Here’s How I Went Viral Anyway
Imagine crafting content day after day, only to see your efforts go largely unnoticed. That was my reality (and the reality for many of you I suspect) until one tweet unexpectedly went viral, drawing 7.3 million views. This viral moment was more than just a statistic — it reshaped my entire approach to using social media for Christ’s message.
Taking a Leap with Twitter X
They all said Twitter X was dead, but I decided to give it a serious shot. My only experience with social media had been a Facebook page (started in 2009) to stay in touch with friends and family. But after a career change post-COVID left me in a stagnant position, I decided to leverage my marketing skills on Twitter X.
For nearly a year, I posted daily — no skips, not even on holidays. I tried everything from Bible verses to interactive polls. Despite these efforts, engagement was minimal. Yet, persistence paid off when a single tweet captured global attention, leading to a surge of 30,000 new followers.
The Breakthrough Moment
Then, on April 16, 2023, everything changed. One post exploded in popularity, garnering 7.3 million views, 2.2k comments, 55k likes, and 10k shares. That single post brought over 30,000 new followers to my profile! While I still don’t fully understand why it resonated so widely, I embraced it. This viral success may have struck a chord with Christians globally, but none of my subsequent posts have reached such heights. While some have hit the 100k mark, nothing has matched that viral impact.
Building and Engaging
Today, my account has around 71,000 followers. Here’s what’s been crucial for ongoing growth:
- Know Your Audience: Understand the interests and needs of your followers. Tailor your content to address their concerns and provide value.
- Be Consistent: Regular posting helps maintain engagement and build a loyal following. Even when posts don’t go viral, consistency keeps your audience engaged. Please know that the quality of the content counts. People will only want to follow you if they get real value from your posts.
- Engage Actively: Respond to comments and direct messages. Addressing prayer requests and interacting personally with followers fosters meaningful connections and strengthens community.
Engagement Tip: Try hosting Q&A sessions or live chats to connect with your audience in real-time. This interaction not only boosts engagement but also builds a sense of community around your content.
PS — I regularly host online chats that gives a Bible Lesson to ten times more people than show up at my church on a Sunday morning!
The Impact of Timing and Trends
Timing also played a significant role in the success of that tweet. At the time, Elon Musk was relatively new to Twitter X, and there was news of users leaving the platform. With less competition, my tweet had a better chance of being seen — something that changed once creators started being paid for ad content on their pages.
I don’t follow trends or chase viral content. Instead, I concentrate on my audience and their needs. Engaging through direct messages has been a major part of my growth. I encourage followers to reach out with prayer requests, and I make it a point to respond personally. These interactions are incredibly rewarding and have led to many meaningful connections, even though I haven’t met most of these people in person.
Some might question the relevance of digital outreach compared to physical church experiences. While it’s true that digital cannot replace the tangible church, attention is increasingly focused on screens, and that trend isn’t fading. My new mission, alongside pastoring, is to help other churches embrace online engagement. Posting a YouTube video of a service isn’t enough. To make an impact, we need to flood digital platforms with encouragement, positivity, and the gospel.
The Power of Positive Content
Inspired by a YouTube video from Gary Vaynerchuk, who suggested eliminating negativity from personal feeds and actively seeking positive accounts, I’ve adopted a similar mindset. Social media reflects our thoughts — focusing on positivity can transform our online experiences. With news and content readily accessible, people crave connection, Christ, and community.
A New Mission
To extend this mission, I’ve launched a media company to help churches and non-profits amplify their messages online. My first client, a podcast hosted by a retired pastor and his college-aged grandson, marks an exciting start to this journey.
Final Reflection: As digital platforms evolve, they offer unprecedented opportunities for outreach and connection. By focusing on positivity and genuine engagement, you can make a significant impact and spread hope far beyond traditional boundaries.
Let’s harness the power of social media to spread encouragement and the gospel. Embrace the opportunity to connect and uplift through these digital platforms.