Social Phenomenons: Yanny Versus Laurel

We know you’ve probably heard of the online “argument” that spun through the web like a tornado, asking a very simple question: Do you hear Yanny or Laurel in this audio clip?

With over 26 million views on that specific tweet and over 143 thousand people talking about the post, it clearly has a level of engagement that many only dream of achieving.

And while the Yanny or Laurel phenomenon doesn’t relate to a specific brand, it does show the power of social media as a communication tool and how a simple idea can be viral in today’s interconnected world.

What can brands learn from this?

1. Never underestimate the power of an idea – even the simplest or silliest concepts can go viral.
2. Always be prepared – even if you aren’t expecting your message to be received to this degree you should always be prepared for the possibility.
3. Never think you can capture lightning in a bottle – even though the first two in this list shed light on the possibility of the ultimate viral prize, don’t be surprised if your effort doesn’t make the cut. Many have tried to reproduce these bizarre occurrences and failed. Of course, that shouldn’t stop you from trying for success.