Got roasted in a viral comment thread for my 3 minute recipe video, ended up changing my whole format
So this was maybe 8 months ago. I make these quick cooking clips, like 60 seconds of me just throwing stuff in a pan. One night I posted a 3 minute version of my grandma's gumbo and it somehow got picked up by a big food account. Next thing I know people are in the comments saying I move too fast, the camera angle gives them motion sickness, and one person said 'this feels like watching a squirrel on espresso'. That one actually hurt, haha.
Two sides to this: some people told me to ignore the haters and keep my chaotic style because that's what made it go viral in the first place. But honestly, the feedback was valid. I started slowing down, showing measurements on screen, and using a tripod instead of my shaky phone holder. My views dipped for like 3 weeks, then they went up way higher than before. My grandma even called me to say she could finally follow along.
So, do you think you should change based on random internet criticism, or trust your gut when something takes off? Anyone else had a viral moment that came with a pile of advice they had to sort through? I'm curious if most people regret changing or regret not changing.
That squirrel on espresso comment is exactly why you should've told everyone to pound sand and kept the 60 second chaos that got you attention in the first place. Chasing the approval of commenters who aren't even your real audience is how creators end up with boring, samey content that nobody shares, and a 3 week dip is a small price compared to selling out your own style. Your grandma is sweet but she's not the one who made you go viral, the fast messy stuff was.