48. I Didn't Go Viral - Now What?

Send us a text

In today’s episode, we're talking about something that doesn’t get enough airtime: what it looks like to build a brand, a business, and a body of work without going viral. Yep—this one's for the slow builders, the quiet creators, and the ones still showing up even when the algorithm seems like it’s ghosting them.

We’ve all seen the flashy headlines: “She gained 200K followers overnight,” “He made $5K in one launch with no ads.” That’s amazing for them—but what about the rest of us? The 99.9% who are growing slowly, steadily, and maybe even sipping lukewarm coffee while juggling it all?

Let’s talk about the truth: viral doesn’t always equal viable. And slow doesn’t mean you’re failing. In this episode, I’m sharing a gentle but real pep talk for anyone feeling like their business isn’t growing "fast enough." Plus, you’ll walk away with 5 practical tips to grow with purpose, consistency, and peace (even if your microwave is broken like mine).

Cheers! Thank you for joining us for another episode. Have a chaotic moment, question, or topic you want us to cover? Drop us a message or leave a review! If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who thrives in beautiful chaos too.

Let’s Connect:

• Connect with us via email at [e-mail]
• Follow us on Instagram: @caffeinatedchaospodcast or @aguonstudios
• Join our email list: Click Here to Become a VIP
• Sip and Share: Click here to submit

APPLY HERE to be a podcast guest
Want to sponsor or run an ad on our podcast? Email us for options.

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Caffeinated Chaos are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, beliefs, or positions of Whitney Aguon or Aguon Studios LLC. The content shared by guests is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We encourage listeners to do their own research and form their own...

Episode Transcript

(00:35):
Welcome back to the podcastfriends.
So today we're diving into atopic that has been kind of
tugging on my heartstrings, andmaybe yours, I didn't go viral.
Now what?
Yep.
We're talking about thepainfully slow, kind of awkward,
incredibly unsexy reality ofbuilding something that matters

(00:56):
when you're not blowing up onsocial media.
You know the stories.
She posted one reel and got200,000 followers overnight.
He made 5,000 K in one launchwith zero ad spend.
This video went viral and nowthey're booked out for six
months.
Look, I'm not knocking on theirsuccess.
That's amazing.
Truly, really.

(01:16):
Do I sound sure, but what aboutthe rest of us?
The 99.9% building slowly,sometimes very slowly, the ones
showing up every day and hearingcricket.
It's, and they are gettinglouder, the ones pouring their
heart into their business whilealso reheating coffee three

(01:38):
times and managing a tallermeltdown mid email.
Honestly, right now, everyone, Iwish I could reheat my coffee.
Our microwave is broken, so Iguess my coffee is now my iced
coffee for today.
Social media has trained us tothink that fast growth equals
success.
But here's the truth that no onesays viral doesn't always equal

(02:02):
viable and slow doesn't mean youare failing.
Let's get honest because youknow, we like getting honest
here.
When you work really hard onsomething, whether it's a
launch, a post, a new product,and it barely gets seen, ouch,
we know it hurts.
You start to think, maybe you'renot cut out for this.

(02:22):
Maybe my idea wasn't goodenough, or maybe people don't
care, but that's not the truth.
That's immediate feedback.
Culture.
We're so used to instantvalidation that slow growth
feels kind of like rejection,but in reality it's just a long
game playing out.
Think about it.

(02:43):
A baby doesn't walk in a day.
A tree doesn't grow overnightand a business doesn't become
sustainable from a single post.
Slow growth gives you time tobuild systems, resilience and
relationships that last.
If you take away from one thing,let it be, this consistency is

(03:03):
greater than viral.
Every single time.
That viral video might bring10,000 followers, but if you
disappear right after, thenthey'll unfollow you just as
fast.
But when you show up, even when12 people watch your story, even
when the only comment is fromyour cousin.
You are building trust, that'show you become known, not just

(03:28):
seen.
Let me tell you something aboutGaN CEOs.
I didn't build it overnight.
It didn't start with a hundredclients.
It started with a few smallvendors at a small popup, and I
gave them my all.
And guess what?
They started referring othersslowly, quietly.
Offline.

(03:48):
And now I have a brand that I'mproud of because I built it with
integrity, not just trends.
So let's get practical becauseyou know, I love a good
checklist moment too.
Here are some things that youcan do to help grow slow and
strong.
I want you to, one, shift yourmetrics.

(04:08):
Stop obsessing overviews andlikes.
Start tracking engagement andrelationships.
Are people DMing you?
Are they opening your emails?
Are they coming back for more?
Those are the real metrics thatyou should be looking at.
Two, batch and breathe.
See, I am doing this today.

(04:30):
I already finished threeinterview episodes.
So batch your content when youcan do it during nap times if
you have kids, or when you'restarting to feel inspired.
Don't burn out chasing dailycontent just to quote unquote.
To beat the algorithm.
Three, I want you to talk toyour people.

(04:50):
Slow growth.
It equals better access to youraudience.
Ask them questions.
Respond to the dms that you get.
Use the time now to buildcommunity before you're
overwhelmed with attention.
Four, repeat yourself.
You're not being annoying bybeing consistent.
People need to hear thingsmultiple times before they take

(05:13):
action.
Reintroduce your offer, reshareyour story, reuse your content
in new ways.
Five.
Celebrate Quiet wins one sale.
Celebrate it, one kind.
Review, screenshot and save it.
One person who said your wordsmattered.
Well, now that's the wholepoint, isn't it?

(05:35):
Let's not pretend this doesn'tfeel lonely, because I get it.
It does.
It's hard to put yourself outthere when it feels like nobody
is watching.
It's hard to keep creating whenthe dopamine hits are few and
very far between.
But here's the reminder, someoneis watching.
Someone sees you quietly showingup and you're inspiring them to

(05:58):
not quit.
You don't need 10,000 followers.
You just need 10 aligned peoplewho believe in what you do.
You don't need to go viral, youjust need to be valued.
Now, let me leave you with this.
If you are showing up whileraising babies, managing chaos,
navigating the burnout and thebreakthroughs you are not

(06:21):
behind, you are building in themargins.
You are creating somethingmeaningful and that counts for
everything.
See, I believe in buildingbrands that are rooted, not
rushed, brands that arepersonal, powerful, and
unapologetically real.
So if you've been growingquietly and steadily, you're

(06:41):
doing it right.
Keep going.
The people who need to hear yourmessage, they are coming for
you.
And when they find you, theywill stay.
Not because you went viral, butbecause you stayed true to who
you are.
Alright?
And as always, feel free toreach out to us on social, on
social media.
I am always on Instagram and onthreads, so please reach out.

(07:04):
Let's have some conversations.
Until then, keep showing up.
Keep sipping your lukewarmcoffee, minus turning into ice
coffee.
And remember, your pace isperfect just the way you are.
All right.
See you all next time, friends.
Bye now.