A week ago, I posted my thoughts on job postings on LinkedIn. I figured it might strike a chord with a few people. Maybe get a handful of likes. Perhaps even a comment or two if the algorithm gods were feeling generous.
Instead, it exploded.
200k+ impressions. Over 1,200 reactions. 325 comments. 51 shares.
I went viral—and, for once, it had nothing to do with my kids bringing home a mysterious school-circulated illness.
It’s not my first time having a post take off, but it still catches me off guard. Naturally, my imposter syndrome kicked into high gear:
“This was a fluke!”
“Your next post will prove you’re a fraud!”
“This only worked because Mercury was in retrograde and a cat walked across someone’s keyboard at just the right moment!”
But here’s the thing: I’ve been a freelance writer, podcaster, and creator for over a decade. I’ve had my share of wins, but I’ve also faced plenty of disappointments. This past year has been particularly tough as I’ve tried to rebuild my career while managing depression and rediscovering myself after a neurodivergence diagnosis.
And yet, here’s proof that authenticity, honesty, creativity, and humor still matter. That even in the vast, unpredictable world of content creation, real connections can be made.
So, what did I learn from this unexpected viral moment?
Not every post can go viral—and that’s okay. Enjoy the win, but don’t hinge your entire self-worth on it.
Every piece you create, whether it soars or flops, teaches you something.
Predicting what will resonate is basically like trying to forecast the weather by licking your finger and holding it to the wind. Sometimes, the posts you’re convinced will hit big fizzle out, while the ones you toss together on a whim blow up.
Passion leads to impact. If you care deeply about a topic, chances are someone else does too. That personal connection is what makes your work stand out (unless your passion is an in-depth study of toe fungus collecting, in which case…best of luck?).
Value is everything. Whether it’s educational, thought-provoking, or simply relatable, content that genuinely helps others is far more likely to gain traction.
Let your personality shine. No one shares something that feels like a cookie-cutter regurgitation of every other post on the internet. Your unique voice is what makes your work memorable.
Going viral should never be the goal. Focus on making work that is interesting, valuable, and engaging. (Or just post a cat picture. Seriously, they work every time.)
Success fuels self-doubt. The weird thing about imposter syndrome is that it doesn’t disappear when you achieve something—it gets louder. Brains are funny that way.
Going viral does not come with a free pie. Which is disappointing. But I’m open to starting a tradition where we send viral creators baked goods. Just putting that out into the universe.
Engage, but don’t let it consume you. Respond to comments, interact with your audience, but don’t spend all day spiraling down a reply rabbit hole (note to my neurodivergent brain: this applies to you, too!).
You never know when success will come knocking. A random LinkedIn post attracting over 200,000 views is a massive reminder to keep creating. Your next big break might be just around the corner.
Now, my goal is to harness this momentum—to grow my freelance business, attract new readers to Beyond the Balcony, bring more listeners to The Movie Breakdown, and build meaningful connections.
Worst-case scenario? It’s a fantastic portfolio piece that proves I know how to create content that resonates.
So, to my fellow writers, podcasters, and creators—don’t give up. Keep dreaming, keep experimenting, keep putting your work out there.
Your next big moment? It might be just one post away.
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