with his independent mindset. After numerous unsuccessful interviews and feeling at a breaking point, he considered abandoning his entrepreneurial path to pursue conventional employment.

Before giving up, Dom wrote down five intentions: finding a millionaire mentor, traveling the world, maintaining creative freedom, earning over $100,000 annually, and having the freedom to promote big ideas. He believed achieving these would bring feelings of courage, gratitude, calm, confidence, and satisfaction. Initially, he thought an agency position would fulfill these desires.

When agency doors remained closed, Dom decided to prove his value by creating content. With AI gaining prominence, he began making videos about how artificial intelligence could enhance creativity and business. To his surprise, this content resonated strongly with viewers who found tremendous value in his perspectives. The feelings of awe he inspired online mirrored what he experienced as a child bringing exceptional projects to class.

Through this unexpected path, Dom achieved all five intentions without securing an agency position. By sharing his ideas directly with audiences, he found a more authentic and impactful expression of his talents. What seemed like rejection became redirection toward a more aligned opportunity that fulfilled his deepest aspirations.

This pivot to content creation came after numerous failed attempts at building an online presence. Dom had previously tried being a “hypebeast” creator showcasing expensive shoes, creating educational carousel posts about branding, and even experimenting with rant videos. None of these approaches felt authentic or gained traction until he focused on providing genuine value through AI education.

The Agent GPT Challenge: A Strategic Experiment

After creating approximately fifteen videos, Dom sought a breakthrough strategy. During meditation, an idea formed – what if he used artificial intelligence to reach 100,000 followers in just 30 days? This challenge, which he called “Agent GPT,” brilliantly captured public attention for several reasons.

First, AI fascination was at its peak, making the experiment inherently interesting. Second, the stakes created compelling tension – if the challenge failed, it would suggest AI limitations; if it succeeded, it would raise profound questions about content creation’s future. Finally, the 30-day timeframe created urgency, encouraging daily engagement from viewers curious about the outcome.

Dom’s methodology involved comprehensive collaboration with AI. He provided detailed information about his brand identity, content style, and objectives, then requested daily content ideas. The AI would suggest content, Dom would execute it, measure performance metrics, and feed that data back to the AI, which would then refine its suggestions based on what performed well.

As the experiment progressed, Dom began generating better ideas than the AI. He would create content based on his concepts but use AI to ensure alignment with his brand values and optimize for engagement. Eventually, the AI learned his communication style so thoroughly that it could generate scripts matching his authentic voice. By incorporating performance metrics into this feedback loop, the system continuously improved.

The results exceeded expectations – Dom reached 100,000 followers in just 22 days, continuing the challenge for the full 30 days. His approach captivated audiences worldwide, with thousands attempting to replicate his success using his prompting techniques. For the past year, this experiment has connected him with people globally, helping them leverage AI for social media growth while generating profound insights about technology’s role in content creation.

The Foundation of Successful Content: Removing Self-Centeredness

When asked what advice he would give to his earlier, frustrated self about growing an audience with AI, Dom identified the first crucial step: remove yourself from the equation. His previous content failures stemmed from self-focus – nobody cares about someone with a few hundred or even thousand followers. Success came when he shifted to creating content that helped others.

People consume content they believe will benefit them – whether through education, entertainment, or inspiration. Many creators get stuck worrying about how they’ll be perceived or how they perceive themselves. Common concerns like disliking one’s voice or appearance on camera create barriers to authentic creation. By focusing instead on the value provided to audience members, creators can transcend these limitations.

The mindset shift involves measuring success not by others’ judgment but by the number of people helped. This service-oriented approach removes the pressure of external validation while creating more meaningful content. Dom emphasizes that everyone already possesses valuable experience and expertise that others would find useful – the key is sharing authentically from that knowledge base.

Despite feeling uncomfortable discussing his personal journey, Dom recognizes that sharing his story helps others who may be experiencing similar challenges. He notes that humans share 99.999% of DNA – our experiences, while unique, often parallel others’ journeys. By sharing authentically, creators can connect with audiences facing similar situations, providing value through relatability and shared wisdom.

Dom achieved his remarkable growth using minimal equipment – just an iPhone 13, basic lighting, and an inexpensive microphone. This demonstrates that expensive gear isn’t necessary for success; what matters is creating content that genuinely helps people. This perspective shifts focus from production value to value creation, making content creation more accessible to beginners.

Leveraging AI Effectively: Building a Relationship

Understanding AI’s functionality is crucial for effective collaboration. Dom explains that large language models like ChatGPT are essentially prediction machines trained on vast internet data. When given generic prompts, they produce generic responses. The key to valuable output is providing specific information that narrows the AI’s response range to your particular context.

Dom suggests asking the AI what information it needs to understand your brand, then answering those questions comprehensively. This data can be exported as a PDF and uploaded to a custom GPT, creating a knowledge base specifically tailored to your brand. With this foundation, the AI can generate strategies based on your unique characteristics rather than generic internet advice.

This approach extends to content creation. Dom uploads content templates from creators he admires, then asks the AI to adapt those structures to his voice and brand. By consistently providing performance metrics from published content, the AI learns which approaches work specifically for his audience. Over time, this creates a sophisticated, personalized content strategy engine.

Dom views his relationship with AI differently than most users. Rather than treating it like a search engine that provides one-off answers, he approaches it as a new friend he’s getting to know. He shares information about himself so the AI can provide more personalized value based on its extensive knowledge. This relationship metaphor helps frame interactions more productively than the common question-answer paradigm.

The fundamental principle of working with AI is “good data in, good data out.” Vague questions yield vague answers, while specific information produces specific responses. Dom applies the same principles he would use when hiring and training an employee – clear communication, specific guidance, and continuous feedback to improve performance over time.

Creating Content With AI: A Practical Framework

For creators ready to integrate AI into their content creation process, Dom outlines a comprehensive methodology that begins with clarity about the value you provide. Once you understand your unique contribution, you can leverage AI to amplify your message without losing authenticity.

The process begins with computational thinking – breaking down your desired outcome into manageable steps. Rather than overwhelming yourself with complex prompting structures, start by clearly stating your goal and asking the AI to outline necessary steps. For example, if your goal is gaining 10,000 Instagram followers in 10 days, simply ask what steps are required to achieve this.

As the AI provides a strategic framework, you’ll identify information gaps that require your input. When you reach points where the AI needs more context about you or your brand, provide that information willingly. This creates a circular relationship – you give information, receive a response, refine your approach based on that response, and continue the cycle, creating a flywheel effect that continuously improves results.

Dom describes AI as a “strategic brain” with an “ultimate organizing function.” While you provide the personal knowledge and authentic voice, the AI offers strategic structure and organizational clarity. This partnership leverages both human creativity and machine efficiency without sacrificing authenticity or personal connection.

For content creation specifically, Dom starts by providing comprehensive brand information, including demographics, values, mission, and desired content format. He uploads this information to a custom GPT, then requests content ideas aligned with these parameters. For each selected concept, he asks for multiple hook options, choosing the most compelling before developing a complete script.

Executing AI-Generated Content Without Losing Authenticity

Dom emphasizes that human agency remains essential in the execution phase. When receiving an AI-generated script, he doesn’t simply read it verbatim. Initially, he practices saying the script without looking at the camera, allowing himself to become comfortable with the content. If certain phrases don’t feel natural, he modifies them to match his authentic speaking style.

To further personalize AI-generated content, Dom records himself speaking naturally, transcribes this speech, and asks the AI to analyze his communication style. With this analysis, he requests that future scripts match his identified tone, creating an iterative process that increasingly aligns AI output with his authentic voice.

For beginners uncomfortable on camera, Dom suggests starting with the script visible nearby – perhaps on an iPad positioned next to the camera. Reading line by line helps build confidence before attempting more natural delivery. After recording, he uses simple editing tools like CapCut to remove pauses and add automatic captions, creating polished content without complicated post-production.

Visual elements can be incorporated through stock imagery from services like Artgrid or through AI-generated visuals from platforms like Midjourney and Runway. These tools allow creators to produce unique supporting visuals that enhance their message without requiring extensive graphic design skills or expensive production resources.

After publishing content, Dom screenshots performance metrics (views, likes, comments, shares, saves) and uploads these to the AI for analysis. This feedback loop informs future content creation, continuously refining the strategy based on audience response. This systematic approach transforms content creation from guesswork into a data-driven process while maintaining authentic human connection.

Monetizing Your Audience: Creating Value at Multiple Price Points

For creators who successfully build an audience, the next challenge is monetization. Dom’s primary advice is straightforward: “Get a button.” Without call-to-action buttons directing followers toward purchasable offerings, financial freedom remains elusive. He points to Amazon’s success, noting the countless purchase buttons throughout their ecosystem that drive their substantial revenue.

Dom approaches monetization by creating solutions at multiple price points, ensuring accessibility across his audience’s financial spectrum. His offerings range from free resources (meditations, written tutorials) to premium collaborations, with various options between these extremes. This approach creates inclusivity while maximizing revenue potential – everyone can participate at their comfort level.

When first gaining followers, Dom experimented with different revenue approaches. He initially pursued an AI education platform concept but realized the venture was shifting his brand toward finance and startup topics that didn’t align with his authentic interests. Recognizing this misalignment, he publicly abandoned the project despite its potential profitability, prioritizing alignment with his values.

After reflection, Dom identified teaching as his natural inclination and created monetization channels supporting this purpose. He recommends that new creators start with paid consultations – a simple button offering one-on-one meetings requires minimal setup while leveraging existing expertise. This approach requires no inventory or significant investment beyond the creator’s time and knowledge.

Another low-overhead monetization method is creating a “collaborate” button for potential brand partnerships. As attention becomes currency in the creator economy, even entertainment-focused creators can monetize through strategic brand deals. Dom suggests setting a monthly limit on sponsored content and maintaining transparency with audiences about these partnerships.

Looking Forward: Evolution and Human Value in the AI Age

Dom continues evolving his approach to content and community. Currently, he’s expanding beyond AI education to address the deeper question of how technology and humanity intersect. Recognizing growing skepticism about technology companies and questions about AI’s creative potential, he’s focusing on facilitating understanding between technology and people.

His content now incorporates more direct human connection – interviewing community members, addressing real-world problems, and using these authentic interactions as content. By opening his calendar for conversations with followers, he creates valuable content while deepening community bonds. This approach allows him to maintain technological relevance while emphasizing human connection.

Beyond personal content, Dom maintains separate channels for technical tutorials and futuristic news, allowing followers to engage with his content according to their interests. This multi-platform approach serves different audience segments while maintaining brand consistency across channels.

Through his journey, Dom has discovered that AI tools serve best as enhancers of human potential rather than replacements for human creativity. By treating artificial intelligence as a collaborative partner rather than a threat or magic solution, he’s developed a sustainable approach to content creation that maintains authenticity while leveraging technological advantages.

The key insight from Dom’s experience is that successful AI integration requires self-understanding first. Knowing who you are, what value you provide, and how you authentically communicate creates the foundation for effective AI collaboration. Without this self-knowledge, even the most sophisticated AI tools produce generic, inauthentic content that fails to connect with audiences.

In the age of artificial intelligence, staying valuable means reconnecting with our authentic selves while strategically leveraging technology to amplify our unique contributions. By focusing on human connection, authentic expression, and strategic implementation, creators can build sustainable businesses that thrive alongside technological advancement rather than being threatened by it.

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.