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. 

Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)

Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas 

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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_

Creators & Guests

Host
GREG ISENBERG
I build internet communities and products for them. CEO: @latecheckoutplz, we're behind companies like @youneedarobot @boringmarketer @dispatchdesign etc.

What is The Startup Ideas Podcast?

Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out.

For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas