Why a Concise Story Went Viral in My Smallest Publication
Lessons for Writers and Readers from This Insightful Piece That Captured Massive Attention
I published this story for Medium readers, too.
Dear Subscriber, happy weekend. I hope you are well. Today I uploaded 8 training videos, which include audio versions of my Substack Mastery book. This remarkable program was designed and presented by our editor and curator
. It will be published on Udemy, Skillshare and many other educational platforms. Aiden wanted me to post them for my pub subscribers. Paid members can find access to them in this section. I will upload more soon. It will be 21 videos. He will also turn my upcoming advanced book into a training program.Tomorrow
editors will post our December newsletter. They also interviewed me for several hours for predictions in 2025 asking me a dozen of important questions and they will present them in a 20 to 30-minute edited post. IN this post, I will answer a frequently asked question by many writers. What types of stories go viral and key point points to increase the chance.Unusual Virality Patterns
As the chief editor of 15 publications on Medium, I am constantly deconstructing what makes a story work for a reader. My largest publication, followed by 165K readers, published thousands of stories in 2024, but the best and boosted ones hardly got 10000 views. But a story got 559K views on Illumination in 2021. We miss those days.
However, a short yet mentally/emotionally sharp article in my new smallest publication, Magnetic Newsletter Pro, with only 327 followers, received around 40,000 views and is still trending. The irony is that the author, who has only 892 followers, and I, who has 102K, had very few viral articles in 2024 despite having a large social media following. I am delighted about the story's performance and will share the possible secrets with you based on my analysis.
I analyzed 100+ stories that went viral in 2021, and since then, I have reviewed many more and gained insights from significant outliers in my publications. We have published over a million stories and now have some ideas about which ones have the potential for viral use. The spoiler alert: it is not just the content itself but how it is delivered.
The story by
titled “Make $20,000 in Savings into $1,000 per Month Passive Income” was shared like wildfire in our littlest magazine and I think we can learn a few things from its success as writers and readers. I will summarize the key points to give you some ideas.This is a quick taste of the characteristics of viral stories. In next post I will provide a detailed guide to increase the chance of getting viral stories based on my 5 years of research journal.
posted a short story sharing his perspectives from his Health and Science publication, too. He titled it “Never Let the Size of a Pub or a Book to Fool You for Virality!”A Quick Analysis of the Viral Story on the Smallest Pub in 6 Steps
1. A Clear and Aspirational Promise
The title of this story is a treat of clarity and mystery. It has a concrete, achievable objective: convert savings into passive income. Financial freedom is a universal desire, and so the article is immediately applicable and palatable. A good headline can do wonders for the writing of any piece.
2. Authority and Credibility
It relies on the investment advice of Warren Buffett, a finance guru. It is credible by grounding it in examples of real-world problems (e.g., Buffett’s Coca-Cola purchase). These people believe in the ideas because they are backed by results, and it is this trust that leads to shares and discussions. Yes, writers can borrow credibility, and I articulated this in my upcoming book for advanced Substack writers, which will be published on 31 December 2024.
3. A Balanced Perspective
The article is optimistic, but it isn’t above acknowledging dangers, like the ebb and flow of investments. This is given a human edge by the caveats and subtle discussions of patience and long-term strategy that make the article both responsible and relatable. Writers must learn to weigh optimism against realism and still earn our trust.
4. Strategic Structure and Visual Aids
It’s a thoughtfully penned story that dissects hard stuff into bite-sized chunks. Illustrations — graphs and numbers — help bring the message to even lay investors. That’s the reason why reading and visual attention matter to the success of the article.
5. Relevance to Timely Concerns
This story appeals to today’s economic fears and provides an outline for dealing with financial instability. Through such topics as dividend growth, stock picking, and macroeconomic problems, it meets the reader at his/her doorstep with real-world solutions to nagging issues.
6. Building a Community to Reach a Broader Audience
I emphasized the value of community for a long time. Communities amplify stories. By inviting readers to subscribe to his established newsletter, the author turns casual readers into an engaged community.
This approach encourages repeated interaction, ensuring the article’s impact grows beyond the initial read, amplifying its reach and influence over time.
It is one of the reasons I founded ILLUMINATION and smaller publications like Curated Newsletters, SYNERGY (Newsletter Booster), Technology Hits, ILLUMINATION Book Chapters, Readers Hope, and Magnetic Newsletter Pro to help writers find their community and reach a broad audience by integrating Medium and Substack in a smart way, leveraging the power of both creator-friendly platforms.
As a bonus, I analyzed the story for SEO, and it matched well with my principles. I can assure you that SEO is not dead, but it is evolving.
Is SEO Dead or Simply Evolving? A Strategic Perspective on AI, Content Search, and the Future of Content Marketingmedium.com
If you want your stories to be boosted, you can check out my comprehensive checklist in the attached story. It is a 20 minutes crash course.
New Writers: Enhance the Chance of Boosting By Using This Checklist
Key Lessons for Readers and Writers
For Readers
Crave Depth, Not Quick Fixes: Stories like this remind us of the power of thoughtful, well-researched content. Look for writing that challenges your perspective, empowers your decisions, and sparks actionable change.
Pursue the Marathon, Not the Sprint: Financial wisdom — and life’s most rewarding goals — are built on patience, persistence, and consistency. Let stories like this be a reminder that true growth requires time, steady effort, and trust in the process.
Seek Inspiration, Not Just Information: Viral stories can be great reading for you because they do more than educate — they inspire. Find pieces that connect with your values and leave you feeling capable and energized to take the next step in life.
For Writers
Speak to What Readers Need Now: Viral stories emerge when writers address timely concerns, answer burning questions, and offer solutions readers crave. Identify these needs and show your unique perspective with clarity and purpose.
Balance Hope with Honesty: Optimism can inspire, but relatability comes from acknowledging setbacks and challenges. Share the journey, not just the destination — it builds trust and makes your voice memorable.
Anchor Your Story in Expertise: Readers value credibility. Ground your ideas in solid research, real-world examples, and honest analysis. When you write with authority and transparency, your words carry weight.
How to Write Content Guaranteed to Get Views and Reads
As a bonus, I explain how to increase the chance of writing viral articles based on experience.medium.com
One Last Tip: What Makes a Story Viral?
You may wonder, What makes stories resonate so powerfully with readers?
They are the ones written from the heart with a disciplined mind. They strike a chord on multiple levels — emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and practically.
At its core, these types of pieces like George’s tap into universal aspirations: the desire for financial security, the allure of proven success, and the practicality of actionable advice. But it does not stop there — it weaves these elements into a narrative that feels personal, relatable, and achievable.
As readers, writers, and editors, we can draw inspiration from this article’s blend of clarity, depth, and intention. Virality is not about sensationalism or fleeting attention. Instead, it is about crafting something that not only stands out but truly matters.
Viral posts on Substack are extra critical, so I wrote an inspiring story about it with two examples.
How Did Dr Julie Fratantoni Went from 2,000 to 12,000 Subscribers on Substack in a Week?
Key Takeaways
Create relatable and memorable work that connects deeply with readers and has the power to leave a lasting impression. Viral content is not just noticed; it becomes meaningful — something worth sharing, reflecting on, and returning to again and again.
Stories that go viral are more than just good ideas — they are bridges between knowledge and action. They give readers hope, offer clarity, and invite them into a journey they can relate to and learn from.
As a writer or a reader, this is the standard to seek: meaningful, impactful, memorable, educational, and enduring.
Here’s George’s viral article on the Magnetic Newsletter Pro our smallest publication on Medium.com.
Turn $20,000 in Savings into $1000 a Month in Passive Income
It’s easier than you might think to generate $1,000 a month from just $20,000.medium.com
And here is my 2021 viral article on a similar topic in my small personal publication EUPHORIA to give you an idea:
Five Astounding Investment Ideas from Warren Buffett to Beginners: Turn Your Savings into a…
Warren Buffet is centibillonaire. I wrote a new heartfelt story about the global impact of Centibillionaires who might reduce suffering on this problematic planet.
A World Divided: The Centibillionaires and the Forgotten Billions
Don’t You Reckon 10% of Their Wealth Could Save Millions from Hunger and Suffering Now?medium.com
If you need more inspiration, here is a short memoir from my collection.
Here Is What I Learned from Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy People
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
Here is my list, including some of my stories related to writing and reading.
Writing, Content Development & Marketing Strategy Guides
I am here to help my readers, so reach out when you need support. You may take a quick taste of some of my inspiring stories in this collection. If you wish, you may subscribe to my Health and Wellness newsletter to benefit from my decades of health, science, and technology experience.
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I also authored a recent book titled Substack Mastery to guide freelance writers to write insightful content and build their audiences.
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Health and Wellness by Dr Mehmet Yildiz
I appreciate you helping writers and would be patron saints of Virality orient themselves to what matters in regard to their written word getting noticed becuase they speak to the heart of the human condition in essence.
That's not an easy thing to do and so I appreciate you laying it out in language we can all understand and digest. You've helped me a great deal with orienting myself in these quarters and for that I am eternally grateful.
Thank you Dr Yildiz for this extremely important and well written article.