Welcome to #VIRAL, The Newsletter from Girl and the Gov®, sharing need-to-know content trends and concepts for Dem social media, digital, and comms pros. For tailored help building out your socials, book an Office Hours session or an Audit here.
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Editor’s Note:
After this week, #VIRAL will be moving to an every other Thursday drop. If you need more trends and how they can work for the accounts that you work on in between [and anytime], you can book an Office Hours session here.
TikTok Content Trends & Concepts
Give these a whirl (and post them on Reels & Shorts too)
→ “Call my sister” Trend: This audio has evolved into a trend where someone is reflecting on a scenario aloud and realizes they have to call that one person that can actually relate to what they’re analyzing. TBH, this trend would be super applicable to Gov. Sherrill and Gov. Spanberger, both friends, and both in similarly unique positions that few people can relate to. In terms of style of the trend in application, it’s a classic lip-sync style like this, with text added to the screen that shares what the creator is 1. Calling their “sister” about and 2. Who they’re calling if it’s not actually their sister.
→ “Sunshine, I think I need that back” Trend: This trend has creators using this snippet from an old Rihanna song over carousels that show first a pic of them now, in winter [mis], and the second being of them in the summer [happy]. The audio snippet goes “Been waiting on that sunshine boy, I think I need that back,” for reference. Anyways, while of course, the trend can be done as-is in the right circumstances, the political interpretation could be pic #1 is a pic of you/the creator during this admin, and pic #2 is you/the creator during a Dem Admin – the then/now would need to be articulated with text added to the screen. The caption can then be used to share how viewers can help make that happen, starting with the Midterms.
TikTok Audio Trends
Trending TikTok audios for BTS and b-roll vids
AUDIO → Morning Bossa Nova *use this with upbeat vlogs
AUDIO → a cat goes to work *use this as for videos where you’re trying to make its central star – perhaps an opponent – look weak and dopey
AUDIO → Bloodline Banter *for creators at the airport wearing comfy clothes, use this for an OOTD that pokes fun at Sean Duffy
AUDIO → Original sound Elijaaahhhhe *use this for a lip-sync video where using text or a screenshot image, the principal creator is pointing to men being the problem in a specific instance
AUDIO → Stay Here For Life *use this for vlogs that share people and places you love
Instagram Content Trends & Concepts
Creative content concepts to try
→ “POV: you were on shift when…” Trend: Given that many of the readers of this newsletter actively do press or host pressers, this trend may seem silly for the lack of a better word. The trend is work humor at its core, and centers around a colleague faking to answer questions from the “press” [their other colleagues] on the work drama that they witnessed or heard about. The faux press i.e. the colleagues add to the vibes by using objects as mics that are quintessential to where they work – ex: a spatula at a bakery. Alas, in a political use-case, there are numerous, but the top two are:
Using the concept to tease a press hit or presser that’s scheduled for later/the next day by tapping this text formula: “POV: me at the press conference later talking about [XYZ ISSUE/DRAMA].”
Using the concept to share something that the press isn’t biting on covering, but that you think needs eyes by tapping this text formula: “POV: what I would tell the press if they asked about [XYZ ISSUE/DRAMA].”
→ “The greed they talk about in the bible” Trend: This pet-centric trend that pairs video of a pet surrounded by an ungodly amount of toys and the phrase “the greed they talk about in the bible,” can be paid political. It can also find its way onto TikTok because the trend is making moves over there as well. Alas, the political variations of this trend include:
B-roll of a greedy political figure with this audio and this phrase “the greed they talk about in the bible” added via text
A carousel crafted in Canva of a greedy political figure and their sketchy stock trades with this audio and this phrase “the greed they talk about in the bible” added via text
Video of a greedy political figure answering an interview question or giving speech that gives #greed with this audio on low and this phrase “the greed they talk about in the bible” added via text
IG Reels Audio Trends
Background audios that make Reels move
AUDIO → The Nutcracker, Waltz of the Flowers *use this for videos that either emphasize a creator’s type b personality or to showcase an emerging disaster [“the world is in chaos”] while a creator is trying to do a normal, day-to-day activity
AUDIO → Gaslighter *use this for b-roll videos that aim to highlight a political gaslighter, whether that’s with text on screen, quotes from an article/interview, etc.
AUDIO → I’m fucking tired of this fucking shit *use this for videos that highlight a series of bonkers things people have said to you, like so, OR over b-roll videos/carousels sharing a series of heinous political happenings
AUDIO → Life Feels So Good *use this for vlogs that have a happy leaning
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Threads to Thread
Reply or Repost to these digital notes on Threads
The Thread → Reply OR repost with the means of trying to get Americans back the money owed to them from the illegal tariffs.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by elaborating on how people have been kicked off SNAP and what the impact has and will be.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by connecting this back to RFK Jr and MAHA.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing your predictions on what you expect to be shared.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by explaining the Trump Admin’s decision to withhold Medicaid funds to Minnesota.
The Thread → Reply OR repost by answering the prompt [wrong answers only].
Skies Are Blue
Trending topics ATM on Bluesky
Medicaid Funding
SAFE Membership
Influential Songs
State of the Union
Horror Representation
BEFORE YOU GO…
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