First Time Founders with Ed Elson – This Founder Makes Viral TV Shows For TikTok

Virality Secrets

The secret to creating viral TikTok shows lies in exceptional talent and captivating formats. Adam Faze emphasizes the importance of having a star who can engage audiences and a format that hooks viewers from the first frame. He shares an example of a show called "Bodega Run," which initially garnered millions of views but was ultimately canceled due to inconsistent engagement 1.

You have to have the best talent, you really just have to have a star. And they're not easy to find. But when you find them, that's what makes this thing perform the best.

--- Adam Faze

Faze's creative breakthroughs stem from his belief in TikTok's potential to generate original content. He recounts how a simple idea of hailing a cab and asking the driver to take them to their favorite place turned into a viral sensation, amassing over a million views on a new account 2.

   

Storytelling Shift

The evolution of storytelling in the digital age prioritizes immediacy and viewer engagement over traditional narratives. Scott Galloway and Adam discuss how the entertainment landscape has shifted, with the success of a show now hinging on an intriguing premise rather than a structured story 3.

What matters most is basically just the premise. It's like, can your first sentence be interesting? And that's all that matters.

--- Scott Galloway

Adam's company, Gymnasium, exemplifies this shift by treating TikTok like television, creating unscripted, comedic content that resonates with audiences. Their rapid production process allows them to test and refine ideas quickly, contrasting with Hollywood's lengthy development timelines 4.

   

Political Impact

TikTok's potential extends beyond entertainment, influencing political engagement and policy change. Adam shares an instance where a video created for a New York City councilmember went viral, leading to significant public turnout at a rent guidelines board hearing 5.

For a room that had a capacity of 250 people. Over 1000 people showed up.

--- Adam Faze

This success highlights the platform's power in mobilizing communities and affecting real-world outcomes. Adam sees a growing interest in using TikTok to engage with political issues and drive change, urging politicians to leverage this tool more effectively 5.