Creating Viral Content…….I gotta be honest with you right off the bat—I used to think “viral content” was just luck. Like, you either trip in a funny way in front of a camera and the internet crowns you king for a week, or you’re doomed to post into the void forever.
And then one night—around 1 a.m., eating cold leftover pizza on my couch in Queens, scrolling TikTok half-asleep—I saw this video blow up. It wasn’t even that funny. Just a guy putting googly eyes on random stuff in his apartment. But here’s the thing: the edit was tight, the captions were flawless, and he had this filter that made everything look like a Wes Anderson movie. Suddenly I was like, “Wait. Tools. This dude knows which tools to use.”
And that’s when it clicked. Going viral isn’t just about being funny or cute or whatever—it’s about the behind-the-scenes magic that makes people stop scrolling. And yeah, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) what actually works.
So here are the 5 powerful tools for creating viral content on any platform. And no, I’m not talking about some boring “optimize your SEO” lecture. These are the tools I’ve actually used (or seen save people’s lives online).
1. CapCut – The Lazy Genius Editor
Look. I am not an editor. I tried using Premiere Pro once and ended up crying into my bodega coffee. CapCut, though? It’s like your chill friend who says, “Don’t worry, I got you.”
You want trendy transitions? CapCut’s got templates. You want captions that bounce perfectly in sync with the audio? Easy. And they’re not even paying me to say this (I wish they were).
I once made a meme edit of my roommate snoring with the Dune soundtrack playing behind it. Slapped it into CapCut, added dramatic captions, exported in like 5 minutes. That video? 200k views. Do I deserve it? Probably not. But CapCut made me look like a genius.
Why it’s viral-worthy: People love crisp edits. CapCut makes you look way more pro than you are.
2. Canva – Not Just for PTA Moms Anymore
Okay, hear me out before you roll your eyes. Canva used to be that place where your aunt made birthday invitations with Comic Sans. But now? Canva is like Photoshop’s fun cousin who shows up late to the party with snacks.
Need a YouTube thumbnail that screams click me without looking like you tried too hard? Canva. Need Instagram posts that don’t look like they were designed in Microsoft Paint? Canva.
I once used Canva to design a fake inspirational quote meme with my friend’s picture on it (long story, don’t ask). It said, “Sometimes you gotta eat the bagel even if it’s burnt.” That post ended up shared in like three Facebook groups. Dumb, yes. But proof Canva works.
Why it’s viral-worthy: Your visuals matter more than your feelings. Sad, but true. Canva makes things look polished without sucking your soul out.
3. Notion – The Brain Dump That Saves You
This one’s less flashy, but if you’re serious about making stuff that sticks, you need a system. Because let’s be real—half of content creation is forgetting your “brilliant” ideas at 3 a.m.
I use Notion like my chaotic second brain. Every dumb thought, every potential skit, every meme template idea—it all goes in there. Then when I’m sitting around bored on the 7 train, I scroll through and go, “Oh right, that idea where I compare Trader Joe’s snacks to zodiac signs.” Boom. Instant TikTok.
Why it’s viral-worthy: Consistency matters. Viral hits come from experimenting a lot. Notion keeps your chaos organized just enough to not lose the good stuff.
4. Epidemic Sound – Because Silence is Awkward
You ever watch a video with no background music? It feels… naked. Like walking into a party and realizing you’re the only one not wearing shoes.
Epidemic Sound is my go-to for audio because TikTok’s library is a copyright jungle. They’ve got tracks for everything. Want lo-fi coffee shop vibes? Got it. Want dramatic trailer music for your cat jumping off the couch? Yup.
I once uploaded a clip of my cousin falling asleep during Thanksgiving while holding a turkey leg. Added an overly dramatic soundtrack from Epidemic Sound. Everyone thought it was a Netflix preview. Viral.
Why it’s viral-worthy: Audio sets the mood. Good sound makes average footage feel intentional.
5. Discord/Reddit Groups – The Secret Sauce
Alright, this isn’t a traditional “tool,” but it’s maybe the most important. You can make the funniest video in the world, but if you post it into the void, who’s gonna see it?
That’s where creator communities on Discord and Reddit come in. I’ve dropped my clips in groups where people hype each other up, give feedback, and sometimes even help push your post into trending territory.
One time, I posted a dumb meme edit of pigeons fighting over a bagel (classic Queens moment). On my own, it probably would’ve gotten like 50 pity likes. But I shared it in a Reddit group, and someone reposted it to Twitter where it blew up. Suddenly I was “the bagel pigeon guy.”
Why it’s viral-worthy: Virality is teamwork. Having a community makes sure your stuff doesn’t die in silence.
Side Tangent: My Accidental Viral Fail: Creating Viral Content
Just to keep myself humble here—I once tried to use all these tools at once. Edited a clip in CapCut, made a thumbnail in Canva, planned the rollout in Notion, added music from Epidemic Sound, then hyped it in Discord.
Guess what? It flopped. Like, embarrassingly so. Sometimes the internet just says “nah.” So yeah, tools are powerful, but you still gotta leave room for chaos.
Final-ish Thoughts about Creating Viral Content
So yeah—those are the 5 powerful tools for creating viral content on any platform. They won’t guarantee fame, but they’ll give you a fighting chance.
My advice? Pick one, mess around, embarrass yourself, laugh when it flops, try again. That’s the real secret: you just keep going.
And hey—if you ever make a video of a dancing dog at a Queens BBQ with a VHS filter and post it with the perfect caption… tag me. I’ll hype it up.
