#VIRAL, The Newsletter: December 10, 2024

The latest content trends for politicos to know, to use, to try

Author

Girl and the Gov®
December 10, 2024

Happy Tuesday and welcome to #VIRAL, The Newsletter, which shares need-to-know content trends and concepts for political social media, digital, and comms professionals. Dive into this week’s trends and content ideas below [and share with a social media manager in your network].

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TIKTOK CONTENT TRENDS

Give these a whirl

“PEPE THE KING PRAWN” TREND: This carousel trend will have you in absolute stitches – some of the stories being told via the concept are beyond the pale in the best way. At its core, is this image of a shocked “Pepe the King Prawn.” Creators are then sharing stories that would elicit the reaction that Pepe is having in that image. The stories range from this one i.e. Olive Oil Girl who is going viral to this other insane one that has the Nuuly marketing team in shambles. If you have an embarrassing, yet funny story that would be appropriate to share, this is where you can grab the image for the meme, and this is the Madonna audio to use with it. For an alternative use of the trend, you could apply the reaction to political nominees, announcements, news items, and so on.

“GRANDMOTHER’S BEDTIME STORY” TREND: An adjacent and perhaps reactionary trend to the one above^^ – this carousel trend uses this classic painting to make light of a “you wouldn’t even believe it if I told you” moment. In this example, the creator uses the image to depict with a twist of satire what it would be like to tell a bedtime story featuring the tales of the olive oil girl and reenactment. Again, it’s the “how do we even explain how this is a thing” vibe that’s at the trend’s core. The same concept could apply to some of the insane happenings in the political world. Pick your piece of insanity, use a variation of this image, and this audio, and then create your carousel slide. 

“DON’T LET THE FLAME DIE OUT” AUDIO: It’s very easy for a political issue to lose momentum in a news cycle. This audio can be used to create a TikTok that highlights an issue of importance that’s fading out of the news cycle or “big” conversations happening currently that needs people to be all-in on. For the video’s style, we recommend this format with text added to the video. The text formula should be: “POV: when XYZ issue gets put on the back burner because of XYZ.”

“OH NAURRRR” AUDIO: These creators are TOO GOOD, and reacted to a janky Nordstrom sign with this TikTok. The resulting video created this audio, which can be used to highlight something that’s going bad – an “oh no” moment if you will. This could apply to truly any political situation, but would be best used with one that’s a slow car crash of a situation.

“CAN I GO TO TOILET PLEASE” AUDIO: First and foremost, just know that we know that this audio is odd, but odd can be useful per this example of how it’s being used. The concept is a creator sharing a situation where they specifically asked someone not to do something/take a particular action, and that person that they asked did it anyways. From a political POV, this could be about asking a family member not to vote against their own interests, not voting at all, a colleague voting for a bill you asked them not to vote for, and so on.

“PRETEND TO DO THINGS” AUDIO: This Southern Charm clip provides this audio, which can be used one of two ways as a duo trend. The first is to highlight that someone’s actions aren’t actually doing anything or being helpful – that’s the double negative route. OR, with the second route, the audio could be used to highlight a person [Craig] doing something meaningful where others just don’t see the vision yet versus their naysayers. Either route could capture behaviors in the political space.

TIKTOK AUDIOS

Use these for wordless BTS and b-roll vids

AUDIO → Genesis by Runa

we don’t name these audios, don’t come for us, LOL

CAPCUT TEMPlATES

Give ‘em a whirl

  • Use this template to share a win or an accomplishment that’s worthy of a victory dance.

  • Use this template to share something that just baseline sucks no matter what way you slice it.

  • Use this template to highlight something you’re surprised beyond measure to see happen.

Creative content concepts to try

“...HATES TO SEE US COMING” TREND: If there’s something that you or your crew tackles particularly well, this trend is for you. The trend has creators sharing something that “hates to see them coming because it will be knocked off its socks as a result.” For a silly example, think for a baking enthusiast, “I know William Sonoma hates to see us coming.” Take that concept, and…

  • Use b-roll video that will connect the dots between “you” and the “thing your enthusiasm is about to tackle”

  • Add text with this formula: “I know XYZ hates to see us coming” on the video directly in small font

This content concept can be replicated on TikTok. and on Shorts.

“A FORM OF THERAPY” AUDIO: If you’re an avid RHOBH watcher this season, you’ll appreciate this Dorit audio coming out of retirement. Use the audio to share what’s “like therapy” to you in this crazy timeline we’re all living in. It could be a duo video showing two politicos hanging out and that being the therapy. It could also be shopping in-district, or really anything that speaks to your personality.

“UPDATED EMOJIS” TREND: This trend offers an easy way to showcase your personality and your interests. Share your top emojis or the ones that you feel most represent who you are by creating a video like this – although perhaps with less flash. Tap into the trend as well by using this audio.

INSTA REELS AUDIOS 

Background audios that make Reels move

THREADS TO THREAD

Reply or Repost to these digital notes on Threads

The Thread → Reply OR repost with the best concert you’ve been to this year. Bonus points if it’s an artist from your area/state/district where you can draw a ‘hometown’ tie-in.

The Thread → Reply OR repost using the same format – sharing the sweet treat you’re going to reward yourself with after doing something “meh” on your political to-do list.

The Thread → Reply OR repost and share your political/policy wish with the “Domino’s pepperoni wizard.” 

The Thread → Reply OR repost one of your pets ridiculous nicknames – again bonus points if it has something to do with your area.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by using the word in a sentence with a political context to it.

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