Why I Quit Trying to Go Viral — and Started Building Systems That Sell
There was a time when I thought going viral was the holy grail of online success. I spent hours brainstorming catchy hooks, trending audios, and clever captions — convinced that if I could just create one perfect post, everything would finally click. But every time I hit “publish,” I found myself back at square one the next morning. My so-called viral moments faded in less than 24 hours, and I was left exhausted, chasing a high that didn’t pay the bills.
The truth hit me hard: virality doesn’t equal stability. It doesn’t equal freedom. It doesn’t even equal profit.
I realized that real success — the kind that sustains your lifestyle and builds true freedom — doesn’t come from being everywhere or pleasing the algorithm. It comes from creating systems that quietly, consistently sell for you behind the scenes.
Today, I want to share how quitting the chase for virality completely transformed my business, my mindset, and my peace of mind.
THE PROBLEM WITH CHASING VIRALITY
Social media makes it easy to equate attention with success. Every like, comment, and share gives you that quick dopamine hit. But when you’re constantly feeding that machine, you start to lose sight of what actually matters.
For me, it became a never-ending cycle: refreshing analytics, overanalyzing every post, and convincing myself that one more video might finally “blow up.” But even when a post did well, it didn’t move the needle financially. Likes and views were nice — but they didn’t create income.
I was spending hours brainstorming viral content that would vanish within a day, while wasting precious time that could’ve been used to build something lasting. The burnout was real.
Attention might feel good, but attention doesn’t pay your bills. Systems do.
THE WAKE-UP CALL
The turning point came when I looked at the numbers. My viral posts were getting engagement, but my income stayed the same. Meanwhile, one simple email funnel — built around a freebie and a small upsell — was generating consistent sales every single day.
That’s when I realized how upside down my strategy had become. I was giving all my energy to content that disappeared in a scroll, instead of focusing on assets that kept working for me.
So I made a decision: no more chasing virality. No more trying to please the algorithm. I was going to build systems that sold — quietly, consistently, and sustainably.
WHAT BUILDING SYSTEMS REALLY MEANS
When I say “systems that sell,” I’m talking about structures that make your business work for you.
For me, it started with a tripwire funnel — one freebie plus an upsell — connected to a short but strategic email sequence. Combined with Pinterest traffic, that single setup created a steady stream of leads and sales.
Here’s the difference: instead of waking up wondering how to “go viral,” I woke up to sales notifications. The funnel didn’t rely on timing, luck, or algorithms. It worked while I lived my life.
That’s the power of systems. They give you freedom, predictability, and peace of mind. They let you focus on creating value instead of chasing visibility.
THE MINDSET SHIFT (AND WHY IT MATTERS AFTER 40)
If you’re a woman over 40, you’ve probably been told it’s “too late” to reinvent yourself or build a business online. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
At this stage, you have something the online world undervalues — experience. You know how to manage life, pivot when needed, and play the long game. And that’s exactly what building systems requires.
Virality thrives on speed and chaos. Systems thrive on intention and consistency.
When you stop chasing quick wins and start creating long-term structures, your business begins to feel calm, aligned, and sustainable.
Going viral is exciting, sure. But waking up to sales from something you built once — that’s power. That’s freedom.
THE SIMPLE PATH FORWARD
You don’t need to overhaul your entire business overnight. Start simple. Here’s the exact path I took:
Audit your efforts. Look at where you’re spending the most energy for the least return. Be honest about what’s actually working.
Automate one process. Start with something simple, like a lead magnet delivery or a welcome email sequence.
Create one small offer. Focus on solving a recurring problem your audience faces — something they’ll gladly pay for.
Build one funnel. Combine your freebie, offer, and sequence into one streamlined experience.
Then, refine it. Don’t add more complexity — add more consistency. That’s the real game-changer.
When I combined my tripwire funnel with Pinterest, everything changed. No more endless brainstorming. No more algorithm anxiety. Just steady, dependable results.
Quitting the chase for virality wasn’t about giving up — it was about growing up in my business. I stopped measuring success by the speed of my growth and started valuing the stability of it.
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and chasing trends, this is your sign to slow down and build something that lasts. Systems don’t just sell — they sustain.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch how much lighter business feels when it finally starts working for you.
Ready to stop chasing trends and start creating results that last? My free Miracle Month Planner is here!
