In this world of social media, one viral moment can change everything but behind those likes and shares, there’s often a real story, one built on resilience, authenticity, and smart action.
Take Chloe Shih, for example: a tech worker who turned an unexpected layoff into a viral post that gained her over 60,000 followers in just one day.
That moment didn’t just bring attention, it opened doors to brand deals, new job offers, and a wave of community support for her.
As a social media agency, we love spotting real stories like these where creators turn challenges into big wins. Chloe’s journey isn’t just about going viral. It’s a powerful example of how to truly connect with your audience, build a community, and make the most of opportunities even in tough times.
Let’s take a closer look and break down some actionable lessons your brand can learn from her story.
What Happened and Why
In early 2025, Chloe Shih, who worked as a Community Manager at Discord, was part of a major layoff that impacted 17% of the team.
Instead of staying silent, Chloe turned to LinkedIn to share her story. Her post wasn’t polished or promotional, it was honest, raw, and real. She opened up about her disappointment, but also her passion for Community Management and her excitement about what’s next.
“I’m one of the 17% laid off from Discord today,” she wrote. “It’s tough, but I’m grateful for the experience and ready for my next adventure. Community Management is my passion, and I’m excited to see what’s next!”
And then, her post went viral.
It struck a chord with thousands of people who had faced similar challenges, appreciated her resilience, and wanted to support her. Within just a few hours, the post spread like wildfire, not only on LinkedIn, but across Twitter and Instagram too.
Her LinkedIn following jumped from 100K to over 160K in 24 hours. Recruiters, brands, and creators started reaching out with job offers, partnership deals, and encouragement.
Chloe didn’t let the moment pass. She used the attention to highlight her strengths, connect with industry leaders, and unlock new opportunities, turning a layoff into a career-defining pivot.
Why Did This Go Viral?
As a social media agency, we looked closely at Chloe’s viral moment and here’s what made it take off:
Authentic Vulnerability
Chloe didn’t try to sugarcoat her experience. Her honesty about being laid off felt real and raw and that kind of authenticity stands out in a world full of polished posts. People connected with her because she was simply being herself.
Relatable Storytelling
Losing a job is something many people have faced, especially in the last few years. Chloe shared her story in a way that made others feel like, “This could be me.” That kind of relatable storytelling makes posts shareable and memorable.
Community Support
Chloe didn’t just share her story, she asked for support. And people responded. Why? Because when someone shows resilience and positivity in the face of hardship, others naturally want to help. Her post sparked a wave of encouragement and generosity.
Timing
Her layoff happened during a period of economic uncertainty, when many people were facing similar challenges. That made her story feel especially timely and even more relevant.
Turning Virality into Sustainable Growth
Going viral is exciting but the real win is turning that moment into long-term success. Chloe nailed this part. Here’s how she made her viral moment work for her:
Showcasing Her Skills
Instead of just enjoying the spotlight, Chloe used the attention to highlight what she’s great at community management, content creation, and social media strategy. She made it clear why she’s valuable.
Landing Job Offers
She didn’t wait around. Chloe reached out to recruiters and companies, shared her story, and landed interviews fast. She knew how to turn attention into opportunity.
Partnering with Brands
As her audience grew, so did her inbox. Chloe began collaborating with brands that matched her personality and expertise, leading to sponsored content and long-term partnerships.
Evolving Her Content
She didn’t stick to just one story. Chloe started sharing more about her life offering career tips, personal stories, and real-life advice. This helped her connect even deeper with her growing community.
Recently, she got 300K followers in just one month
Chloe Shih became an internet sensation once more when she launched a heartfelt series on Instagram called “30 Lessons from My 30s.”
The series focused on her real-life experiences, what she learned, the ups and downs she faced, and how she grew through it all. It wasn’t just content, it was emotionally crafted to connect with people on a deeper level.
Each post had beautiful edits, calming visuals, and relatable dialogue that made her audience feel seen and understood.
This style of content creation on Instagram kept people coming back, and the series massively boosted her engagement rate.
Why It Went Viral
- Emotional Value: Chloe shared honest stories that her audience could relate to.
- Eye-Catching Edits: Visuals helped grab attention in a crowded feed.
- Soothing Dialogue: Her simple, calm tone made her messages easy to follow and worth revisiting.
Chloe Shih’s story is more than just going viral.
It’s proof that authentic storytelling, community building, and using the right 2025 Instagram strategies can turn setbacks into serious success.
Her journey shows what’s possible when you connect honestly with your audience and take action at the right time.
Whether you’re a creator or a brand, you can do the same by showing up with intention, creating meaningful content, and building a community that lasts.
Need help doing that?
We help brands like yours turn engagement into real growth with content strategies that actually work in 2025.
Let’s build your Instagram success story, together.
