How to Bring Attention to a Saying

Catchy sayings can capture the zeitgeist and become cultural touchstones. From Gen-Z slang to more refined expressions, the right phrase can resonate across diverse audiences. This article explores how to bring attention to a saying, examining various types of expressions and breaking down the formula for making them trend.

Types of Sayings with Examples

Here are some illustrations of what we're talking about.

1. Gen-Z Slang

Gen-Z slang is characterized by its brevity, often ironic tone, and frequent use of internet culture references.

Examples:

• "Slay": Expressing admiration or encouragement
• "No cap": Meaning "no lie" or "for real"
• "It's giving...": Used to describe the vibe or essence of something

2. Millennial Phrases

Millennial sayings often blend internet humor with a touch of existential angst.

Examples:

• "Adulting is hard": Expressing the challenges of grown-up responsibilities
• "I can't even": Indicating overwhelming feelings or situations
• "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out): Anxiety about missing exciting events

3. Professional Jargon

These are phrases that gain traction in business or professional settings.

Examples:

• "Think outside the box": Encouraging creative problem-solving
• "Circle back": To return to a topic later
• "Low-hanging fruit": Easily achievable goals or tasks

4. Political Slogans

Catchy phrases used in political discourse often become part of everyday language.

Examples:

• "Make America Great Again": Donald Trump's campaign slogan
• "Yes We Can": Barack Obama's campaign motto
• "Build Back Better": Joe Biden's economic recovery plan slogan

5. Pop Culture References

These sayings originate from movies, TV shows, or other media and enter common usage.

Examples:

• "Winter is coming": From Game of Thrones, used to warn of impending difficulties
• "Bye, Felicia": From the movie Friday, used as a dismissive farewell
• "This is the way": From The Mandalorian, expressing adherence to a principle or method

6. Sophisticated or Intellectual Phrases

More refined sayings that often convey complex ideas succinctly.

Examples:

• "Cognitive dissonance": Holding contradictory beliefs or ideas
• "Zeitgeist": The defining spirit or mood of a particular period
• "Memento mori": A reminder of the inevitability of death, often used to emphasize living fully

The Formula for Making a Saying Trend

To bring attention to a saying and potentially make it trend, consider the following formula:

1. Catchiness and Memorability

• Keep it short and punchy
• Use alliteration, rhyme, or clever wordplay
• Ensure it's easy to pronounce and repeat

2. Relevance and Timeliness

• Connect to current events or popular culture
• Address common experiences or shared emotions
• Tap into ongoing conversations or debates

3. Versatility and Applicability

• Create a phrase that can be used in multiple contexts
• Ensure it can be easily adapted or remixed
• Make it relatable to a wide audience

4. Emotional Resonance

• Evoke strong emotions (humor, empathy, outrage, etc.)
• Address universal human experiences or feelings
• Create a sense of insider knowledge or community

5. Visual Potential

• Consider how the phrase might be represented visually (memes, GIFs)
• Think about hashtag potential for social media
• Envision how it could be used in various media formats

6. Influencer Adoption

• Engage with influencers or thought leaders in your target community
• Encourage early adoption by trendsetters
• Create content that showcases influential people using the phrase

7. Platform Optimization

• Tailor the phrase to work well on specific social media platforms
• Consider how it might be used in TikTok videos, Twitter posts, or Instagram captions
• Optimize for searchability and hashtag use

8. Organic Growth Potential

• Create opportunities for user-generated content around the phrase
• Encourage variations and adaptations of the saying
• Design challenges or trends that incorporate the phrase

Tracking the Trend

To monitor the success and spread of your saying:

1. Use Social Media Listening Tools:
   • Track mentions and hashtags across platforms
   • Monitor sentiment and context of usage
2. Analyze Search Trends:
   • Use Google Trends to track search interest over time
   • Look for related queries and rising terms
3. Monitor Media Coverage:
   • Track mentions in news articles, blogs, and other media
   • Look for the phrase appearing in different contexts or industries
4. Engage with User-Generated Content:
   • Follow and interact with content created around your phrase
   • Encourage and highlight creative uses of the saying
5. Track Influencer Adoption:
   • Monitor use of the phrase by influencers and celebrities
   • Note any variations or remixes they create
6. Measure Brand Association:
   • If applicable, track how often the phrase is associated with your brand
   • Monitor any impact on brand metrics or sentiment

Case Study: "OK Boomer"

Let's examine how "OK Boomer" became a viral phenomenon:

1. Origin: The phrase emerged on TikTok as a dismissive response to perceived outdated or condescending attitudes of the Baby Boomer generation.
2. Catchiness: Short, punchy, and easy to use in various contexts.
3. Emotional Resonance: Tapped into generational tensions and frustrations.
4. Visual Potential: Quickly became a popular meme format and TikTok sound.
5. Platform Optimization: Worked well as a hashtag and was easily adaptable to different social media formats.
6. Organic Growth: Users created countless variations and remixes of the phrase.
7. Media Coverage: Gained widespread attention in mainstream media, further amplifying its reach.
8. Cultural Impact: Eventually entered common usage, even being used in political discourse and marketing campaigns.

Sayings & More

Bringing attention to a saying requires a combination of creativity, timing, and strategic promotion. By understanding the formula behind viral phrases and tailoring your approach to your target audience, you can increase the chances of your saying gaining traction.

Remember that language trends are often unpredictable, and what resonates can change quickly. Stay flexible, be prepared to iterate, and always keep an ear to the ground for emerging linguistic trends. Whether you're aiming for Gen-Z slang supremacy or looking to coin the next sophisticated catchphrase, the key is to create something that feels authentic, timely, and emotionally resonant with your audience.