Many people come to me and ask, "Bro, how can I make my Instagram video go viral?" which is always followed by, "...so I can make money?"
People often think "going viral" is the destination, a winning lottery ticket. They believe that with just one video with millions of views, their life will change, advertising contracts will pour in, and their pockets will be full of cash. I used to think that way too. But after years of being deep in the trenches in both the Vietnamese and international markets, I’ve realized a somewhat harsh truth: Going viral** is just the beginning, not the end goal.**
A viral video without a strategy behind it is like a downpour in the desert—it comes and goes very quickly, leaving nothing behind but a few small puddles.
So how do you turn a million-view video into a sustainable money-making machine? In this article, we won’t talk about clickbait formulas or shallow trend-chasing. Instead, we'll dissect the real-world strategy to both go viral and generate a real stream of income from Instagram.
Phase 1: Define Your "Playground" - The Foundation of Every Viral Storm
Before you even think about creating content, you must answer the most important question: Where will you compete, and what will you sell? This positioning step will determine 90% of your success.
Based on my experience, there are two main "playgrounds" with completely different rules:
The Vietnamese Market: Users here are very young (mainly 18–30 years old) and tend to "window-shop" more than they buy. Hot niches usually revolve around fashion, cosmetics, travel, and food. If you're strong in physical products or local brands, this is a suitable market to start in.
The International Market (Global): This is a true "money-making machine." The purchasing power is incredibly strong, especially in the US. Besides the fashion-beauty niches, the international market has enormous potential in areas like pets, home decor, minimalism, and especially AI tools and online education products.
My advice: If you really want to go the distance and make money seriously, consider the international market. The CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions) is higher, the variety of digital products is greater, and the affiliate marketing ecosystem is extremely robust.
Phase 2: From Viral to Cash Flow - 10+ Real-World Ways to Make Money
Once you have a viral video and a certain number of followers, it's time to turn "traffic" into "cash." Here are the practical strategies I've learned, none of which you'll find in a textbook.
Group 1: Direct Sales
Sell Physical Products: This is the most familiar path. You can sell fashion items and accessories in Vietnam, or try your hand at pet products or fitness gear in the international market.
Sell Digital Products: This is the "treasure trove" of the international market. You can create and sell templates, online courses, or digital art. The huge advantage is that you create it once but can sell it to thousands of people without any additional production costs.
Dropshipping & POD (Print on Demand): These models require very little capital because you barely have to hold any inventory. With Dropshipping, you can sell internationally through Shopify or Etsy. With POD, you can design and sell t-shirts, mugs, art, etc., through platforms like Printify or Printful.
Group 2: Selling Services & Influence
Marketing Services: Once your channel has gained credibility, you can offer Instagram management services to small shops in Vietnam or international brands, with an income measured in dollars.
Become a KOL/Influencer: You don't need millions of followers. In the international market, building a Micro-Influencer channel with just 5,000 - 10,000 followers in a specific niche is enough to get regular bookings or affiliate deals.
Group 3: Joining Affiliate Programs
Affiliate Marketing: This is a smart way to earn money without owning a product. In Vietnam, you can be an affiliate for Shopee or Tiki. For the international market, the potential is limitless with Amazon Associates, ClickBank, or software like Notion, Canva, and AI tools.
KOC Ambassador - The Launchpad for Newcomers: This is a golden opportunity for those just starting out. These programs are designed to encourage creators who are "completely new" and often don't require a certain number of followers. Post a video, get views; get views, get money.
- An Unmissable Opportunity: One of the newest and most exciting campaigns is Tuborg Creators, which will officially kick off on June 13, 2025. This is your chance to "Unleash Your Vibe - Grab 20 Million/Month."
Group 4: Building Long-Term Assets
Selling Accounts/Communities: When you build a quality Instagram channel in a specific niche (pets, fashion, fitness), it becomes a valuable asset. Many international brands are willing to buy established channels for their advertising purposes.
Livestream Sales: You can livestream to sell clothes and cosmetics in Vietnam or get ahead of the curve by doing affiliate livestreams via TikTok Shop US and the international Instagram Live Shopping trend.
Building an Ecosystem: This is the mindset of those who are in it for the long haul. Don't just stop at selling one product. Think about building an entire ecosystem around your Instagram channel: drive traffic to a blog or landing page, and combine it with email marketing and Shopify to create an automated sales system. This is how you grow strong and sustainably.
Conclusion: Viral is the Door, an Ecosystem is the Home
Going viral gives you an opportunity, a massive amount of attention for a short period. But to turn that attention into money and a career, you need a clear strategy.
Start by choosing the right playground, creating valuable content, and most importantly, think like someone building an ecosystem, not just a single-product seller. Play to the end and have a strategy, and the money will find its way to you.
I hope these real-world insights give you a new perspective on your journey to conquer Instagram!