My first Facebook recipe video is viral (without boosting)! I’m pinching myself. Within the first few days, it has reached more than 29 million people – organically and been viewed by 11.5 million. Hundreds of thousands have shared it and commented and my FB page has exploded with new growth. I have a viral video. Yippee!
I’m jumping with joy and almost breaking down in tears at the same time. All the extra traffic crashed my site. At first, it was really slow as people started visiting my page and then it wouldn’t load at all. Finally, the dreaded database error and all sorts of errors began to pop up.
After being on the phone with my hosting site for hours and not getting the results I wanted, I got mad and switched sites right then and there. That may have been too hasty considering I was in the middle of a viral. Where’s the embarrassed emoji when I need it?
Something went haywire and a transfer to the new site that should have taken two hours took all day long. My website went down, down, down . . . for hours. All while people are saying those dreaded words, “Your website won’t load.” Oh, the pains of growth.
I was at a meeting Wednesday night and my VA and I were having a frenzied texting war as we realized that the video was going absolutely crazy. She took control and started answering people’s questions, namely, why is the site not loading? Where is the recipe? I love Skye (my amazing VA). She is one of a kind and went beyond her duties during all of the craziness.
Thankfully, I’m back up and running and I’ve learned a thing or two along the way. Be careful what you wish for and make sure your site can handle the explosion of traffic. I thought mine could because I was on a VPS server (Virtual Private Server). It wasn’t enough.
I hate that my website was down for almost 24 hours, but at least I’m upgraded and ready for that next viral video. Bring it!
In case you’re wondering, this is the viral video that’s going crazy on Facebook. Feel free to visit my Facebook page and share to keep that viral juice coming! 🙂
The Viral Video
Want the recipe? Grab it here!
P.S. – I’m so thankful that everyone wanting the recipe was patient and didn’t get angry because of the website crash. My Facebook followers are the best in the world!
19 comments
Congratulation on your video, I was one of those who had to try several times to leave a comment and I noticed you weren’t around yesterday. Glad everything is up an running. Now go do it again with another great video.
Congrats on going viral. So cool! I can see why. That recipe looks FABULOUS. I’m going to try it out.
Is always awesome when something goes viral on your site. When it crashes you about died because you losing all sorts of views. I’m glad you had everything up and running again. That recipe looks delicious.
Well, it is great that you have the viral video, but ugh about the site and the spur of the moment decision! I know I would have probably done the same thing! When I added ssl to my site, I forgot that I needed to change it in google analytics for about 3 weeks….let’s say, I won’t make that mistake again! I had no idea what was happening to my views lol. We live and learn!
I had my web developer do the SSL. I’m not techy at all! 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS on the viral video! Love your recipes! I bet your VA was freaking out by all the calls about your website. Glad you were able to get things back on track. Looking forward to more of your fab recipes Alli.
And I was in church trying not to look at my phone! 🙂
Oh wow well done on your viral video that is amazing but what a time for your hosting to go down! I think some VA’s really do need a round of applause for all they do as well.
Congratulations on your video going viral. Its always so weird because you just never know when something’s going to take off.
Uber congrats, my friend!!! Your video is amazing and you deserve to go viral. Dixie’s Pecan Pie Cobbler looks absolutely scrumptious. You’ll get through the growing pains. 🙂 Enjoy the moment!
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thanks, Lorelai! I don’t know what I would do without good blogger friends like you. We really need to meet up one of these days! 🙂 Until then, knowing you are just a Facebook message away really helps!
Wow! More than 20 million views, that is amazing. Yes it did result in a lot of issues, but I think really worth bearing considering the traffic you drew.
Congrats on your viral video, it’s awesome and I shared it. Thanks for sharing your experience! I had a viral post just a few months after starting my blog. It was not everything I hoped for. It was a beer cocktail recipe and all of the visitors were men and not my regular audience so they did not stay and many left negative comments. Going viral can be good and bad. Glad to know you’re ready for your next viral video. 🙂
I hate your viral was mostly men and they didn’t stay. 🙁 I’m actually getting a lot of new FB followers and people are signing up for emails. The revenue from my ads is nice too. Now, if it would only stay up and stop crashing.
Sounds like it was a crazy hectic few days, but I’m so happy for you that your video went viral! I love seeing bloggers go viral, it’s an inspiration for all of us that it could happen at any time.
This is so amazing. Congratulations . I love the recipe and it looks absolutely delicious. would love to try someday.
I can see why the video went viral. It looks so delicious and the editing was perfect! Also, I have experienced the dreaded website crash and the ensuing frustration. It’s the worst, but kudos to you for such a successful recipe!!
Wow, that would be so frustrating. A good VA to back you up is worth its weight in gold.
Yes! This was my very first viral and it’s still going strong. I know it will come to an end eventually but the ride is kinda nice. 🙂