Would you belly flop into a pool of milk for $500 instant cash?
Are You Kidding TV has made videos with over 50 million views asking strangers to do bizarre tasks like this.
Which made me wonder, why are we so drawn to absurdity?
And how could we use it to generate virality for brands and businesses without compromising their integrity?
So let’s get into it.
Absurdity hooks our attention because it disrupts the way we typically make sense of the world.
When we’re confronted with something illogical or bizarre, we can’t help but stick around to resolve the gap between our expectations and what contradicts them.
Especially when it’s so damn funny like tossing a bucket of apple juice on your friend’s head for a new Macbook.
No wonder absurdity is one of the top performance drivers my team at Hook Point researches and implements in viral content.
The good news is, you don’t necessarily have to shoot reality TV or share nutsy memes to incorporate absurdity into your content.
Our client, Dean Sheremet is a Michelin-trained chef who has used this strategy to comment on the most nonsensical cooking advice on the internet.
Such as washing shredded cheese, a reel that startled 10.2 million viewers.
Watching Dean roast bizarre culinary hacks isn’t just fun but it also positions him as an expert in his field.
Codie Sanchez is another great example of someone who uses absurdity in their content without it feeling clickbaity.
A financial adviser, Codie shares the most absurd success stories in business, like a teenager who made $400,000 from naming Chinese babies.
It’s just the right dash of outlandish ideas to keep her audience engaged while perfectly blending into her brand.
So what absurd, illogical, or bizarre experiments can you cook up in your niche— or comment on?
If you need strategic guidance and thorough research, my team is here for you.
Want help with your social media strategy? Connect 1-on-1 with Hook Point's team here to see if we are the right fit to work together.
