This gen z social app reached #1 in the App Store within minutes of launch.

From being the world's youngest venture capitalist to being called the Gen Z whisperer, Tiffany had done basically everything. The last thing left was to create a viral social app. On July 3rd, 2024, she did exactly that with TheNoPlace, which reached number 1 in the App Store within minutes of launch. Here’s how she did it: by using TikTok to build up a waitlist of more than 500K users.

Background 📓

Remember MySpace? Hopefully, you do, but if you don’t, just imagine a social media platform built for the consumer, allowing endless customization options for your profile. This is what Tiffany Zhoung is building at TheNoPlace but for Gen z. She noticed the trend of Y2K nostalgia coming back and knew she had to jump on this opportunity. All she needed was the right marketing strategy to go viral and gain mass awareness.

Here are some of her most successful videos and how she did it:

🎬 Bottling up your emotions: 16.4M Views, 667.3K Likes, 23.5K Saves

Hook: “I’m me again…it feels like its been years…”

Format: Candid shot + text on screen

Why this video worked:.

• Trending voice clips + creates curiosity

• Relatable emotion / situation

• Sitting on bathroom floor = familiar setting

🎬 Dominik Fike: 2.9M Views, 358K Likes, 64K Saves

Hook:Camera roll video of Dominic Fike convert

Format: Iphone clip + app demo

Why this video worked:.

• Tapped into a popular fanbase = “Fikers”

• Captivating feature demo

• Organic iPhone shot = feels familiar

🎬 Summer vibes: 7.2M Views, 89.2K Likes, 8.6K Saves

Hook: “Me listening to house music and scrolling through noplace is the vibe of the summer”

Format: Candid shot + text on screen

Why this video worked:

• Creating trend association

• Knows their audience and interests = house music

• Selling a summer lifestyle

Key takeaways from TheNoPlace 💡

• KYC, KYC, KYC.

  Do the research and figure out what music is trending, what events are happening, what YOUR people talking about these days.

• Relating to emotions is powerful.

  By relating to people, it tears down walls and automatically creates a feeling of trust.

• Be creative with your product demo.

  No one wants to watch a voice over of someone explain another app.

What you can replicate from this format 💰

• Hook twice within 6 seconds.

  People get board quick. Experiment with changing the video clips, sounds, and text on screen to keep your audience captivated.

• Find some trending sounds within your audience.

  Building a news app? → Trump voice clip. Building music app→Sabrina Carpenter music clip.

• Fake the trend till you are the trend.

  Imagine that your app is already trending. What are some fan-created content pieces you would want to see or be associated with?

Know a founder that could use some of these tips? Send them this newsletter.

That’s all I got for this one. If you have any other viral consumer products you want me to break down my DM’s are always open.

Cheers!

Nick 🤝