ByteDance is suing the U.S.

They’re claiming the potential TikTok ban is a free speech violation.

It’s no surprise this saga is far from over. All we can do is buckle up and be prepared for anything!

In today's newsletter:

• TikTok sues U.S. over potential ban (and why some legal experts think they have a good case)

• How Stanley cups 10X-ed their sales (and what we can learn from their clever strategy)

• Trend plug - Let’s f*cking go…I guess? (and how to use it)

• How to start getting leads on LinkedIn (try this method!)

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

These two have been going at it like Godzilla and Kong. And until this week, it seemed as though the U.S. had ByteDance in a corner and all hope was lost.

HOWEVER, it appears that TikTok is not going down without a fight.

As of this week, ByteDance is now suing the U.S. over the new law. They're calling it "unconstitutional" and a violation of users’ First Amendment rights.

“Congress has taken the unprecedented step of expressly singling out and banning TikTok: a vibrant online forum for protected speech and expression,” ByteDance said in its suit on Tuesday.

There's no doubt TikTok's an app that MILLIONS of Americans use to share their views and thoughts with one another.

Which is why ByteDance believes the ban would be a direct First Amendment violation.

Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, expects TikTok to succeed in their challenging of the ban.

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Pop Culture Queen

How Stanley Cups 10X-ed their Sales

It’s the craze that took teenage white girls worldwide by storm in 2023.

The craze that caused literal theft. Barren retail shelves. Per-person limits. Hiked prices. And even physical fights.

Honestly, Justin Bieber doesn’t even wield as much power as the iconic Stanley Cup.

When they blew up, the insulated steel tumblers were the latest in what seems to be a trend of merchandise mania. (Other examples include the PS5, Popeyes Chicken Sandwich and the Disney Dragon Popcorn Bucket). The company jumped from a humble $70 million in annual sales to a projected $750 million PLUS in 2023.

Think Beanie Babies in the 90s but like, on crack.

So, how did a 110-year-old cup cause such a stir in mainstream culture?

They completely switched their positioning.

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Pop Culture Queen

Trend Plug

Let’s f*cking go… I guess?

TikTokers have been channelling their inner Cody Ko with this viral sound coming in from one of his YouTube videos.

The sound originated from a YT video of Cody Ko reacting to a Mr. Beast video. The sound acts as a successor to a previous viral sound from Cody Ko, saying the phrase “Let’s go!” excitedly, followed by dancing to, you guessed it, classic ballroom dance music.

Now he's added an unenthusiastic, “I guess?” and it's going viral all over again. This time, people are using the sound to react to a not-so-perfect situation.

How to use the trend:

• React to a strange purchase one of your family members made (like this)

• Respond to the fact that some of your peers are at different life stages (like this)

• Show confusion at the fact your partner is ignoring you, but at least they’re not cheating (like this)

-Abdel, Social media coordinator

Tune in to the YAP Podcast

Got FOMO?

Listen to our YAP Podcast Tuesday - Saturday, where Stan & Jony break down the videos that are blowing up on social media. Not only will you learn why they work, but we’ll tell you how to capitalise on these trends before they disappear.

Watch the full podcast here and subscribe to the YouTube Channel so you don’t miss an episode.

Ask the Editor

Q - I'm pretty new to building my business on LinkedIn. How long will it take to start getting leads? -Jasmine

Hi Jasmine!

Without knowing how much you're posting and engaging on LinkedIn, it's a little hard to know! But what I can tell you is the more you engage, the faster it will happen.

So if you're just posting right now, my advice is to focus on building a community, too.

One way to do this is to start a spreadsheet of a bunch of people who are your ideal clients. As you come across people, add them. Then make it a point to regularly engage with their posts.

But don't just comment, "Great post." Add your own thoughts. Ask a question. Actually contribute to the conversation.

This is a great way to get your name out there and build a great network in the process. The more you do this, the more likely leads will start coming your way.

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

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