The Quest for Virality on TikTok: A Journey of Trial and Error
In the fast-paced world of social media, going viral on platforms like TikTok often seems like a blend of skill and luck. To truly understand the dynamics behind creating a viral edit, one content creator embarked on a mission—starting a brand new TikTok account and using their editing skills, or lack thereof, to see if they could achieve virality.
With a goal in mind to explore whether years of experience or sheer luck determines success, the creator initiated their experiment with a new account named "Brian VFX 6." They crafted an appealing backstory in the bio, suggesting a previous account with a substantial following—an untruth that adds a veneer of credibility. Furthermore, they opted for a generic, AI-generated image as a profile picture, indicating sophistication without much effort.
Equipped with little more than the user-friendly editing tool CapCut, which offers an easier entry-point into video editing compared to professional software, they dove into creating their first viral edit.
Their inaugural project featured renowned MMA fighter Conor McGregor, leveraging his recent popularity due to an upcoming fight. They utilized footage of McGregor’s live stream, paired with captions and a beat drop for dramatic effect. The edit, although simple, performed better than expected, garnering 730 views within hours. Positive engagement from viewers offered an initial boost of encouragement.
Encouraged by the initial success, the creator decided to experiment with a beloved TV show, "Suits," which historically gathered viral attention on TikTok. After replicating existing popular edits and using straightforward editing techniques, they released this new content, only to be greeted with a stark zero views. This setback led them to wonder if they had somehow been shadowbanned or had violated platform policies, as it was highly unusual for videos to go completely unnoticed.
In search of inspiration, the creator transitioned to content related to trending personalities, including a viral lawyer known for his dramatic cases, and even subjects from popular culture, like the animated film "Puss in Boots." With each new attempt, their hope flickered. Despite investing hours into edits that were visually and technically impressive, none seemed to catch on.
Despite tackling various trends—including Joe Biden and various other public figures—the resulting edits seemed to stall at mediocre numbers, primarily failing to meet TikTok’s eligibility for the "For You" page due to a perception that the content lacked originality. Throughout this rollercoaster of creativity, a sense of frustration began to seep through, challenging the narrative that virality was just a formula waiting to be cracked.
The final turning point came with the anticipated release of the show "The Boys." Knowing it would receive extensive viewership, they geared up quickly after the episode aired, aiming to produce a timely edit that could capitalize on the buzz. After several hours of meticulous work, they uploaded the edit, waiting in anticipation.
In a surprising turn of fate, the video exploded to over 110,000 views overnight and eventually even surpassed 1 million views, leading to an influx of new followers.
Herein lies the twist: While the content creator envisioned monetary rewards from TikTok's creativity program, they discovered the program was unavailability in their location, Canada. Yet, through the process, they unearthed valuable insights—going viral isn't a straightforward path marked strictly by skill or luck. Rather, it's a convoluted journey requiring patience, dedication, adaptability, and a sprinkle of serendipity.
Ultimately, this experiment illustrated an essential truth: while creating compelling content may seem trivial, the reality often involves unpredictability and a learning curve. The creator realized that if videos aren't gaining traction, it may not necessarily be an issue with TikTok's algorithm; instead, the content might simply need more refinement.
In summary, even among the challenges and setbacks, the journey validated that virality is undoubtedly feasible for those ready to put in the effort and adapt along the way.
Part 1/9:
The Quest for Virality on TikTok: A Journey of Trial and Error
In the fast-paced world of social media, going viral on platforms like TikTok often seems like a blend of skill and luck. To truly understand the dynamics behind creating a viral edit, one content creator embarked on a mission—starting a brand new TikTok account and using their editing skills, or lack thereof, to see if they could achieve virality.
Setting the Stage
Part 2/9:
With a goal in mind to explore whether years of experience or sheer luck determines success, the creator initiated their experiment with a new account named "Brian VFX 6." They crafted an appealing backstory in the bio, suggesting a previous account with a substantial following—an untruth that adds a veneer of credibility. Furthermore, they opted for a generic, AI-generated image as a profile picture, indicating sophistication without much effort.
Equipped with little more than the user-friendly editing tool CapCut, which offers an easier entry-point into video editing compared to professional software, they dove into creating their first viral edit.
The First Edit: Riding the McGregor Wave
Part 3/9:
Their inaugural project featured renowned MMA fighter Conor McGregor, leveraging his recent popularity due to an upcoming fight. They utilized footage of McGregor’s live stream, paired with captions and a beat drop for dramatic effect. The edit, although simple, performed better than expected, garnering 730 views within hours. Positive engagement from viewers offered an initial boost of encouragement.
Chasing Popular Trends
Part 4/9:
Encouraged by the initial success, the creator decided to experiment with a beloved TV show, "Suits," which historically gathered viral attention on TikTok. After replicating existing popular edits and using straightforward editing techniques, they released this new content, only to be greeted with a stark zero views. This setback led them to wonder if they had somehow been shadowbanned or had violated platform policies, as it was highly unusual for videos to go completely unnoticed.
A Shift in Strategy: Trending Figures
Part 5/9:
In search of inspiration, the creator transitioned to content related to trending personalities, including a viral lawyer known for his dramatic cases, and even subjects from popular culture, like the animated film "Puss in Boots." With each new attempt, their hope flickered. Despite investing hours into edits that were visually and technically impressive, none seemed to catch on.
Unexpected Challenges
Part 6/9:
Despite tackling various trends—including Joe Biden and various other public figures—the resulting edits seemed to stall at mediocre numbers, primarily failing to meet TikTok’s eligibility for the "For You" page due to a perception that the content lacked originality. Throughout this rollercoaster of creativity, a sense of frustration began to seep through, challenging the narrative that virality was just a formula waiting to be cracked.
The Breakthrough Moment
Part 7/9:
The final turning point came with the anticipated release of the show "The Boys." Knowing it would receive extensive viewership, they geared up quickly after the episode aired, aiming to produce a timely edit that could capitalize on the buzz. After several hours of meticulous work, they uploaded the edit, waiting in anticipation.
In a surprising turn of fate, the video exploded to over 110,000 views overnight and eventually even surpassed 1 million views, leading to an influx of new followers.
The Aftermath and Lessons Learned
Part 8/9:
Herein lies the twist: While the content creator envisioned monetary rewards from TikTok's creativity program, they discovered the program was unavailability in their location, Canada. Yet, through the process, they unearthed valuable insights—going viral isn't a straightforward path marked strictly by skill or luck. Rather, it's a convoluted journey requiring patience, dedication, adaptability, and a sprinkle of serendipity.
Ultimately, this experiment illustrated an essential truth: while creating compelling content may seem trivial, the reality often involves unpredictability and a learning curve. The creator realized that if videos aren't gaining traction, it may not necessarily be an issue with TikTok's algorithm; instead, the content might simply need more refinement.
Part 9/9:
In summary, even among the challenges and setbacks, the journey validated that virality is undoubtedly feasible for those ready to put in the effort and adapt along the way.