The closest to “viral” I’ve ever come is the Facebook post announcing my engagement in 2016.

500-something likes and 300 of them were someone’s aunt who surely thought I’d never find anyone to wed. 

So what happened to me on Sunday was truly like nothing I’ve ever experienced. 

I knew I was in trouble when I had surpassed my usual and modest 300 views in about 25 seconds. 

(Watch what all the fuss was about… and read the comments if you have a spare 3 hours today.)

My phone was in full glitch mode because of the sheer volume of notifications. How does Alix Earle DO it?

By this time I’m wondering if I should literally delete it. Our social media editor and resident Gen-Z, Lindsay, was having a blast and I was begging for mercy. 

See, I started posted on TikTok for a couple of reasons and neither of them were to go viral, especially with content that doesn’t promote this newsletter. 

First, I wanted to try and get eyes on Salesgirl Social in a free and low risk way. And second, because I generally hate being in front of a camera and it’s a (also free and low risk) way to get practice.

Boy, am I getting that practice I wanted…. Plus some. 

5 Things I’m Reminded of After Accidentally Going Viral on TikTok:

#1. Everyone is experiencing life through their own lens. 

For every “same!!!!” there’s an environmental warrior trying to take me out. I’m sure they were disappointed to find that I am un-cancellable because I have 30 followers.

Going viral just gives you a (much) bigger sample size of the same world you talk to on a regular basis. 50% of people will love you and 50% of people will hate you. That’s the ratio if you’re LUCKY. 

It reminded me that everyone is just doing what they think is best based on the life experience that they’ve lived. Also, keep in mind that people will argue about literally anything.

#2. There are SO many people in the world.

This seems sort of obvious? But it can start to feel like, “have I run out of women to talk to?” 

Like maybe your niche or audience is just too small… and I now I believe that’s probably not true.

I was praying for people to STOP commenting and relating because honestly I’m not built for the spotlight. I’m built for 200 views and nobody disagrees with me. 

But they kept… coming… Because there are THAT many people for you to speak to at any given moment. We owe social media a big ole THANK YOU for that (I think?).

#3. People are dying to talk, especially about themselves. 

Somehow in this TikTok there was a sub conversation about a person’s diagnosed disabilities?!? I didn’t mean for all this to happen.

And as the notifications kept flooding in, I just pictured people sitting at home on their phones airing out their lives to strangers in a comment section. 

It made me a little sad, and I prefer my conversations IRL, but it did inspire me to get into more of them.

Allow people to tell you anything they need to. 

#4. I didn’t make any money. 

I did gain some followers! So maybe they’ll see the link in my bio or my next post and become avid Salesgirl Social readers. I kinda doubt it, but would be fun! 

Going viral once probably won’t pay your bills. (In some cases it really helps people take off and I love that for them!! The Nitro Bar is one of my favorites stories where it actually has changed their business.) 

The truth, though, is that all eyes aren’t leads. They’re helpful! But if you’re building a business and not just an audience, going viral doesn’t mean very much.

#5. If you’re gonna post on social, you have to be okay with people not knowing the whole story. 

Going viral was amazing practice for me. As a writer, I can usually give as much context as I need to in order to make the point I want to make. 

But wait I recycle! But wait this is the first time I’ve done this! But wait! But wait! 

You’ll almost definitely be misunderstood. It comes with the territory. If you can’t be okay with that, don’t post on TikTok. 

Bonus lesson: Everything that happens to you can be content 😎

Anyways, did you guys know you can put plastic food containers* in the freezer until it becomes a solid, run it under hot water and dispose of the contents that way? 

*a lot of women 50+ are very upset that I would use the term Tupperware generally, because it is not the same. I apologize to these women and admire their fervor for kitchenware. 

Anyways, I might try the freezing thing.

Might toss the container again.

Definitely won’t TikTok it if I do. 

Xo, The Salesgirls 

And while we’re here, let’s settle this once and for all…