My cat went viral on TikTok
I’ve spent the past 5 years growing my business and building my personal brand on social media. I post on all platforms, write here, and have even started a podcast. My podcast era only lasted a year because I realize I rather be a guest than interview.
I do love being the center of attention after all.
I create content related to bisexuality, spirituality, and mental health. I share about tougher subjects such as being a survivor of sexual trauma and leaving religion in my early 20s. You get the picture, right? I put my whole pussy into sharing my life and showing up authentically.
Imagine my surprise when a random ass TikTok I made with my 12 year old cat started going viiiiiirallll. I’m talking 1.5 million views type of viral.
I’ve had videos hit 300k views before but never in the MILLION category. Of fucking course it was when I had no bra on and was boo’d up with my kitties.
We even had a reporter reach out from Newsweek and interview us for a heartwarming adoption story about Twilight. Yes, I responded. Again, I love attention. I didn’t feel this way when I was in the newspaper for an underage drinking ticket though…….. (a story for a different time)
People were in the comments sharing about their sweet kitty stories and how lucky I am to have a “velcro kitty.” There were a few comments where people completely didn’t understand my humor. (“Are you seriously complaining?!”)
Being misunderstood is a prerequisite for being on the internet I guess.
Please bring back people understanding dry humor!!!!
The night the video started going viral I saw 333 on the way to the bar. This is my favorite angel number and it was on Twilight’s cage when I adopted her.
It’s not surprising that she’s the reason we went viral because Twilight is such a special girl. A cat is also one of the least taboo topics someone could post in this fascist climate.
Though….conservatives have somehow found a way to even make having cats a political statement???
Before I agreed to the article with Newsweek I had to make sure that it wasn’t a trope on millennial women with cats as children lmao.
Here are a few things I learned from going viral:
The viral video will always be the one you least expect
Post when you feel inspired and when a thought finds you…not the other way around
People desperately want to be seen and share with the world. Even people who aren’t making videos still want to be seen through the use of social media. I had so many people sharing their stories with me and about their pets who have crossed over. It was so endearing to read how everyone could relate to such a short clip of my life.
You never know who is going to see your art. I only had 4,000 followers on TikTok before this video and now I have 5,600 followers. I’ve been quoted in Cosmopolitan before and had even less followers at that time. I’m not going to say the cliche “just post the content.” However, I do think you should post what inspires you. I felt called to whip my camera out for a reason.
Fuck a niche. Fuck being one thing. Throw it all at the wall and see what sticks.
Finally…have more fun on social media!
I’ve been guilty of taking it wayyy too seriously in the past and this experience brought me back to earth. People want real, raw, and relatable. Cuddling in bed with my 2 kitties was exactly that.
You can read the article here.