Cracking the Code: Your Essential Guide to Crafting a Viral Future
Scrolling through my TikTok feed, I stumbled upon Reesa Teesa's "Who the Fuck did I Marry" series of videos. Like many others, I became entranced by this series and, in turn, wanted to understand how and why it skyrocketed to internet fame. Why was this 52-part saga that chronicles a tumultuous relationship with woman and her pathological liar ex-husband garner such widespread virtually practically overnight. What made it so captivating? I found the answer lay in the series' adept use of storytelling principles, particularly Freytag's five acts of dramatic structure.
Each episode of Reesa's series followed a narrative arc that kept viewers hooked from start to finish. In the exposition, she introduced key characters and established the foundation of her troubled relationship. As the rising action unfolded, tensions escalated as she uncovered her husband's deceitful behaviour, leading to a climactic confrontation fuelled by revelations of his lies. The falling action saw Reesa grappling with the fallout of her discovery, ultimately culminating in a resolution where she emerged stronger and liberated from her toxic marriage.
Inspired by Reesa's success, I sought to apply similar storytelling techniques to my own content, catering to struggling university students who may not have the means to afford high-end hair care products. As a university student myself, this is something I can empathize with. My video aims to resonate with my target audience by evoking positive emotions and making viewers feel more beautiful. Leveraging Berger’s primary predictor of joy and excitement, recognizing that, I know that invoking positive emotions will increase the likelihood of my video going viral. Moreover, I emphasize the importance of self-care and grooming routines, particularly for students who are juggling academic responsibilities and tight budgets.
By offering a practical and affordable alternative to luxury hair care items, my heatless curl method enables students to enhance their appearance and boost their confidence without breaking the bank I am using Aristotle's drivers of persuasion - ethos, pathos, and logos. They play a crucial role in my content strategy. Ethos, or credibility, is established through my genuine desire to help others and my relatable experiences as a student. Pathos, or emotional appeal, is evoked by emphasizing the transformative power of self-care and the sense of community fostered through shared experiences. Lastly, logos, or logical appeal, is demonstrated by offering practical and affordable solutions to common challenges faced by students.
By capitalizing on the unattainable standards often depicted in viral lifestyle videos and providing a realistic alternative, my content addresses the growing demand for accessible hair care content, particularly among students and beginners. By offering routine or beginner-level techniques, I aim to provide a practical approach that resonates with those who may be unsure how to try new hair care techniques.
In addition to the video, I created an original meme using Berger's STEPP model to further engage my audience. By tapping into common struggles faced by university students, such as sleep deprivation, and offering a humorous perspective, I aimed to evoke emotions of camaraderie and solidarity while providing practical value. As seen below:
I leverage social currency by incorporating a widely recognized meme template, ensuring that my content resonates with a broad audience and garners immediate attention. Secondly, I tap into triggers that university students can relate to, such as the struggle to get enough sleep amidst late-night study sessions and busy schedules. By referencing these common experiences, I create a sense of familiarity and connection with my audience.
Emotion plays a crucial role in my post, as I aim to evoke feelings of humour and connection among my audience. By making light of the shared struggle of university students to get a decent night's sleep, I transform a negative experience into a relatable and light-hearted joke that elicits laughter and empathy.
To achieve maximum visibility and engagement, I have decided to share my meme on social media platforms frequented by university students, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Additionally, I target specific communities tailored to university students, such as QUT Love Letters or other university social platforms. Encouraging engagement and sharing among peers amplifies the reach and visibility of my post, allowing it to resonate with a wider audience.
Finally, my post offers practical value by acknowledging the shared experience of sleep deprivation among university students. By providing a humorous perspective on this common challenge, I alleviate stress and foster a sense of solidarity within the community. Overall, my social media post effectively utilizes social currency, triggers, emotion, and practical value to engage my audience and foster meaningful interaction within the university community.
Though I may not achieve the instant viral success of Reesa Teesa's videos, I'm confident that employing these strategies will keep my content engaging and relatable over time. And personally, I know I'd be hooked by these posts – but maybe that's just me!
