Lachlan Cartwright on Founder

How did Vice that was valued at $5.7 billion just a few years ago wind up going bankrupt and folding its newsroom? Look no further than its brash (and still highly paid) founder, Shane Smith, whom many blame for its demise. My latest for @THR — t.co

226 likes5 repliesPosted Feb 28, 2024

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Viral score

Based on absolute engagement — the platform doesn’t expose follower counts here, so large accounts score higher.

From likes, comments.

Why it worked

Leads with a specific number, which is concrete enough to be worth a second of attention.
Uses concrete numbers instead of vague claims, which makes it credible and quotable.
Follows a clear Hook → Context → Landing shape, so the reader always knows where they are.
Ends on a short line that is easy to quote and repeat.
The opening line stands alone, so it reads completely before the post is expanded.
Written from experience rather than as advice, which is harder to argue with.

The mechanics

Hook: Leads with a number
Structure: Hook → Context → Landing
Style: Conversational paragraphs at a steady pace.
Tone: personal, punchy
Mechanisms: Specificity
Written for: Founders and early-stage teams

Analysis by ViralLoop — not written by the original author.

Topics

Founder Revenue

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