Creating viral video topics. (do this if you're under 100k)


CONTENT CULTURE

BY Ethan shaw,

Hey,

Ethan Here

If you are under 100K followers


This is what I would recommend...

Any accounts or individuals looking to grow and gain more eyeballs on there account (basically everyone including me) then we need to be aware of how specific our content to optimize for views.

If you are making content that is too niched, specific, or advanced your videos will not have a chance at going viral. I can say that with certainty.

Most entrepreneurs and business owners tend to be very aware of their products and marketing and therefore tend to bleed this into their organic marketing. Talking about promotions, advanced topics, or just boring topics to the average person.

If an account has more than 100K followers or you don't feel the need to grow then you can be more specific, or random about your topic selection.

For Example take my account at +200k followers, I now have a big enough community and audience to not always have to create "viral videos". I can talk about some more specific topics, life updates, or just straight up promotions. This would still sacrifice the growth of my account, but could also deepen the connection I have with my audience. Therefore I am now balancing between specific and broad content. You should not do this.

If you were in the Creator Circle Community you knew from my weekly content updates that I was deciding to create "more viral" videos this past week. I wanted to give a nice boost to my account and get some more growth through viral broad content.

and...


It worked! I acclimated about 300K views in the past 3 days through this same strategy.

You need to keep your topics broad and easy to watch to make viral content.

If you are a newer creator you need to be making videos that have a chance of going viral.

Let's take this another layer deeper...

If you are business keen you may heard of "Customer Awareness".

If you haven’t I'll explain it right now.

Here is the different awareness levels of a potential buyer or consumer -

1. Unaware: A person who doesn’t know they have a problem yet and doesn’t know they have to fix it.

2. Problem Aware: A person who knows they have a problem, but doesn’t quite know what there solutions are to that problem.

3. Aware of Solutions: The person who is aware of the problem, knows some solutions but doesn’t know what's best for them yet and also does not know about your solution.

4. Product Aware: A person who already knows about your product or solution but isn’t totally sure it will solve their problems.

5. Hyper Aware: The person who knows a lot of information about you and your solution is already about to buy as they have weighed out all the options they have, and have almost decided that you're their best option.

Most business, educators, coaches, entrepreneurs are making content for people in awareness levels 3. and 4. and 5. "aware of solutions or product aware". This is fine for sales but most of us on the internet, are newbies.

Your content is too specific for organic growth and views.

You need to be making content for awareness levels 1. and 2.

You need to be making content for people that are unaware of their problem or problem aware. Then through your stories, lead magnets, and long form content we can nurture them down this awareness level into your solution.

"but what about the more advanced people, I don't want to miss out on views or sales?"

People more advanced in your niche and topic still appreciate listening and learning about the fundamentals.

They appreciate and understand how important the fundamentals are and they will enjoy listening to reassure that they know the information.

They'll have a "yeah that's right, I knew that" moment which can be quite entertaining and engaging for people.

Now let's make it sexy...

This is the best part.

Now now that you're making content for people unaware or problem aware and have the rest of your aware customers watching your content, all while getting better views and shares. You're going to start introducing topics that highlight their problem even more.



You are going to make content that continues to make people problem aware.

You will highlight their problem.


These topics will not only be more engaging, thought provoking, and broad for vitality but then will also have people curious to learn more about you...


You give people enough information to realize that they should probably seek a solution for their problem that you're exposing, all while educating them on the fundamentals at the same time. It's a win - win transaction.

So now you have an viral organic funnel that will literally nurture people down the awareness level into your solution. You'll need to learn how to create viral content.


This is the most organic way to generate red hot leads, while still getting more views on your videos and growing your account.

Message me or post in the Content Culture Skool Community if you have any questions. (that's the free one, don't be shy)


I'll be making a instagram video about this concept this week. Ironically this video will not be going viral since it is too specific and advanced of a topic. That video is really just for fun and to give some extra value to my audience.


Thank you all for reading.

Talk soon,
Ethan



Here's the truth: every successful content creator you admire, including myself, has faced this fear. The difference? They took the plunge anyway.

They created, posted, and evolved without any guarantees of success. This leap of faith is a right of passage on the journey to building your personal brand.

The Power Commitment

Success in content creation doesn't come from perfect conditions; it comes from showing up consistently. Commitment means posting regularly, even when you're unsure of the outcome. It's about pushing past the fear and believing in the process.

Here's the good part about commitment and consistency : It's not sexy. Therefore people won't actually take action, meaning that the competition is far less than you think.

If you take action with the proper knowledge of how to actually create content. This "blind leap of faith" becomes a lot less scary. So much so that I can confidently guarantee you that you will grow if you commit.

YOU will grow on social media with the right strategy.

This "leap of faith" becomes a lot more manageable when you know 100% for certain you will grow and see success on social media.

Look at the creators you admire. Many started with little to no audience, yet they kept posting. Over time, their dedication paid off, leading to substantial growth. This isn't luck—it's the result of consistent effort and trusting the process.

Consider the story of Misha @mainstage, a full time concert and artist videographer, who began with a handful of followers when I was friends with him and now 8 months later inspires thousands of people daily through his videos.

Learning Through Action

The only way to improve at creating content is by doing it. Each post is a chance to refine your skills, discover your voice, and learn what resonates with your audience. The beauty of regular posting and commitment is that it turns each day into a learning opportunity.

Even if your early few posts don't gain traction, you're gaining something invaluable: experience. You'll hone your communication skills, learn to craft compelling narratives, and understand your audience better. These are crucial skills that extend beyond content creation.

BTW: It's still important to have a bank of content so when you do blow up, people can binge your older videos.

Digital Communication is the Future

As we move further into the social media age, the ability to communicate effectively online becomes increasingly vital. In 2024 and beyond, digital communication isn't just a skill; it's a necessity. For instance, professionals across industries are now expected to have a strong online presence. Your social media page is now your public resume and will directly effect any future plans you have your career and business.

This shift presents a golden opportunity for those who take action. Consistent content creation can elevate your personal and business growth, positioning you ahead of the curve in this digital era and learn the skills you need for effective digital communication.

Remember...

The traffic lights of life will never all be green.

Don't wait for the perfect moment—start now.

The worst outcome of committing to a regular posting schedule is that you gain new skills and learn how to communicate in this new digital age.

These are some of the most valuable assets and skills, for your future.

Personal Note:

I've walked this path myself, uncertain of the outcome but committed to the process. It wasn't always easy, but the growth and opportunities that followed were worth every step.

If you're looking to eliminate that uncertainty and make sure you're on the fastest path to growth you can join Creator Circle. This is the inner circle community of professional creators along with +30 lessons to give you the knowledge you need to start growing with certainty.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or thoughts. Connect with me on social media for more insight. Let's continue this journey together.



Thanks for the read,
Ethan

Ethan Shaw

Join +2500 reading exclusive content tips, content news, and insights into my content strategy and system.

Read more from Ethan Shaw

Hey Friend, Long time no see. I ended up taking a break and restructuring my newsletter. But we are back to regular weekly emails every Wednesday. With that said, let's dive in: Here's the industry secret most creators don't ever talk about: The algorithm doesn't determine who goes viral. People do. When someone is scrolling, their brain is making split-second decisions. You have less than one second to stop them. And if your content isn't getting shared, saved, or watched all the way...

Hey Friend, This email is going out 1 day late, sorry for the delay. I just flew into Bali to lock in for the next 3 months. More updates on my instagram about that. I may be starting a new content series to document the whole journey. But as I ramp up for this new content series and growth push I wanted to talk about something this week that's been on my mind a lot... You're not lazy. You're not undisciplined. You're not lacking willpower. You're just disciplined toward the wrong goals. When...

A black and white photo of a wooden wall

Ethan Shaw Sept. 11th 2024 How to hook your viewers and gain the attention you want online ↓ Hello, Welcome back to another newsletter - If you want to grow your social media following, build a strong personal brand, and start an online business or any business you want really - There’s 1 reason why you're not getting any sort of traction with your content. It's your hooks. The hook is the first few seconds of your video. It’s the make-or-break moment that determines whether people will keep...