If you could go viral tomorrow, what would you do first? How would you prepare for the moment so you’re 100% ready for it?
What started out as a joke between some high school friends turned out to be the biggest viral moment for 21-year-old Jordan Haber. If you aren’t aware already, Jordan is a law student who became eligible for the NBA draft this year without any professional basketball experience. He found a legal loophole for entering the draft and has now been featured on Good Morning America, KTLA, and other media outlets.
Intrigued? Well, there’s more to the story of this creator turned NBA hopeful!
In this episode of TubeTalk, we chat with him about his incredible story that’s catching media attention worldwide. Jordan has been creating content across platforms for over three years now, gaining millions of views on TikTok. And although his channel has 215 subscribers, YouTube is still his main priority.
If you’ve been creating content on social media for a while, you’ve probably developed a sense of what works for you. And while some ideas are quickly brought to life, Jordan’s viral moment was three years in the making. He kept it in his black book of YouTube ideas, knowing that one day, he would act on that exciting concept.
“I have 51 subscribers, and I am talking to vidIQ right now. That doesn’t happen! But I realized if you have a great idea, something that somebody can see themselves doing, you can have a story. You can go viral with a few strokes of luck!” says Jordan.
After reading the collective bargaining agreement of the NBA, Jordan found himself matching all the criteria to be drafted for 2023. After watching someone go viral because they had become a free agent, Jordan prepared the paperwork and sent it out to make his own moment. In fact, let him explain this journey himself!
What followed was major networks vying to get a piece of the story, eventually resulting in an invitation from Barclays Center! This kind of attention brings memorable yet stressful moments at the same time. So if you’re planning to go viral, expect that there will be some ups and downs in the journey.
Many creators think going viral is an end-goal, when really, it's the beginning of a long, exciting journey. Here's how to ride the wave of virality, whether life circumstances push you up or down.
Going viral brings opportunities from all sides, and that’s exactly what happened to Jordan. But if you’re a creator with little to no exposure, this can be a tricky road to navigate because there are always people working in bad faith.
“I’m very lucky to have been in the shadows the whole time to understand all these different things. And I will say to creators — get a lawyer. Know what you’re reading because that’s very important,” Jordan says.
Most people in Jordan’s position don't have the knowledge or resources to navigate contracts. But his next piece of advice offers a glimmer of hope.
Creators understand each other and are willing to help their peers, sometimes more than you can imagine! So, building a strong network not only opens doors for you, but also provides much-needed guidance.
“Getting invited to the Barclays Center was literally because I saw somebody that I followed months ago, and just sent a cold DM,” Jordan informs.
Simply put, just send that DM you’ve been putting off. Otherwise, you’ll never know what’s on the other side of that message or who’s secretly admiring your work!
Read more: The Top 5 YouTube Collaboration Ideas to Try Right Now
While many brands and people want their piece of the viral cake, some just won’t be a good fit for you. And it’s important to know how to turn them down irrespective of the offer. At the end of the day, it’s all about serving your community and understanding what brings value to them.
“It hurts, definitely hurts, when you don’t continue those conversations, but you kinda have to stick with your gut,” Jordan says. "You need to bet on yourself.”
It’s hard to know who is right in these situations. But you need to have self-belief and consult with people who’ve known you from the beginning to make good, informed decisions, according to Jordan.
For Jordan, this viral moment is just that—a moment. His goal is bigger than temporary fame, and he hopes to create a real impact on people.
“I know a lot of people who wanna play basketball but can’t or wanna play baseball but can’t. If I can find a sponsor to get a kid a basketball or a baseball glove or a baseball bat, or find a kid that needs help in an underprivileged community by buying out a basketball court or baseball field to play, that would mean a lot,” he says.
It’s important to realize that virality may go away overnight, but having a bigger goal inspires you to keep going and keep making content. We wish Jordan the best with his cause and hope to see it come to fruition!
So, there you have it: a viral story to inspire your growth. But, here’s the question: Are you ready for your viral moment? A good first step would be to understand the YouTube algorithm to make it work in your favor!
In addition to being an avid movie and gaming enthusiast, Uttaran Samaddar is an experienced writer who has lent his creativity and unique perspective to various publications. He loves hearing and telling stories.
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