How To Harness Viral Moments For Your Brand

Chelsey Moore
Apr 12
3 min read

I'm not going to lie - it's good business to leverage viral moments and trending memes on social media. The algorithm loves that shit - and I want your business to be SEEN!!

BUT...There is a right and a wrong way to do it.

Right now, people are turning themselves into AI dolls - some look like action figures, others like Bratz, and some like Barbies. It's fun and lighthearted but each post also garners a ton of engagement.

First, we need to understand WHY people are so drawn to creating these AI dolls of themselves.

People crave reflection. They want to see themselves, their identities, and their dreams mirrored back to them. It’s playful, but it’s also deeply psychological.

That same concept is what makes a brand successful! When your customers see themselves (who they are or who they want to become) reflected in your brand, they feel seen, understood, and connected. That’s the real power here.

It's imperative that you leverage these viral moments in a way that makes sense for your brand and your audience. It's not about hopping on a bandwagon - it's about taking that bandwagon, injecting it with your brand's aura, and making it YOURS.

But, how do you do that??

Decode Why the Trend Is Working

What about the trend is resonating with people? Is it the visual format? An inside joke?

Understanding the reason a trend is...well...trending, allows you to reshape it without losing the momentum.

Think of it this way: It's your job to switch up the vibe of the trend while keeping the SOUL intact.

Twist It To Match Your Brand

Don’t mimic what everyone else is doing. Instead, imagine what the meme or trend would look like in your world. Not only do you want to give your version your own signature look, but you want to make sure that it makes sense for your brand in the first place.

Let me give you a few examples...

Not a fan of AI? Illustrate your own version or hire an artist to do it for you.

Tip: Offer a template that your audience can customize themselves (I have one for you - click here to get it)

Not a fan of Barbie-pink packaging? Make your box look like a gothic arch instead.

Not a fan of Barbie in general? Make your doll look like a Bratz instead. See where I'm going with this??

You can absolutely take part in something without sacrificing your personal style and your ethics.

For me, that looked like skipping the dolls and going straight to aesthetic-based expansion packs I wish existed back when I played with Barbies (I wish Monster High Dolls were a thing back then because I know I would have been obsessed).

I thought of my creations like add-ons for your digital self that turn you into a vampire, a faerie, a ghost, a siren, or a witch. I even chose houses for each archetype, turning this trend into a full-blown experience.

I saw the virality of it and gave it a unique twist - combining my love of aesthetics, identity, and worldbuilding to creating something that felt on-brand. That felt like me AND my audience.

Always Have A Goal In Mind

When it comes to creating any content for your business, you should have a goal in mind. Are you hoping to make sales? Educate your audience? Gain comments? Shares? Simply create something that will inspire? Entertain?

For me, I hopped on this trend for 2 reasons.

One, I wanted to gain favor of the algorithm that was pushing these AI dolls into my feed.

Two, I wanted to create something that resonated with my audience (hopefully getting some shares in the process).

Will my post go viral? Probably not - that's not actually the point of this particular trend where the trend itself is viral. But taking part in it WILL have some benefits.

Always Bring It Back to Your Brand

Trends are temporary but your brand isn't!! Use every viral moment as an opportunity to reinforce what you stand for. Whether that’s self-expression, a political cause, quality, healing, or community...make sure it’s felt in everything you do.

In other words, don't sell out for a minute of "fame".

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to chase every trend, and you definitely don’t have to do it the way everyone else does. But when a trend aligns with you - don’t be afraid to twist it into something that’s uniquely you. That’s where the magic is.

So go ahead, build your haunted dollhouse, your expansion packs, your ball-jointed personas. Make it beautiful and strange. Because the algorithm might bring the clicks but your soul brings the connection. And that’s what makes a brand truly unforgettable.