Let me age myself for a second to set the stage right here: Fb launched my senior 12 months of faculty.
Again in my company days, I labored on the first-ever digital adverts and social media efforts for Coca-Cola. I vividly keep in mind making colourful sticky word sketches of 160×600, 300×250, and 728×90 banner adverts for my workplace bulletin board to maintain monitor of those new, bizarre sizes. It was like studying a overseas language whereas touchdown on a brand new moon…
Quick ahead 20 years, as a seasoned social media professional I’ve seen all of it. As such, I don’t get overly shocked nor excitable today.
Platforms have come and gone (RIP, Tumblr), traits have risen and fallen, and advertising and marketing fads have given us whiplash. It wasn’t that way back once we have been all about lengthy YouTube vlogs, and now we’re enjoying a sport of “the shorter, the higher” to please algorithms.
However just lately, I discovered myself feeling freshly energized and stuffed with ardour with these artistic heat and fuzzy vibes from what I’m seeing on TikTok.
One thing loopy cool is going on on the “clock app” and it’s proving that model entrepreneurs should concentrate and be ready.
No, it’s not the newest dance craze or trying-too-hard company adverts.
It’s that manufacturers are going mega-viral with out even making an attempt.
Now, I do know that’s not “new”, however tremendous followers have been selecting up merchandise and working with them like by no means earlier than. Merchandise fly off-shelves, movies are reposted, gross sales (and reseller costs) skyrocket, and let me inform you: In case your product goes on a viral joyride of its personal, you higher be able to trip that wave.
Let’s check out 4 manufacturers that exploded on TikTok and, extra importantly, how their advertising and marketing groups took word and took motion.
4 Manufacturers That Leveraged TikTok Virality into Actual Outcomes
I all the time preach to shoppers that making an attempt to go viral is a horrible thought. That’s nonetheless true. Your focus must be on making content material that’s strategically sound, creatively superior, and that can resonate and interact your key audiences.
In these case research, the merchandise went viral because of their clients and followers, not a brand-led marketing campaign or product launch. However how these manufacturers responded is what you wish to take note of. You might be fortunate sufficient to want these examples quickly, so bookmark this, share it together with your workforce, and hold it helpful.
1. Dr. Scholl’s: Cozy Sneakers, Sizzling Development
Image this: I’m texting my sorority sisters a photograph of my new sneakers, raving about how fashionable AND comfy they’re, whereas joking about how previous I’m for carrying Dr. Scholl’s. What I didn’t know was that I had stumbled onto a viral TikTok sensation.
My sisters schooled me arduous—these sneakers? Yeah, they’re TikTok-famous. I had no thought what I had on my arms (properly, ft) with this random discover from Nordstrom Rack.
It began when a creator confirmed off how comfortable and cute these Dr. Scholl’s sneakers have been whereas strolling throughout Europe on trip this summer time.
The video launched this dinosaur of an orthopedic model into the nice and cozy and welcoming arms (ft?) of a complete new, youthful technology with 3.1 million views and counting.
So, what did Dr. Scholl’s do as soon as the video took off? They left no crumbs, as Gen Z would say.
Their web site now proudly sports activities an “As Seen on TikTok” banner on the product web page and search outcomes, akin to these old-school “As Seen on TV” merchandise you’d discover at Costco.
They even featured the viral creator’s video and imagery on the product web page. Plus, they’ve shortly rolled out extra kinds and new colours to capitalize on the excitement.
A few of my extra cynical guide buddies suppose this was a calculated and covert sponsorship, however I disagree. There are not any disclaimers or #advert hashtags, so I wish to suppose that it is vitally actual and actually nice.
What do you suppose? We’re pondering we most likely must get their workforce on our award-winning Social Execs podcast ASAP.
2. Stanley: The Cup That Received’t Give up
Sure, sure – I’m going to speak about Stanley. Sorry, not sorry.
For those who’ve obtained a tween daughter, you’ve most likely heard manner an excessive amount of about Stanley cups. And until you’ve been residing below a rock, you’ve possible seen the viral video of a girl’s automotive that burnt to a crisp in flames—but her Stanley cup not solely survived however thrived. It even nonetheless had ice in it!
@danimarielettering Thirsty after you catch on fireplace? @Stanley 1913 is like no downside i gotchu #fyp #carfire #accident #stanleycup ♬ unique sound – Danielle
That video obtained a whopping 96.9 MILLION views, not together with re-shares and media outlet protection. 96.9M. (When’s the final time your business obtained that top of a attain?!)
You most likely already additionally know that Stanley’s CEO shortly responded with a heartfelt video message, displaying take care of her security, thanking her for being a fan and gifting her with a brand new automotive. That’s along with their social media supervisor’s fast, earlier responses through feedback.
With in the present day’s common worth of a brand new automotive being about $48,000, I’d say the ROI on their “Stanley has your again” submit and follow-up video impressions have been possible prettttttyyyy gosh-darned good.
@stanleybrand Thanks for permitting us to affix you on this trip, @Danielle ♬ unique sound – Stanley 1913
Stanley’s model entrepreneurs took daring, fast motion. They took care of their tremendous fan, seized the second, and confirmed off their product as high-quality, sturdy, and far more than simply one other fashionable cup. (And so they inarguably went on to turn out to be one of many high requested Christmas presents of the 12 months.)
Kudos, Stanley! Please ship me your new Pumpkin Spice Quencher for this shoutout. Talking of pumpkin spice…
3. “Pumpkin Spice Café”: The #BookTok Increase
As a e-book lover and host of a month-to-month e-book membership, I pay shut consideration to #BookGram and #BookTok suggestions. Generally, the books don’t reside as much as the hype. However once I noticed the Pumpkin Spice Cafe in my feed for the 800th time, I knew I needed to test it out. (Shoutout to all of the Primary Fall Bs!)
@thebookshelfbaker It’s formally cosy season, which implies it’s lastly time to begin the pumpkin spice café!🍁📚💫#BookTok #bookrecs #thepumpkinspicecafe #lauriegilmore #cosyseason #pumpkinspice #autumn #fallbooks #spookyseason #falltbr ♬ Amas Veritas – Alan Silvestri
Seems, this e-book, written over a 12 months in the past, went viral because of TikTokers sharing super-aesthetically pleasing, fall-themed movies that includes its beautiful cowl this 12 months. It was deemed the right autumnal learn, promising Hallmark vibes with some “spice” blended in for good measure.
After which—growth! It hit a number of best-seller lists. The quilt was instantly in all places you scrolled. TikTok Store jumped on the development, producing an unique version with gold-shimmer leaves, autumn leaf sprayed edges, and dreamily illustrated inside cowl pages. It offered out in minutes.
Enter the writer and UK writer. Lori Gilmore (sounds suspiciously like a Gilmore Ladies character, proper?) has been open concerning the shock of instantly turning into a best-seller nearly a 12 months later.
All that to say, she and Harper Collins are doing all the precise issues:
- Resharing fan artwork and movies continually throughout socials
- Partaking with and thanking readers for all of the love and success
- Selling the TikTok Particular Version and the way it’s TikTok Guide Awards Winner standing
- Publishing not one however TWO new books within the newly established ‘Dream Harbor’ collection to maintain the curiosity (and gross sales) momentum, together with one not-yet-written tome that’s already a pre-order success
By the best way: I snagged a type of restricted editions earlier than realizing it was the sizzling merchandise—and let me inform you, it’s gourd-geous! And the story inside? Pleasant. My good friend stated she may, “Odor fall within the air whereas studying it.”
4. Lenox: A Lenox Spice Village Revival to Keep in mind
Now, right here’s a masterclass in proudly owning a viral second past socialmedia. Keep in mind Lenox? The high quality china firm from the ‘80s? Perhaps you do, however when’s the final time you obtain one thing from them?
Precisely.
Effectively, over 4 a long time in the past, that they had a product referred to as the Spice Village—a set of cute ceramic homes that retailer spices.
Quick forward to 2024, and Gen Z rediscovered the set and went CRAZY for them. Fueled by a love for cottagecore, #thrifting, and quirky nostalgia, Spice Village movies of trying to find and discovering them in thrift shops, and adorning and baking with them began to majorly development.
Insert these units beginning to promote for ridiculous costs on eBay, Mercari, Fb Market, and even Etsy. Like, for 1000’s and 1000’s of {dollars}.
@daniklaric really probably the most particular presents 💌 ily @Loi ♬ A tu lado – Edgar 🇲🇽
Does Lenox see a penny of that revenue. Nope!
So what did Lenox do? They. Introduced. Again. Spice. Village 2.0. Similar design and identical ’80s worth ($285 vs. ~$2000 resale worth).
They didn’t cease there although. Lenox:
- Maximized press protection of the announcement with the likes of Martha Stewart Residing and different media moguls
- Arrange a Pre-Order Alert sign-up, constructing a large e-mail and SMS listing of recent subscribes alongside the best way
- Deployed a savvy set of recent subscriber emails as a part of a Welcome journey, highlighting their different merchandise and types as folks waited for Spice Village 2.0
- Gave alert subscribers early entry to pre-order earlier than going public
- Are nonetheless accepting pre-orders in the present day for what’s rumored to be a September 2025 achievement date (that means, they’re most likely planning to solely make as many as are ordered.)
Will a one-year pre-order interval show to be definitely worth the wait? We’ll see. However their efforts are certain to repay, even when only for the sheer quantity of recent e-mail and SMS prospects they’ve gained. Plus, I completely love when resellers are thwarted at their very own sport.
Lenox didn’t simply take the reins of this wild narrative again from creators and resellers. They inserted themselves again into the hearts (and wallets) of a complete new technology.
(And sure, I pre-ordered all the 24-piece set, bringing my tally for buying the favored merchandise talked about inside this weblog article an ideal 4 out of 4. Don’t inform my husband…please. Significantly.)
Wrapping It Up: A Lesson in Viral Listening and Tangible Motion
In all 4 cases, these success tales weren’t on a advertising and marketing plan or annual technique or roadmap. Nonetheless, these manufacturers confirmed they’re watching, listening, and—most significantly—nimble sufficient to reply in massive methods.
They discovered methods to promote much more of those in style merchandise, with out coming off as opportunistic or overly company. And all 4 capitalized on relevancy with new, youthful audiences whereas bolstering their journeys, lists, and pipelines.
To summarize, they exhibited:
- Lively social listening
- On-brand neighborhood engagement
- Nimble responses as soon as movies took off, possible because of aligned cross-tactical groups and swift management decision-making
- For those who need assistance with being ready with a Social Media Mission Assertion, Guardrails, Group Administration greatest practices and the like, ensure you attain out to our rockstar C&C Social Media Consultants!
- A latest Social Execs podcast visitor stated this greatest: “We do our greatest to be as proactive as doable in order that we could be reactive when crucial.” – Emily Stulz, Director of Social Media at The College of Arizona
- A willingness to take part in unowned social dialog and traits
- Pivots in how they marketed and even what to provide subsequent
Briefly: they rocked the Tok. (Cringe, sorry. However it’s true.)
Future advertising and marketing textbooks will little doubt embody these as trendy case research. Who is aware of, perhaps your model can be subsequent. So, hold your ears to the bottom—or reasonably, your eyes on TikTok.
Able to trip the following viral wave? Share this text together with your advertising and marketing workforce and prepare to take motion.
Need much more? Take a look at our Go to California TikTok case examine and tell us how Persuade & Convert can help your model.