#VIRAL, The Newsletter
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#VIRAL, The Newsletter: October 15, 2024

#VIRAL, The Newsletter: October 15, 2024

The latest content trends for politicos

Girl and the Gov®
October 15, 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

“M.I.A” TREND: This is an easy carousel trend that involves two images and this audio. The creator should think of three things that they do [politically] that spell out M.I.A – like this. Something that starts with an M, then something that starts with an I, and then something that starts with an A. The overall post should share a little bit about the person/org featured, and look like this.

“TALKING SHIT” AUDIO: This audio, which goes: “there are how many languages in this world and you decided to talk shit?” is great for highlighting you talking shit and/or what you’re talking shit about. We took the trend out for a spin carousel style with this post. It can also be used with video.

“WHO SAID THAT?” AUDIO: An audio that again works both for carousel style posts and videos, this one can be used to highlight what somebody in politics actually said – good or bad. Use it to highlight quotes, use it to share a reaction to something someone said, use it anyway that puts eyeballs on something said that viewers and voters should know about.

“BLESS YOUR HEART” AUDIO: Megan Moroney has a number of songs trending right now, including this one. The purpose of its use as a trend is to directly or indirectly point out someone’s mean behavior. We used it to point out Elon Musk’s BS, but it can be used really across the board for people being gnarly levels of mean in a polite Southern way, with a bless your heart attached to it.

“MISS UNIVERSE” TREND: And this is another one of the viral Megan Moroney songs/audios. Overall and at-large it’s being used to showcase someone giving a thumbs up to an ex’s new partner, while actually thinking otherwise, like this. That use has some people relating and others not loving the vibe. However, politically speaking, you can bypass the controversy and use it to showcase a situation where you have to act on board with something or someone but aren’t actually. It’s still petty but it showcases real feels towards something, right?

“ARE YOU GONNA VOTE FOR ME” REMIX: CasaDi Music is potentially the hero of this election season, at least on TikTok with all of their remixes. The latest to grace our feeds is this one featuring VP Harris asking people to vote for her. It’s giving fun way to remind people to vote for Kamala Harris. Take it for a spin here.

“IN THE CLUB, WE’RE ALL FAM” AUDIO: This audio has been living in our heads rent free for the last five days, and now it will for you too. The trend uses this audio to share an experience where you [the creator] automatically bestow bestie-ship/friendship/acknowledgement to someone in your vicinity because of something you have in common [ex: you both have Kamala Harris signs in your yard]. The second layer to the trend is that someone doesn’t understand that dynamic, thus making the trend particularly fun to do with two people, like this. Pick your political link to others and make your own TikTok with it.

CAPCUT TEMPLATES

Give ‘em a whirl

Use this template to highlight a political scenario or person that’s hilarious despite themselves.

Use this template to highlight cool parts of a district or state.

Use this template to highlight the weird relationship between Trump and Elon.

Use this template to highlight someone in politics that’s insecure AF/

STITCH THESE TIKTOKS

Jump into the convo

Stitch this video and share who or what campaign considers you to be ‘enemy #1.’

Stitch this video after “let’s not do anymore questions” and share all of the questions you have about Trump and his campaign.

Stitch this video and discuss the cult aspect of Trump supporters.

INSTAGRAM TRENDS

Creative content concepts to try

“WE’RE ADULTS” AUDIO: This nostalgic and reflective audio would be particularly perfect for youth activists that are now adults, to use. The thesis of the content would be showing their growth in their activism and/or what’s changed since they first became activists to now via their efforts. Stylistically, this Reel provides a solid point of inspiration to reference.

“SHE TALKED, SHE LISTENED” TREND: As seen here, this trend showcases the tale of two people having an in-depth conversation – one where there is a distinct yapper and a distinct listener. This concept, as showcased by a full coffee [yapper’s coffee] and an empty coffee [listener’s coffee], can apply to the following conversation frames:

Candidate + voter
Elected official + voter
Organizer + voter
Elected official + lobbyist
Elected official + activist

Use this audio for the background of the Reel and don’t forget to add distinguishing text of yapper versus listener onto the video. This trend can also be used on TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

“A NORMAL PERSON PROBABLY WOULD’VE LET THAT GO” AUDIO: First think of a topic that someone in politics won't let go of [ex: Trump thinking he won in 2020]. Then use this audio to illustrate that not letting whatever it is go, is the opposite of normal. This style video with text that refers to your point, is an easy way to make the trend/concept come to life.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT?” AUDIO: As everyone asks undecided voters “what do you want?” in order to get their vote, this audio comes in handy. It literally poses that question. Frame its use as a skit with two people, or keep it simple with one creator showcasing frustration in their own way.