We Went Viral on Instagram. Here's What Happened Next
Well, this week was an interesting one. Pebbles and I had our moment of internet fame - a reel of us clocked up over 2.8 million views on Instagram. As I was watching the numbers rise, I felt excited for a moment and thought "this could be it! This could be the turning point for my small business. This could be the moment all the hard work pays off!"
The reality? One new follower. No spike in sales.
I'm laughing as I'm writing this because it's a classic example of what we think will happen and what actually does when you run a small business.
For about 24 hours, I was watching the view count rise. Meanwhile Pebbles was taking it all in her stride and completely unbothered!
The comments on the reel were really lovely and it certainly got everyone talking. Partly thanks to the cute white cat that did his best to show Pebbles how to be affectionate. But it seems I wasn't the only one in the world with a cat like mine! People could really relate to it.
But when I checked my shop analytics, hoping for an increase in sales or at least a boost in traffic, it wasn't such a rosy picture.
Watch the reel:
What did I learn?
Here's what I learnt from this - viral moments are great for entertainment, but they don't always turn into a genuine connection that actually builds a business. The people who watched that video weren't looking for homeware unfortunately, they were looking for cute relatable cats. And I don't blame them, I've been one of those people many times!
But the customers who actually buy from Jin Designs? They're here because they love the designs and appreciate UK-made quality. There's also something they connect with. They're not here because of a viral video, they're usually here because something resonates.
While Pebbles isn't the direct inspiration behind my cat designs (you can read more about where those actually come from here), she does play an important role in the studio. She's my constant companion and the reason I take regular breaks during the day! Some not always appreciated by her particularly when I'm bothering her for cuddles!
She also happens to be an excellent product tester. Particularly with my CatLoaf Cat Scratcher Bed which she loves to monitor daily studio activity from - usually through closed eyes.
What Actually Matters
This whole experience is a reminder of why I started Jin Designs in the first place. It's not about the viral moments or follower counts (thankfully!). It's about creating beautiful, quality made items that people love and use every day.
What matters most are the customers who've been here for years, who come back for new designs, who send photos of the products in their homes. This is what counts. As much as it's exciting having a reel go viral, it's not what it's cracked up to be!
The Cat Collections
If you're interested in the cat-themed designs here at Jin Designs, take a look at the Cat Collection here. From bestselling Cat Mugs, to limited edition Two Cats Together, these are the designs that are connecting with cat lovers here in the UK and across the world.
All designed here in Hove, made in the UK and approved by one very discerning studio cat.
Going viral was fun for a couple of days. But growing a business with quality products and lovely customers is where the real work is. And to be honest with you, it's far more rewarding than views on reels.
Pebbles got her moment of fame. She's still not impressed.
Jinny (and Pebbles) x
P.S. If you'd like to know the real story behind the cat designs, have a read of The Story Behind the Cat Designs. It's a much better story than this one!
