BTB143: The Guide to Going Viral | Brendan Kane

Before the Bestseller


What does it really take to go viral? In this episode, we’re joined by Brendan Kane, bestselling author of One Million FollowersThe Hook Point, and now The Guide to Going Viral. Brendan is the behind-the-scenes strategist for some of the world’s biggest brands and celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, IKEA, Vice, and Sketchers. He once gained over one million followers in 100 countries in just 30 days and has helped clients turn zero visibility into global attention.

In this conversation, Brendan breaks down the myth that virality is just luck. We talk through his data-driven framework for reverse-engineering attention online, how storytelling drives retention, and why most content fails before it even begins. He shares the importance of using repeatable formats, explains the “generalist principle” that helps creators scale without losing their niche, and offers real-world examples from luxury real estate agents to leather crafters who have turned everyday topics into millions of views. We also explore the role of AI in content creation and why even the most advanced tools still depend on your ability to tell a compelling story.

Tune in for a refreshingly realistic take on what actually gets people to watch, share, and remember your content, and how to finally turn viral moments into something that lasts.

You can listen to Brendan’s first episode on his book One Million Followers here: https://bit.ly/3TRMVKk 

Learn more about the book here: https://a.co/d/etY0dLk

You can also go to hookpoint.com/alex to get a free PDF of the book to check it out. 

Make sure to check out Brendan’s website here: www.hookpoint.com

Alex Strathdee
BeforeTheBestseller | AdvancedAmazonAds

Recent PoDCASTS

connect with authors more famous than you: 3 secrets, 2 links, 1 quote

Reader, Today’s 321 is partly inspired by a fantastic interview with Tim Grahl on The Write Anyway Podcast hosted by Sue Campbell. 3 Secrets: 1. How to network with authors more famous than you Successful people want to see other hard-working people succeed. If you can show someone how hungry you are by actually implementing a piece of advice they have, they are more likely to be invested in your journey. After all, it’s their advice on the line. Step 1: Ask whoever you want to be friends…

LISTEN NOW

every reader must create ≥1 new reader, 3 secrets, 2 links, 1 quote

Reader, andddddd we’re back! How can I serve you this year? What do you want more of? Let me know 🙂 before we get to the first 321 of 2026…. horseback riding at Petra over Christmas with my childhood best friend Colleen okay, okay, now back to book marketing… 3 Secrets: 1. The Lean Startup’s Viral Engine of Growth but make it books… In the Lean Startup by Eric Ries, the Viral Engine of Growth is when your product grows because users bring in more users automatically. You’ve achieved…

LISTEN NOW

biggest post-launch mistake & review form template, 3 secrets, 2 links, 1 quote

Reader, happy to be back home with the family in Virginia for the holidays 🙂 *right before baby Elouise had a blowout all over my mom’s new couch* Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season 🙂 3 Secrets: 1. Releasing a new book in 2026? Getting everyone in your launch team to leave their review on launch day is like herding cats. Anyone who has released a book before knows that launch day has enough going on. So instead of trying to do it all on launch day… Create a Google Form or…

LISTEN NOW

Subscribe for a copy of Before the Bestseller and level up your book marketing today!

Fill out the form below, and you’ll receive your copy shortly.