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 professionals. For 1v1 tailored help building out your social media, book an Office Hours session or an Audit here.

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Give these a whirl (and post them on Reels & Shorts too)

→ “Show me your view” Trend: This carousel trend has creators sharing a view that they “can’t forget.” It’s a simple, easy trend that from a political lens, enables an elected or candidate to show a spot in their district that hits the note of “an amazing view.” The audio for the trend is “pick your own,” but the selection made by this creator is certainly one to consider.

→ "Timothee Chalamet Ballet x Opera” Response Trend: Timothee Chalamet has been catching the wind of the internet after a conversation he had with Matthew McConaughey went viral. In the convo, Timothee shared that he didn’t want to work in a section of the arts – like ballet or opera – that, in his words, “no one cares about.” The convo has resulted in creators clapping back with videos and carousels of them attending the ballet or opera – and even candidate Jack Schlossberg dropped a grid post on IG featuring himself doing ballet. To participate in the trend, take clips from your own rendezvous at the ballet or opera, and put them to this audio, clipped at the section of Timothee’s out of touch comments. Following, use text on screen or the caption to share what you love about going to the ballet and/or opera.

→ “Transition” Trend: Babe, wakeup, a new transition trend just dropped. This one is giving freeze frame, with a group of people standing frozen in a particular position like this or like this – think a slightly funky arrangement of the participating humans that even looks a little uncomfy to be frozen in. Fast forward, the transition drops, and it’s the reveal – new outfits, a coffee and pup cup in hand, etc. The trend could be used amongst electeds or candidates working together, as well as a number of likeminded thought leaders. The thesis is relatability.

→ “No Revenge” Trend: This trend has creators dropping videos like this, where they’re showing what their vibe is today, with a nod to their teenage selves. On the videos, they’re referencing the contrast, as well as any former “opps,” with the following text added to screen: “no revenge because 15-year-old me would pin me to her Pinterest board.” For a political variation on a theme, the principal creator could film themselves at their cool political job or use b-roll of themselves as said job, with that text added to the screen [obvi, adjust the age shared if necessary]. 

→ “So hungry I could…” Trend: This trend has creators pairing the phrase “I’m so hungry I could eat a…” with something that they want to do or a place they want to be, instead of something that they’d edit or a quantity of something that they would eat. As seen with this example, this creator shares that they’re “so hungry I could eat a girls trip to palm beach with unlimited pina coladas & uv 10” via text over b-roll of Palm Beach. The concept can of course apply to politics, namely something the principal creator wants or wants to participate in. That said, this trend is certainly more suited to a political creator or a thought leader in the space, rather than an elected or candidate.

→ “That tiny detail” Trend: It seems like most everyone is spending time with their friends beating dead horses – not actually, like going over convos of yesteryear time and time again. And every once in a while in that experience, either you or the whole chat learns of or figures out a detail that wasn’t previously known about a situation – and it connects the whole web. Now think about that happening in politics – a detail being revealed that makes the whole larger pie make sense. With that thought in mind, the principal creator could produce a face-to-camera video like this, looking like they’ve unveiled the latest world wonder. Then, on the screen, a screenshot of an article or printed detail/secret revealed should be added, and then referenced casually by the creator. The text on the screen should be: “when the horse is dead but you find a new detail that connects all of the dots.”

“What am I going to do with a submarine” Trend: This trend uses a tidbit from this audio to show how one person’s traits/resume/qualifications is resulting in them getting job offers/opportunities/asks in general, that are related but absolutely not the vibe. Like seen here, if anything the suggestions ‘morally’ are in opposition in some way with what their speciality is. The trend is a classic lip-sync meets text on screen scenario.

Trending TikTok audios for BTS and b-roll vids

AUDIO → 212 Instrumental *get your dancing shoes out, and use this audio with these moves, to share any news that somehow relates the number “212” or being in the “212”

AUDIO → Big ears original sound *use this to highlight someone who has big ears that doesn’t listen – and yes, this is namely used for dogs, but if your account heavily leans into troll-vibes, this is one to keep in mind

AUDIO → Son Original *use for videos that show a build up or momentum build

Creative content concepts to try

→ “First woman in my bloodline to…” Trend: A trend that made its way from TikTok to Reels is this one, which has women sharing what they’re first to do in their “blood line.” For some, it's getting to go college, for some it’s being financially independent – there’s the whole range of course. The trend puts a spotlight on firsts, specifically for women and is inherently political. The trend comes together with b-roll of the principal creator as seen here, and the firsts shared via text on screen. To make it more political, each “first” could be attached to a law or court decision that enabled it to happen [ex: women being allowed to get credit cards].  

→ “Omg I forgot to tell you” Trend: There have been a few variations of this trend bouncing around the inter-webs for the last year, but the latest is this rendition – with creators showing how they react when their friends say “Omg I forgot to tell you.” As seen with this example, the reaction video is exact and hyperbolic, but certainly illustrates the feeling most of us get when someone says that. The trend can be easily applied to politicos of every variety, with the caption used to share a bit of news i.e. “what they forgot to tell you.” As for set-up, it doesn’t necessarily require jumping ten feet in the air onto a couch, but think something close, and speed up the video clip(s).

→ “Your normal day is someone else’s dream” Trend: This trend has creators showing tidbits from their days on the job – particularly the tough ones – and framing those moments as not just part of it, but days like that overall as someone else’s dream. The thesis is gratitude meets behind the scenes. The trend relies on b-roll clips from behind the scenes (hence why everyone should always be filming BTS b-roll), so if you decide to tap into the trend, start compiling. As for the the inspirational text on screen, a few options:

→ “Rage meets beauty” Trend: This trend has creators showing that two things can exist at the same time, and right now that’s at the intersection of trying to see the beauty in the every day and dealing with the political horrors of the current world. The trend has been coming to life with Reels like this, which pairs a scenic b-roll video with the phrase, “somewhere between noticing the beauty in every day and managing my political rage.” For electeds, candidates, or thought leaders that consider tapping into this trend-style, use the caption to share an action you’re taking to change the political environment. For creators tapping into the trend, use the caption to share how you’re managing, what actions you’re taking, and what you hope to see change. 

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Reply or Repost to these digital notes on Threads

The Thread → Reply OR repost by making a joke referencing Four Seasons Landscaping.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing where you think Upstate NY starts.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by responding with details behind your username [for orgs] i.e. explain what your org is and does.

The Thread → Reply OR repost with something you said “yes” to like running for office.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing who you’re focused on being a hater to right now [ex: Trump].

The Thread → Reply OR repost with three things you need immediately [perhaps mix in something local and a piece of legislation] amongst the three.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by sharing something political worth spiraling about that people should be aware of.

The Thread → Reply OR repost by responding with another thing that there should be an end to.

Trending topics ATM on Bluesky

Epstein and Trump

Survivor 50

Wrestling

AEW Dynamite

Speedball Mike Bailey

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