Beyond the Bank

It all started with a video that my brother and I made on a whim. And to be honest, it was the result of boredom. We were at a tennis tournament, watching our mom play for hours. We were sweaty. We were hungry. We were looking for some sort of distraction.

“Wanna make a TikTok?”, I asked my brother. “There’s a new trend called #CouplesDictionary, but we could make our own version called #SiblingDictionary”.

This trend involves inside jokes. One person tries to make the other guess phrases or words that only they use amongst themselves. It’s a fun way to show just how well two people know each other. And if you’ve ever met Caleb and me, you’d see how this trend would be a no-brainer for us.

“Sure,” he replied. “What else do we have to do?”

We recorded the video in one long take. No microphones or fancy lighting. Just me (zero makeup + a ball cap) and Caleb (sweaty forehead) honking like possessed geese as we made each other laugh.

I posted the video on my personal account, left the tennis courts, and didn’t think about it again until Caleb called me the next morning.

“Have you seen our Tiktok video from yesterday?!” He was practically yelling. “I think it’s blowing up!”

I opened my TikTok app and didn’t believe what I was seeing. Our video had hit over 3 million views. In less than twelve hours, my follower count tripled. (Then quadrupled.) The comments flooded in. But it wasn’t just limited to TikTok. New people followed me on Instagram and Facebook too. It was like some invisible digital floodgate had swung open.

“Really?!”, I thought to myself. “Out of all the videos I’ve created over the years, this is the one that goes viral?”

The Video That Changed Everything

As a keynote speaker and bank marketing professional, I am no stranger to being in front of a camera. I’ve posted hours and hours of professional content in my lifetime, hoping that one video would “pop off”. I used fancy editing, ring lights, and even teleprompters. And NONE of those produced videos did as well as the now infamous #SiblingDictionary video had.

What was it about THIS particular video that pleased the so-called “social media gods”? To be quite honest with you, I’m still not sure. But one thing I now know for certain? I’m no longer afraid to post in the moment.

Welcome to the wild world of viral social media, where anything can happen—and sometimes, it actually does. Nearly a year later, that one TikTok video has completely changed our lives. Because of it, we were able to:

• Launch one of Louisiana’s most popular independently produced podcasts
• Start earning income as content creators on Facebook and TikTok
• Book paid gigs as on-air talent

And none of that would’ve happened if we hadn’t posted a silly video while killing time at a tennis match.

Why One Viral Post Can Open Doors You Didn’t Even Know Existed

1. Visibility Is Currency
   Going viral is like being handed a microphone at a Taylor Swift concert. Suddenly, thousands (or millions) of people are paying attention. That includes potential clients, collaborators, and maybe a production company who’d like to help you bring a podcast to life? One clever post can do more for your visibility than six months of networking events and a month on a billboard.
2. It Builds Credibility (Even If It's Slightly Ridiculous)
   No, my “Sibling Dictionary” TikTok video might not scream "industry thought leader," but it does show my creativity, timing, and the ability to capture attention—all things that customers, brands, or collaborators love. Viral moments offer a chance to show who you really are, unscripted. And people respond to that.
3. The Algorithm Gods Might Bless You Again
   Once you’ve gone viral, you’re not just a person—you’re a persona. That means your next post has a better chance of being seen. So it’s important to capitalize on a viral moment while it’s fresh. The old “make hay while the sun is shining” attitude. But it’s not JUST about posting. The second secret sauce is engaging with those who engage with you. The algorithm LOVES participation. Don’t “post and ghost”. Keep the conversation going! Someone says they like your outfit in your latest OOTD video? Reply back and ask them what their favorite shoe brand is. It’s not rocket science—it’s real, relatable interaction.
4. Opportunities Knock—Loudly
   It’s simple, really. Our TikTok video gave us the momentum and “social proof” we needed to launch a podcast. It was the digital street cred that opened real doors. People want to work with people who understand how to capture attention—and if you’ve done it once, that’s proof you can do it again. Think about it: when choosing a restaurant on vacation, are you more likely to go with the one that has 1,000 reviews and an active Instagram—or the one with half a Google listing and a Facebook post from 2023? I know which one I’m grabbing a cucumber margarita from!

Final Thoughts: Post the Thing

You don’t need to be famous. You just need to be interesting. One viral post won’t define your career, but it might just launch the next chapter.

So go ahead—post the thing. That clever take, wild idea, or strangely compelling cat photo might be the key to an opportunity you never saw coming.

Because sometimes, opportunity is just one post away.