Viral by Vyra · Issue 13
the truth about growing on social media
it's a long term game.
By Sulan Zhang · 2026-06-16 · first sent by email
Growing on social media is simple, actually.
But it starts with…
pt. 1 - the mental preparation
Maybe you fear what people will say about you, or you want better gear, or you want to wait until you feel ready…
It took me years to finally start posting. But in reality, there are no secret strategies.
Waiting longer delays the future you’re envisioning: where you inspire others, build community, and reach millions.
Don’t overthink. Just start.
(bonus idea): make a $50 bet with a friend that you’ll post 1x weekly (or daily) from now onwards, so you have the accountability to stay consistent. And begin!
pt. 2 - the ugly, the failing, the trying of many things
It’ll suck at first.
It took me 30 flopped reels to hit my first viral video. I had no idea what I was doing but by throwing things at the wall for 3 months, something eventually clicked…and a year later, I have 20k followers on Instagram.
If I had to restart, here’s what I’d do to accelerate time to first viral video:
STEAL - like an artist. Observe the viral videos and creators you’re drawn to and identify what you resonate with. Their visual language? Storytelling? Editing style? Don’t reinvent the wheel. Steal what is already working!
hooks are everything - hooks = first 3 seconds of your video. This is where a viewer decides whether the rest of your video is worth watching, and therefore is the most critical part of the video. You should steal hooks and repurpose them for yourself!
enjoy - at the end of the day, the goal is to love the process of creating content. Posting content is a compounding game; the biggest dividends arrive after immense patience.
I’m working to grow the Vyra account from scratch and embarking on this journey once more. But this time around, I’ve noticed I’m approaching things in a more regimented way: steal, hook, and enjoy :)
pt. 3 - after you get your first hit
Double down on what works. Repeat the format, hook, style, because what works will likely work again.
In the meantime, continue experimenting with videos you’re drawn to creating…
and settle in for the long term game.
The best creators have been at this for years.
Their sheer volume of content, built up by consistently showing up, cements their reputation as a top-tier creator.
So ultimately, while a viral hit is what we aspire to reach in the short term, the long term is to enjoy the entire cycle: trying, failing, creating, succeeding, and beyond.
Let me know if you start posting. We’re here to cheer you on!
until next week,
Sulan :)
@sulansart
P.S. I’ve been editing all my content on Vyra, which speeds up my process immensely. Give it a try and let me know what you think! Or just send me your thoughts (by replying to this email). I read every message :)