Meet the man who growth hacked his app to 1M downloads

The Startup Ideas Podcast

Join me as I chat with Chris Josephs, Co-Founder of Autopilot, as we discuss his frameworks and strategies for growth hacking startups. Learn his step-by-step formula to building and converting attention, affinity, and authority into brand loyalty and startup growth.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
03:20 Chris’s Viral Formula Overview
08:13 Step 1: Build Niche Meme account with Authority
14:36 Step 2: Find Creative ways to build loyalty and vitality
19:18 Step 3: Getting free press
23:54 UFC Sponsorship Retrospective
28:23 How Chris would build a meme account
40:49 Startup Idea: Twitch for Online Shopping
46:52 SIP success stories

1) Chris doesn't see himself as a marketer or growth guy. He's a SOCIAL ENGINEER.
• His focus? Reverse engineering virality and creating formulas for content that EXPLODE on social media.

2) The Pelosi Tracker origin story:
• Built meme pages with millions of followers
• Focused on politician stock trades
• Translated virality into a real product (Autopilot app)
Key insight: Memes + Authority = Powerful combo

3) Chris's framework for building viral meme pages:
a) Create an account with a clear, catchy name
b) Engage as a "reply guy" on relevant topics
c) Do deep, investigative journalism to build credibility
• Marry memes with authority to become THE go-to account in your niche.

4) The UFC sponsorship case study:
• Sponsored the event (base layer of credibility)
• Sent a fake Nancy Pelosi to the fight
• Drove a Cybertruck with "Pelosi 2024" around Vegas
• Goal: Maximize surface area for virality and build brand loyalty

5) Chris's viral formula:
• Each additional stunt increases chances of going viral:
a) UFC sponsorship alone = 10% chance
b) +Fake Pelosi = 15% chance
c) +Cybertruck stunt = 20% chance
• Keep adding elements to boost your odds!

6) Key to monetizing meme pages:
• Don't just post funny content. Mix in authority-building posts to be taken seriously.
• High engagement does not mean High monetization
• Authority + Engagement = winning formula

7) Startup idea alert: Live shopping streams for Gen Z women
• Imagine: The Twitch of online shopping, where influencers livestream their browsing & purchasing decisions.
• Huge potential here. Who's gonna build it?

8) Growth hack: Build relationships with journalists
• Create an email list of reporters in your niche
• Regularly send them high-quality, relevant info (no selling!)
• Become their go-to source for stories
• Free press = Priceless marketing

9) Remember: Consistency is key in building your brand.
• Find your angle (like Autopilot's "Pelosi 2024 - Invest like a politician") and double down on it.
• Create moments, build loyalty, make people LOVE your brand.

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FIND ME ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND CHRIS ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/Chrisjjosephs
Autopilot: https://www.joinautopilot.com/
Pelosi Tracker: https://x.com/PelosiTracker_