I Made Myself Go Viral

So, a few weeks ago I had an idea.

After 3 years writing my Substack Thoughts From A Digital Mom every other week and then repurposing that content on social channels… I wanted to try something new.

First some context. As some of you are well aware, it’s Graduation Season. And, for my audience, this is a huge moment–especially for parents with a kid graduating from elementary school. My audience is people who are trying to delay technology for their kids. It is very common for parents to buy iPhones for their Elementary School Graduates. And parents who swear they won’t, end up caving at the last minute.

So, I wrote an op ed. I pitched it to my local newspaper. Then I adapted it for my Substack, website and my social accounts. Finally I fed it to my newsletter database and asked them to spread the word.

I am so craving hard numbers so I could quantify an ROI but the tail on this is long and not everyone shared back the actions that they took. So I’m trying to take that in stride. Here’s what I know so far

• To date its my top performing Substack so far this year (views)

• It the top performing IG post (views) and second most popular Linkedin post (views) of the last month

• My local paper confirmed it was the 2nd most popular story online the month it was published.

• A partner with a large newsletter confirmed they included it in their monthly email

• At least 4 followers confirmed that they pitched it to their local papers– I am still waiting

• At least 1 follower shared it with her school board– I know because I got a spicy comment back from one of the members!

• A partner group pdf’d and handed it out at a local chapter meeting

Curious what I said? Here’s the local news piece and here’s the Substack.

Love,

Sarah + Erin