Q&A: This Content Creator Went Viral on TikTok

If you’re a digital content creator, going viral online is probably at the top of your bucket list. I mean, what is better than hundreds of thousands (or millions?!) of people getting to experience and engage with your content? Truly a dream come true for anyone who dedicates the time and energy to their account. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that you gain a lot of followers quickly.

We had the opportunity to chat with Sarah Dealy (@watermelonjibbitz on TikTok!) who’s “Day in The Life” videos blew up overnight on the video content platform. Check out what she has to say about the experience!

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Q: What inspired you to start filming content? Did you start on Instagram or TikTok?

A: I’ve been watching the classic successful daily vloggers for as long as I can remember (Aspyn Ovard, Julia Havens, Alisha Marie), and slowly grew attached to smaller TikTok accounts. I saw a few blow up right in front of me, from 100 followers to 100,000 followers in the matter of a few months! I realized that TikTok is an app that allows people who may not think they are anything special, to absolutely flourish! I finally decided to post consistently, and not even a week later people had started to catch on (not to mention my friends and family loved it from the beginning).

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Q: What was your experience on or relationship with TikTok like before you went viral?

A: I was an avid scroller, but rarely ever posted. I’m honestly not sure why- what was I afraid of?! After all, anything goes when it comes to TikTok!

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Q: …What’s it like now?

A: Truly surreal. I tend to forget just how many people I have following along on my day-to-day life. I am so appreciative of every single person who follows, likes, comments, or even just views my videos! It’s pretty rare that I have a negative comment, and I still can’t get over how positive my page is (all thanks to my followers!).

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Q: Tell us about realizing you went viral. Where were you? How did you react?

A: I think I was on my way home from work. I had been busy all day, with barely enough time to look at my phone. When I finally pulled open the app, I saw that my regular old morning routine video had hit almost a million views… then over a million…. Then two million…. And it’s now sitting at 3.6 million. I was honestly in shock, smiled to myself, and immediately called Jack (we all know Jack- he’s been my cheerleader through it all!), and his excitement made it feel more real.

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Q: How has content creation impacted you IRL? How did your friends and family react to you going viral?

A: I’d like to hope it hasn’t changed me! I’m still a very normal person who goes to her very normal job and lives a very normal life! I just happen to film it all :). My friends and family have all been so supportive and excited for me! They love keeping up with my videos (especially considering I don’t live at home anymore), and I think it makes them happy to be able to see me happy in my day to day normal life!

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Q: Where do you see your account going?

A: I ask myself this question a lot! And the answer is, I truly don’t know. I didn’t expect it to blow up like it did, so who knows what could happen! I’d be very content if it stayed where it is right now with such a supportive group of followers, and I’d of course be ecstatic if it kept growing! Only time will tell, but I’ll definitely keep posting in the meantime!

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Q: Tell us a bit about you behind the scenes.

A: Lots of time setting up the camera! Up until Christmas, I was using random objects around the house to prop up my camera. Finally, my dad decided I needed a mini tripod, and it truly has been a game changer! I will admit the everyday normal tasks (making coffee, cleaning the house, making my bed) take triple as long when I’m trying to set up a million different angles, but it’s all worth it!

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Q: What inspires you?

A: Honestly, knowing that my everyday life inspires others is what keeps me going. I’ve gotten so many heartwarming messages from younger nursing students who say I make them excited to go into such a difficult field, and I love that I am a driving force in their career because I know they are going to do such amazing things!

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Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?

A: My coffee addiction. Any coffee, any time of the day, will make my day. I’ll go up to 3-4 cups in a day, it’s so bad.

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Q: What’s your dream brand partnership?

A: This is a tough question! I’m so grateful for all my opportunities so far. I think as of now my dream partnership would be some kind of big clothing company like Urban Outfitters or Revolve (but who am I kidding, I was already blessed with Princess Polly!). I’ve also always loved jewelry, and was lucky enough to work with my go-to jewelry company (Gorjana) very early on, and I’m still not over that!

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Q: From Instagram Reels to TikTok, video content is booming and not expected to stop any time soon. What do you think it is about video content that makes it so engaging to audiences?

A: I’ve asked myself this a lot! I also have a lot of people asking me this all the time, and it’s embarrassing that I don’t have an answer for them. I think my life is a blessed yet attainable lifestyle that I am very lucky to have, and that inspires my followers. I also am a new nurse amid the pandemic and am able to keep a generally positive perspective (on the outside at least, some days are surely harder than others) which is refreshing to see for those going into the field.

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Q: Your ‘day in the life’ content feels so authentic. How do you decide what moments of your day you want to capture?

A: I honestly try to capture as much as I can throughout the day, and I pick through the clips at the end of the day! Some of my days are more boring than others, so I’ll include things like brushing my teeth. Other days I’m busier, and the clips will consist of things like skiing, traveling, hiking, etc!

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Q: You’re a nurse working in a pandemic. How does filming impact you on draining or difficult days?

A: I love interacting with my followers, so reading through the comments on my posts is really refreshing after tough days at work. On the other hand, sometimes I’m too drained to even put in the effort of setting up the camera, so I don’t! My followers are so patient and understanding, I rarely have guilt about not posting one day or another.

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Q: What advice do you have for other content creators looking to grow their following?

A: Consistency is key! You might think your videos won’t attract much attention, but you’d be surprised! Sometimes your day to day life is therapeutic for others to watch. If you post consistently everyday, you give people something to look forward to, and they eventually catch on and follow along!

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Q: Anything else you’d like to share?

A: I am so grateful for my following! I appreciate every single one of you, and I wish I could meet you all! Also, I see the comments about the apartment tour, and I promise I’ll get it done as soon as the apartment is officially fully decorated!! We’ve still got two corners to fill. I know, I’m picky.

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