1 MILLION VIEWS: WHAT TIKTOK TAUGHT ME ABOUT CREATING FLOPPING AND HAVING FUN

Okay, so picture this: a year ago, I was uploading clunky videos at home office desk and just hoping someone out there would find it even halfway helpful or amusing. Fast-forward to today—I’ve hit 1 million views on TikTok, a sentence I still find a bit surreal. If you’d told me when I started that the majority of my videos would barely crack 400 views, but a handful would take off, I’d have laughed you off the (virtual) stage. But here we are. This post isn’t some polished, ‘How to Go Viral’ nonsense—it’s the unfiltered truth from the heart of an ordinary, over 40’s creator. What the thank you video and see what’s surprised me most about the digital climb.

When ‘Perfect’ Videos Flop and Unscripted Ones Fly

Chasing Perfection? It’ll Do Your Head In

Ever spent hours editing a video, trimming every second, adding fancy transitions, making sure every frame looks flawless? I have. Honestly, it nearly drove me mad. The more I obsessed over perfect cuts and polished effects, the less fun it became. And for what? Half the time, those “perfect” videos just… flopped.

Raw Clips, Real Results

• My least-polished, spur-of-the-moment clips did the best—go figure.
• One night, I filmed a quick how-to video so that I wouldn’t forget on how to do it. No script, no fancy gear, just me rambling. That video racked up thousands of views. The one I slaved over for hours? Barely a blip.
• It’s almost like the more “real” I was, the more people watched.

Sometimes the raw real videos are even better.

Forget the Gear—It’s Not the Secret

I used to think I needed a high-end camera, a ring light, maybe even a drone. Turns out, my phone did the trick. The TikTok crowd doesn’t care if your video looks like a Hollywood film. They want to see you—your quirks, your mess-ups, your real self. Raw honesty lands harder than any filter ever could.

Let Go of Production Perfection

You can’t force authenticity. The more I tried to script and polish, the less people connected. When I let go and just shared what was on my mind, things changed. Early on, my videos barely scraped 400 views. Now? Some hit 4,000, and I’ve cracked a million total views. Not because I got better at editing, but because I got better at being myself.

1. Obsession with flawless editing does your head in.
2. My least-polished, spur-of-the-moment clips did the best—go figure.
3. Quality equipment isn’t the secret; raw honesty lands harder.
4. Let go of the production perfection—you can’t force authenticity.

So, if you’re stuck editing for hours, maybe just hit record and see what happens. Perfection isn’t needed.

Persistence Pays Off—Even When Your Numbers Are Average

Small Wins, Big Feels

Ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut, posting video after video and only seeing tiny bumps in the numbers? Yeah, I’ve been there. It’s tough to keep going when the wins are small. Sometimes, it feels like shouting into the void. My early TikToks? Most of them hovered around 200 views. Maybe 1,000 if I was lucky. Not exactly viral.

Trying, Failing, and Learning

• Trying and failing is just part of the process. It’s not the end of the road.
• Disappointment? It’s real. But honestly, it’s just a stepping stone.
• Setbacks aren’t failures—they’re lessons in disguise.

I nearly quit after one particularly bad flop. Felt like I’d hit a wall. But a mate nudged me, told me to keep at it. So I did. And you know what? That made all the difference.

Those moments aren’t failures. They’re just small stepping stones.

There’s no shortcut. Consistency is crucial. Success takes time, and sometimes it feels like you’re just spinning your wheels. But every post, even the ones that flop, is a step forward. I stayed stuck at the 400–1,000 mark for ages. Felt a bit silly, honestly. But I kept posting.

• Early videos: about 200 views – they call this the TikTok 200 Jail – it’s real and brutal
• Now: up to a total of 4,000 views each day.
• Over 1 million cumulative views.

It only takes one video to start an upward spiral. Most of my stuff landed with a thud. But then, out of nowhere, a few videos started doing well. Never thought they would, but they did. I take that as a win.

Staying dedicated and consistent matters more than chasing overnight hits. If something doesn’t perform well, don’t let it stop you. Don’t treat it like a wall. Just keep creating. The right video will come.

Trying new things is half the fun. I’ve filmed in odd places, used weird props, and said things I’d never say out loud. There’s a strange joy in not knowing what’ll happen next. It’s unpredictable, a bit messy, but that’s where the magic is.

The journey is meant to be enjoyed.

Success isn’t a straight line. There are ups, downs, and plenty of weird zigzags. I try to embrace the stumbles, celebrate every number, and keep the spark of fun alive—because if it’s not enjoyable, what’s the point? The support from the community, even from strangers, keeps me going.

But that’s the thing: occasionally, running with offbeat ideas is what the algorithm favours. It’s not always about strategy or sticking to a formula. Sometimes, it’s just about having a laugh and seeing what happens.

So, as I wrap up this wild ride to one million views, I reckon the biggest lesson is to keep things light. Don’t be afraid to try something new—even if it feels a bit odd or off-topic. The next viral moment could be hiding in a pile of socks, or in a moment you nearly didn’t post.

Thanks for sticking with me through the flops and the wins. Here’s to more experiments, more laughs, and maybe a few more socks—just not in my dog’s mouth this time.

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