Virality is seductive.
A spike in views.
A surge of followers.
A burst of attention.
A moment of validation.
I’ve seen it up close. And I’ve intentionally walked away from chasing it.
Not because virality is bad. But because virality optimises for attention, not for value.
And in the long run, attention fades.
Value compounds.
This is why I choose long-term value over short-term virality and how that decision shapes everything I build.
1. Virality Rewards Extremes. Value Rewards Clarity
Viral content usually thrives on:
- outrage
- fear
- overconfidence
- oversimplification
- dramatic predictions
- “X will replace Y” narratives
It travels fast because it triggers emotion.
But value-driven content does something different:
- it explains
- it contextualises
- it adds nuance
- it respects complexity
- it helps people think better
Virality wants reaction. Value wants understanding.
I’m building for the second.
2. Virality Is a Spike. Value Is a Curve
Viral moments look impressive on charts.
They spike. Then they disappear.
Value creates a different graph:
- slow growth
- steady trust
- repeat readers
- long-tail relevance
- compounding credibility
One viral post can bring noise. Ten thoughtful pieces can build a decade of influence.
I prefer curves over spikes.
3. Virality Optimises for Algorithms. Value Optimizes for Humans
Algorithms change constantly.
What works today:
- won’t work tomorrow
- won’t work across platforms
- won’t work without constant adjustment
But human needs don’t change as fast:
- clarity
- trust
- insight
- usefulness
- reliability
When I write, I don’t ask:
“What will the algorithm push?”
I ask:“What will still help someone six months from now?”
That’s how you build relevance that survives platform shifts.
4. Chasing Virality Forces You to Say Things You Can’t Stand Behind
This is a quiet cost most people don’t talk about.
To go viral consistently, you’re pushed to:
- exaggerate claims
- oversimplify realities
- speak in absolutes
- predict extreme outcomes
- ignore nuance
Over time, you start distancing yourself from your own words.
I don’t want to explain or apologize for my thinking later.
I want my past content to still represent me accurately.
That constraint alone keeps me focused on value.
5. Value Builds Trust. Trust Builds Opportunity.
Virality builds followers.
Trust builds doors.
Trust leads to:
- meaningful conversations
- serious collaborations
- long-term readers
- enterprise credibility
- thoughtful audiences
- real-world impact
People don’t reach out because something went viral.
They reach out because something resonated deeply and made sense.
That’s the audience I care about.
6. Virality Encourages Speed. Value Encourages Depth
When chasing virality, speed becomes everything:
- post fast
- react instantly
- jump on trends
- comment before thinking
Value-driven work slows you down:
- think clearly
- structure ideas
- test assumptions
- refine language
- respect complexity
Speed creates volume. Depth creates gravity.
Gravity keeps people coming back.
7. I Optimise for Relevance, Not Reach
Reach is how many people see something once.
Relevance is how many people remember it.
I don’t measure success by:
- impressions
- likes
- temporary spikes
I measure it by:
- repeat readers
- thoughtful replies
- saved posts
- long discussions
- people referencing older work
If someone remembers an idea weeks later, that’s value.
8. Long-Term Value Aligns With How Businesses Are Actually Built
No serious business is built on virality alone.
Businesses survive on:
- trust
- consistency
- reliability
- clarity
- outcomes
The same principles apply to personal brands and thought leadership.
I write the way I build systems:
- slow foundations
- clear structure
- compounding logic
- long-term resilience
Virality is optional. Durability is not.
9. The People I Want to Reach Are Not Looking for Noise
My audience is:
- professionals
- builders
- founders
- developers
- thinkers
- decision-makers
They’re not scrolling for entertainment. They’re searching for clarity. Chasing virality would mean speaking past them.
So I choose to speak to them instead.
10. Long-Term Value Gives You Control Over Your Narrative
Viral creators are often trapped by their last hit.
They must repeat it.
Escalate it.
Outdo it.
Value-driven creators control their narrative.
They can:
- evolve slowly
- change direction thoughtfully
- deepen their thinking
- expand their scope
- stay consistent without being repetitive
That freedom matters to me.
Here’s My Take
Virality is a tactic. Value is a strategy.
Tactics win moments. Strategies win decades.
I’m not building for:
- today’s algorithm
- tomorrow’s trend
- this week’s attention
I’m building for:
- long-term trust
- sustained relevance
- deep understanding
- compounding impact
If something I write goes viral organically, that’s fine.
But I’ll never design my thinking to chase virality.
Because attention fades, and value, real value, stays.
Next article:
“From Books to Brands: What I Learned About Digital Leverage.”
Top comments (3)
This really resonated. The distinction between spikes and curves, attention and trust, is spot on. Long-term value feels quieter, but it’s what actually compounds—especially for builders and founders. Thanks for putting words to a mindset many feel but don’t articulate well.
Thank you for sharing this, I really appreciate how clearly you captured the idea. The contrast between spikes and curves, and attention versus trust, is subtle but important. Long-term value often grows quietly, but that’s exactly why it compounds for builders and founders who stay focused on substance over noise.
If something I write goes viral organically, that’s fine.
But I’ll never design my thinking to chase virality.
Because attention fades, and value, real value, stays.