If you’ve ever traveled to an Airbnb and been disappointed by what you found, you’re not alone. Kiwi traveler Bree Robertson, along with her partner, found themselves in an unfortunate situation that many can relate to.
However, what sets Bree’s story apart is the viral TikTok video she posted about it, which gained more than 199,400 views, captured public attention, and eventually led to media coverage. In this article, we’ll walk through Bree’s viral TikTok experience and provide practical tips on how you can create content that resonates and goes viral on social media platforms like TikTok and hopefully, experience exactly what happens when your post goes viral.
The Experience That Sparked the Viral Video
In July 2022, Bree and her partner were celebrating their one-month anniversary of traveling full-time and had decided to take a weekend getaway in Bali. After a lot of planning, they booked a villa on Airbnb—what they thought would be a tranquil, beautiful retreat with stunning views and an infinity pool. The listing seemed perfect: great location, a responsive host, and positive reviews—until they arrived.
To their shock, the property was abandoned. The pool was overrun with algae, there was a thick layer of dust in the restaurant, and the foliage had overtaken much of the grounds. There was no one at the villa, and the contact information for the host led nowhere. After a long journey to the location, Bree and her partner were left stranded, only to laugh at the surreal situation they found themselves in. “I honestly started laughing. I was just like, no way. This is just my luck,” Bree recalls.
Once they contacted Airbnb, the company quickly reimbursed their payment, but the situation was far from what Bree expected when she initially booked the villa.
Why Bree Decided to Post About It
Although Bree’s initial reaction was to laugh off the situation, she decided to turn this negative experience into content for her TikTok. At the time, she was still new to the platform and had little expectation that the video would gain much attention. “I thought, okay, this is something interesting that happened. It’s Bali-related. I’m just going to put it up. I wasn’t expecting it to do too well,” Bree shared. Little did she know, this simple TikTok post would go viral.
The video resonated with viewers because it was relatable. Many people have faced travel-related disappointments, whether it’s arriving at a hotel that’s not as advertised or experiencing similar situations with Airbnb bookings. The comments flooded in with people sharing their own horror stories of accommodation gone wrong. Bree’s experience was something viewers could laugh at, empathize with, and share.
How Bree’s TikTok Went Viral
Bree’s TikTok video not only went viral but also led to media coverage. The video had gained significant traction within days, and soon Bree was contacted by two major UK newspapers, followed by New Zealand’s Stuff and 1News, and even an Indonesian news outlet. This wave of interest was unexpected, but Bree was savvy enough to capitalize on the momentum by reaching out to news outlets and keeping the story alive.
Reflecting on her viral success, Bree noted two key takeaways:
- Authenticity Wins: Bree was tired, hungry, and not looking her best in the video. But it was this very rawness that made the content more relatable and engaging for viewers. In a world of perfectly curated social media posts, showing up as your true self can sometimes be the best strategy.
- Social Media Reach Is Far Greater Than You Expect: Bree had no idea the video would resonate with so many people, let alone attract the attention of news outlets. The key takeaway here is that once your content gains traction, it can snowball quickly, reaching a much larger audience than you initially expected.
Bree’s story shows how one piece of content—whether perfect or imperfect—can take on a life of its own once it gains traction. But how can you replicate this success on TikTok?
Tips for Posting Content That Could Go Viral on TikTok
While there’s no guaranteed formula for going viral, Bree’s experience offers some valuable insights. Here are a few tips on how you can increase your chances of creating content that gets discovered and shared.
1. Be Authentic and Relatable
TikTok users love authenticity. In Bree’s case, her unpolished, real-life reaction to the abandoned Airbnb made her video feel genuine and down-to-earth. Instead of trying to present a perfect, polished version of herself, Bree embraced the imperfection of the moment, and that resonated with her audience.
Tip: Don’t worry about looking perfect on TikTok. Embrace imperfections, be yourself, and focus on the story you’re telling.
2. Create Engaging, Shareable Content
Viral content often evokes strong emotions such as humor, surprise, or empathy. Bree’s video was funny because it was such an unexpected and unusual situation. In addition to humor, creating content that people can relate to increases the likelihood that it will be shared. Relatable experiences—whether they’re travel mishaps, everyday struggles, or funny observations—tend to perform well.
Tip: Think about the emotions you want to evoke. Can your content make people laugh, cringe, or relate? Content that sparks a strong emotional response has a better chance of going viral.
3. Use Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags are critical for discoverability on TikTok. By using relevant and trending hashtags, you increase the chances of your content appearing in more users’ feeds. For Bree’s video, hashtags like #Bali, #Airbnb, and #TravelFail likely helped her reach users interested in travel-related content.
Tip: Research trending hashtags in your niche and use them to increase the organic reach of your posts. Make sure the hashtags are relevant to your content and audience.
4. Post Consistently
Consistency is key when building an audience on TikTok. While one viral video can provide a significant boost, consistently posting engaging content will help you maintain momentum and keep your audience engaged. Bree’s TikTok success didn’t happen overnight. She had posted content before her viral video, which helped her audience become familiar with her account.
Tip: Build a content schedule that works for you and post regularly. This not only helps you stay relevant but also increases your chances of getting noticed.
5. Engage With Your Audience
TikTok is a social platform, which means engagement is crucial. Respond to comments, like and share other people’s videos, and participate in trending challenges. Engaging with your audience helps build a sense of community around your content and increases the chances of your videos being shared.
Tip: Take time to respond to comments on your videos and engage with other creators in your niche. The more you engage, the more likely your content will reach a wider audience.
6. Leverage Trends and Challenges
TikTok thrives on trends and challenges. Participating in popular challenges or creating content around trending sounds or themes can increase the likelihood that your video will be featured in more feeds. For Bree, her video didn’t rely on a specific trend, but many viral videos on TikTok do.
Tip: Stay on top of TikTok trends and challenges. Incorporating popular elements into your content increases the chances of your video being discovered by a larger audience.
7. Tell a Story
The most successful TikTok videos often tell a story in a short, engaging format. Bree’s video was successful because it told a relatable story: her disappointing Airbnb experience. Viewers didn’t just see an abandoned property; they got to follow Bree’s journey through the mishap, from the discovery to her humorous reaction.
Tip: Think of your TikTok video as a mini story. Use the limited time available to build a narrative that hooks viewers from the start and keeps them watching until the end.
Conclusion
While going viral on TikTok may seem like a matter of luck, Bree Robertson’s experience shows that there’s more to it than chance. Authenticity, relatability, strategic use of hashtags, and engaging with your audience are all key elements that can help your content stand out in a crowded feed. Bree’s advice to others facing a similar situation is to always check reviews and ensure that your host responds, but for content creators, the real takeaway is to embrace imperfection and let your true self shine through.
If you want to build your TikTok presence, remember to be consistent, engage with your audience, and capitalize on trends. And who knows—your next video might just go viral!
