Here’s an update on our Youtube Channel and vlogging. We had our first viral video and… it definitely wasn’t what I expected. The internet continues to be a strange, surprising place.
When I made a Youtube Channel I did not think any of my videos would go viral. Truly, that was not on my mind. Primarily, I noticed Jaime did not want to write on our family blog, and I really wanted to record both our memories (not just mine). When we moved to North Carolina, it was a new beginning for us, and I felt like we would want to remember this time in our lives. So, we started to play around, and then one day… 4,000 people saw one of our videos. Now, this is not a million. Hell, by some people’s standards this may not be viral. But for me, 4,000 eye balls is a lot… it feels viral!
So, why did a video of me in my kitchen one very early morning sharing what life is like in our new hometown of Bryson City, NC go viral? Here are my guesses and general thoughts on the process.
I didn’t give AF
No, really. I think this is key. There’s so little authenticity online nowadays that whenever something real pops up, people notice. It’s a struggle for me to be authentic, tell you the truth. I want to curate! I have an internal urge to make it all look pretty. I do my very best to be real in between all the nice photos, but it’s hard because… boundaries! This video was honest though. I had no makeup. I just went with it one morning. The editing is a bit rough, but I didn’t overthink sharing it and that took a certain amount of trust and vulnerability. People like when you show them who you really are.
The topic provides value
Now, I gotta say, although it’s highly strategic and intelligent to think about what you create from the lens of your audience… it’s also draining. How are you supposed to be authentic when you’re cherry picking what you share based on demand? Again, makes total sense for different types of blogs, but it’s always felt like shackles on my creativity. I don’t like feeling like I’m chasing something when I create. It pains me to say though, it works. A lot of people care about Bryson City, NC and/or moving to North Carolina. People are thinking about this (we were there not too long ago) and hearing someone’s real perspective is valuable. Big disclaimer: I want to stress that I didn’t create this for that purpose. I do get asked a lot about our decision to move here, what we do and what it’s like, but unless the idea of sharing that was fun, I wouldn’t have done it. My advice still stands on this one: make what you like, period, but looking to what people ask you about may be a fun place to begin.
People shared it
I don’t use Facebook. God, I really dislike it actually. I’m on Instagram, but it’s really not as powerful a platform for videos (unless, of course, you’re posting content there directly). My mom shared this video on her Facebook (thanks mom!), which I believe worked in tandem with the above. Sharing is so essential if you want to get eyes on your work. This is also very hard for me. I don’t like to annoy people by being “that girl,” but that also isn’t being authentic to who I am. The truth is, I create, so not sharing that is inauthentic. I’m still working through being proud of my work and thus feeling comfortable sharing it openly everywhere to give it the best possible chance of discovery.
Small town life in Bryson City, NC
Here’s my big viral video, if you’re curious! Any theories of your own or similar experiences with creating work and sharing it? I’d love to hear it. Post a comment or feel free to email me privately 🙂