Instead of guessing what short-form content will resonate, identify existing long-form videos or articles with the highest engagement. Transcribe these proven winners and use AI to extract impactful clips, carousels, and tweets. This method leverages past success to increase the probability of future performance.

Instead of brainstorming subjectively and then seeking data to support a favorite idea, start with audience insights. Analyzing what content people already engage with defines the creative sandbox, leading to more effective campaigns from the outset and avoiding resource-draining failures.

Instead of waiting 90 days to repost the exact same content, identify the core idea or "hook" of a successful post. This hook can be repurposed into different formats (e.g., meme, quote, video) on a much shorter, two-week cycle to maximize its impact.

Instead of using social media insights to create a new, expensive TV commercial, simply repurpose the raw, organically successful video and run it as the ad, complete with phone-native formatting.

Keep a swipe file of viral content to identify underlying themes or formats (e.g., "harsh truths"). Instead of copying, adapt the successful theme to your specific audience (e.g., "harsh truths of being a CISO"). This leverages proven psychology for your niche.

Don't wait 90 days to reuse a winning idea. A successful "hook" or concept can be remixed into different formats (e.g., text post, meme, video, quote graphic) on a much shorter, two-week cycle to maximize its reach and engagement while it's still relevant.

Tushy develops viral brand campaigns by filtering ideas through a critical lens: 'Would people outside this room actually care and talk about this?' They embrace a performance mindset, taking many 'shots on goal' to find ideas with true cultural resonance, even tracking metrics like 'post shares' in ad accounts.

In times of uncertainty, consumers seek the stability and reassurance of cultural touchstones. Brands can tap into this by creatively remixing nostalgic references, which provides comfort and cuts through a chaotic media landscape, especially on platforms that reward emotional reactions.

Creating viral content requires a formula: identify a dominant fandom driving conversation, understand the target platform's user base, and find a brand-relevant angle within hours. It's a strategic process of connecting cultural moments to your brand in near real-time, not a random act.