How to Go Viral and Build a Career as a Content Creator. Tips from Creators Who Have Done It.
Breaking into the world of content creation isn’t easy, especially in the beginning. But for many creators, one viral video can ignite a sustainable career. While “going viral” can look different for everyone, the key is consistently creating content that significantly outperforms your usual reach.
For some, viral success might mean 100,000 views. For others, it’s crossing the million-view mark. But at its core, virality is about impact. How far your content travels, how many new people it reaches and how much engagement it generates. Most creators will agree that getting a video to blow up is often unpredictable. The real challenge is staying visible and relevant after your first viral hit.
Here are three tips from three creators via Mashable who’ve made viral content work for them:
1. Be Consistent — And Unapologetically You
Jenny Solares first went viral with a lighthearted song parody, earning over 500,000 views. That moment kickstarted a career that now includes millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Her biggest takeaway? Consistency is everything.
“It’s a little tough because sometimes the videos you expect to go viral don’t, and the ones you least expect do,” she says. “Don’t hold back—put your full personality into it. Be consistent, and don’t be afraid to be yourself.”
2. Study the Trends—Then Add Your Twist
Jenny Hoyos blew up online with a simple $3 burrito hack. Today, she boasts over 9 million YouTube subscribers and regularly hits viral numbers. Her strategy is simple but powerful: observe what’s working and make it your own.
“Anything can be a viral video,” she says. “Study what other people are doing, then twist it. If everyone’s doing something in blue, do it in red. Combine trends or add your spin.”
3. Stay Authentic
Zay Dante has made a name for himself with musical, funny, and highly engaging TikTok content. With over 1.8 million followers on TikTok alone, he still stands by a timeless rule: be authentic.
“I know it’s cliché, but be yourself,” he says. “Everyone’s trying to feed an algorithm, but when that gets in the way of authenticity, it’s obvious. Make what genuinely makes you laugh—not just what you think will go viral.”
The Bottom Line
There’s no guaranteed formula for going viral, but the building blocks are clear: be consistent, be observant, and be yourself. Viral moments may come and go, but creators who lean into their unique voice and stay adaptable are the ones who build lasting careers.
