The Viral Content Trap:
Why Going Viral Won’t Grow Your Business

By Tim Ikels

Last Updated: December 20, 2024

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Let’s get real for a second: everyone’s heard the term “going viral.”

You see a video blow up on social media, or a meme spread like wildfire, and it grabs attention for a minute, maybe a day.

And it’s tempting—really tempting—to think that this is what you want for your business. After all, wouldn’t a viral post mean more eyeballs, more recognition, and, eventually, more customers?

But here’s the catch: viral content—the kind that really catches fire—is almost never the kind of content that drives long-term business growth.

In fact, chasing viral fame can actually be a distraction from what truly builds a successful business: creating scalable, asset-based lead generation systems that predictably generate new leads.

Viral Content is All About Emotion, Not Action

The reason something goes viral is because it hits hard on emotions—usually at the extremes.

Maybe it’s funny, shocking, controversial, or tugging at the heartstrings. But here’s the thing: viral content is often fleeting, and it rarely sticks with people in a way that benefits your business.

People scroll, laugh (or gasp), maybe even share, and then move on. It’s like a firework—bright and exciting, but over in seconds.

Viral content lives for the thrill, not for utility. It’s designed to get attention, not to build relationships or trust.

Viral Fame Rarely Translates to Leads

Most businesses would actually be better off focusing on lead-generating content and asset creation.

Viral posts bring in views, but they rarely bring in leads.

Why? Because “viral” is broad, and it’s random.

When something goes viral, it’s reaching everyone and their mother—most of whom aren’t even close to your target audience. Sure, you’ll get some visitors to your page, but are they actually people who want or need what you’re offering? Probably not.

In the end, most viral content is great for entertaining people, but not so great for engaging potential customers.

Consistent, Useful Content Beats Viral Every Time

For a business, what really works isn’t the flashy viral stuff; it’s the consistent, useful content that solves a problem, answers a question, or gives your ideal customers exactly what they need.

This type of content builds trust over time. It establishes you as the go-to resource for something valuable.

It brings in the right people—the ones who want what you’re offering and are likely to come back for more.

And that’s what drives real, sustainable growth.

Viral Content Is a Gamble. Predictable Lead Generation Is a Strategy.

Going viral is like gambling. Sometimes it pays off, but most of the time, you’re just chasing a thrill.

It’s flashy, it’s risky, and it’s almost impossible to control.

But creating and marketing assets that reliably generate new leads? That’s a strategy.

And it’s one that pays off consistently, without the need for a viral moment.

So, let’s stop chasing the fireworks.

Let’s focus on creating something evergreen—something that can keep working for your business day in, day out, without needing to go viral.

Want to learn how to build a reliable, asset-based lead generation system without needing to chase viral fame?

Check out my new book, The Automatic Lead Machine.

It’s all about how one simple, short book can reliably bring you evergreen leads that keep your business growing predictably, even without the spotlight.

Best,
Tim