If you are a content creator, then one of your primary goals is to create content that can potentially go viral.
But what does “going viral” mean? For the layman, content – such as a simple set of text, a photo, or a video – has “gone viral” if it has been shared many times over a relatively short period of time over the Internet.
There is really no single metric when it comes to the actual number of shares to determine if a piece of content has become viral. Also, some would even argue that the number of shares is just one of the more important metrics determining “virality.”
It seems the metrics for different forms of content are also different. For instance, some experts point out that a video that has gotten 100,000 views can be considered “viral.”
Some would argue that there is no “magic number.” For instance, can a photo that has been shared 1,000 in the last 2 hours be considered viral? There seems to be no set benchmark or threshold as to what going viral means.
Interestingly, casual Internet users would automatically have an idea if something is said to have gone viral. It seems for most of us, going viral means content that has suddenly become very popular online.
Content becomes viral, it seems, because they appeal to the range of human emotions—joy, anger, empathy, sadness, etc.—and thus appeal to the human tendency of wanting to share something that we deem worthy to be shared.
Thus, it is said there is no perfect or “secret” formula for some piece of content to go viral, although there are indeed professional content creators that are getting it right most of the time when it comes to virality. Many content creators can “ride” current trends, but content that becomes viral out of nowhere is truly special.
For the sake of discussion, let’s just go with the basic—and generic—meaning of going viral, which many online resources define as “an image, video, photo, or link that spreads rapidly through online sharing.”
Going viral and getting profits
The next question—and probably the most important—then for most content creators is how to monetize or earn profits from their viral content. Perhaps the real question is how do content creators take advantage of content that has gone very popular? Or, how do you sustain the momentum once your content becomes a massive hit?
Here are a few suggestions:
Join the TikTok Creator Fund.
Ideally, your viral TikTok content should become a vehicle for you to use to earn from the views you get.
TikTok has created the TikTok Creator Fund, which gives monetary rewards depending on how many views your TikTok posts get. So the first thing is for you to meet the requirements, then join the group.
Online resources will point out that the TikTok Creator Fund is designed primarily to pay creators directly for making TikTok videos. As of the latest info, you need to have at least 10,000 followers and at least 100,000 views in the last month to qualify. If your content becomes viral, it is then easier to join.
Sponsorships and promotions
TikTok, as a platform for short-form video, is perhaps the best medium for sponsorships and product promotions. What usually happens is the content creator simply describes a certain product or service.
Some will integrate the product pitches into their content, while others can dedicate a certain number of posts to the product. If this scheme sounds familiar, it is because most other social platforms—Instagram, YouTube, etc.—use the same formula. Social media influencers often “endorse” certain products in exchange for cash or freebies. Audio sponsorships can also be lucrative. With this arrangement, your TikTok page can serve as a marketing tool for both aspiring and established musicians, solo artists, or bands.
Set up an online shop
TikTok Shop is fairly new but is seen as one of the biggest sources of revenue that content creators can tap. Basically you can create another account dedicated to selling. You can then use feed, content, or live stream to sell products. TikTok Shop is TikTok’s long-awaited move to join other social media platforms in engaging in social commerce.
In some countries, TikTok creators are even allowed to sell directly to their fans or followers. Now that you’ve established a decent number of followers, perhaps it is time to sell some personalized merchandise (or “merch” in social media parlance) that your fans might want to have.
Protect your content
Although protecting your content might not strictly or immediately earn you money, it can help you establish a “brand.” Experts would say you should trademark your content as soon as it becomes viral. Make sure that your viral content is associated with your brand.
Explore your viral content
As mentioned, there is no magic formula or system to make viral content. However, if you do hit it big, make sure to take advantage of the moment. Study your viral content and see if there are business opportunities that you can exploit. Say you created a viral dance. Explore ways if these kinds of videos can, for example, be used to attract promotions or sponsorships aligned with fitness apparel or entertainment.
Conclusion
Going viral on TikTok is perhaps the ultimate goal of most content creators. However, it is not very easy to create viral TikToks, and some would even say it is comparable to catching lightning in a bottle.
But what if your videos do become viral? Monetizing or earning money out of viral content may seem easy, but you still need to exert considerable effort to hopefully sustain your content or create new ones. There are a lot of ways to parlay your viral video to earn money, however, for long-term success. You have to continue to be creative and innovative, and patient in creating potential more viral posts.
For now, TikTok, as a short-form video platform may seem limited, but it is widely expected that it will offer more monetization opportunities, especially for those whose content has gone viral.
