Now to the crux – making money. There are multiple ways to monetize a viral following, and you’ll want to choose those that fit your content and audience. Here are common monetization paths:
Own Products or Services: This is often the most straightforward route to a business. What can you sell that relates to your viral content? If you showcased a product you made, like our cocoa bomb example, that’s your product (just ramp up production!). If your content was expertise-based (e.g., a finance tip went viral), perhaps you can offer a paid guide, an online course, or consulting services. If you’re an artist or entertainer, merchandise (prints, t-shirts with your catchphrase, etc.) is a great option. The key is to ensure it aligns with why people followed you. A viral photographer could sell presets or a photobook; a viral fitness trainer might launch a workout program or nutrition coaching.
Start small: You don’t need a full line of products immediately. Even one simple offering can start bringing in income. For instance, after one viral baking video, a creator began selling a PDF of her top 10 recipes for $5 each – an easy digital product that thousands bought, netting her a quick profit and validating demand.
Physical vs Digital: Digital products (e-books, templates, courses) have low overhead and instant delivery, making them excellent for capitalizing fast on a viral wave. Physical products (clothing, gadgets, etc.) can be lucrative but require production and shipping. Some creators use print-on-demand or drop-shipping services initially to avoid upfront costs for merch.
Example: The Saleh family behind Lala Hijabs (mentioned earlier) had thousands of people asking where to buy their tie-dye hijabs post-viral. They quickly invested their savings to produce inventory and launched the business – because they recognized the demand was there. That first drop sold out thanks to the buzz, immediately turning views into revenue.
Affiliate Marketing: If your viral content featured or reviewed products (even if that wasn’t the main point), you can monetize by recommending those products with affiliate links. Sign up for affiliate programs (Amazon Associates, Commission Junction, etc.) and share links to items you used or mentioned. For example, a viral home DIY video could add, “Here’s the toolkit I used [affiliate link].” Given the volume of eyeballs, even a small conversion rate can earn money. Some creators have famously made substantial affiliate income when their recommendation went viral (like a makeup product selling out after a TikTok review – those who had affiliate links ready made a nice cut). This works best if your content naturally involves products or services people can buy.
Sponsored Content and Brand Deals: Brands love virality and may approach you – sometimes within days of your post blowing up – for collaborations. Be cautious to partner with brands that make sense for your image (maintaining trust with your new audience is crucial). But definitely consider sponsorships as a revenue stream. If you have one viral hit, you become a “viral creator” in that moment and can command significant fees for a featured post or an endorsement. If brands aren’t knocking yet, you can be proactive: reach out to companies related to your content. For instance, if your funny cat video went viral, pet brands might be interested – draft a brief media kit (highlight your viral stats and audience demographics) and send it out.
Keep in mind long-term potential: a well-executed brand deal can turn into ongoing partnership. A small business that saw you go viral might want a series of sponsored posts, effectively becoming a steady client.
Also, after a viral hit, local media or organizations might invite you for paid speaking, workshops, etc., if relevant to your niche.
Ad Revenue and Creator Funds: Depending on the platform of your virality, you might directly earn from the platform. For example, if it’s YouTube, a viral video can rack up significant AdSense revenue if you’re in the Partner Program. If it’s TikTok, the Creator Fund might pay something (though often not huge). Facebook and Snapchat have had bonus programs for viral videos too. This might not be “business” income per se, but it can be seed money to invest in your budding brand. Don’t rely on it solely, but take advantage if available.
Patreon or Memberships: If your content is the kind people would consistently want (e.g., you’re a musician who went viral with a song, or a comic who posts sketches), you can set up a Patreon or channel membership where fans pay a monthly subscription for exclusive content. Viral fame can drive a lot of sign-ups quickly because a fraction of millions of viewers might want more direct access to you. This creates recurring revenue. Just be ready to fulfill the perks (behind-the-scenes, extra content, shoutouts, etc.).
Licensing Your Viral Content: Interestingly, if your actual viral post is in demand, you can license it. Sometimes media outlets, TV shows, or websites will pay to use your video or image. Viral video licensing agencies like Jukin Media might reach out to represent your video. They help get it featured on ads or compilations, and you get a share. If your content is extremely viral (e.g., a funny clip that news channels want to show), ensure you’re the rights holder and consider licensing it for additional profit. This is how some meme creators or viral video owners made tens of thousands – by licensing their clip for commercials or TV usage.
The optimal approach often is multiple streams. For example, you might launch a product line AND do some sponsored posts AND earn ad revenue. Diversifying ensures if one thing slows, others pick up.