Create ideas using: Prank
How do I pull off a prank without people getting actually mad?
The reveal has to make people laugh more than they were annoyed. Good pranks create a moment of 'oh you got me' delight, not 'fuck you' resentment. Test the line: if your prank wastes significant time, costs money, or exploits genuine vulnerabilities, it's not a prank--it's being an asshole. Surprise and delight, not surprise and damage.
What makes a brand prank actually work versus just being random?
The prank has to connect to your brand message or values in the reveal. Random pranks are just noise. The best ones set up a tension or expectation, then flip it in a way that demonstrates what you stand for. If you could swap your brand logo for any other and the prank still works, it's not brand marketing--it's just YouTube content.
Example: How it could look
A dating app sends notifications to users: 'You have 100 new matches!' People open the app to find one match--themselves. Message: 'Before you can love someone else, love yourself.' The prank makes a real point about self-worth while still creating a shareable moment. Surprise with substance.
Or like this:
Why is Prank a great technique?
Pranks create memorable, shareable moments that cut through noise by surprising people in ways they actually enjoy.
Generates organic social sharing and word-of-mouth
Creates positive emotional association through delight
Earns attention without traditional ad spend
Shows brand personality and willingness to play
When done right, pranks make your brand feel human, fun, and clever. The surprise creates a memory hook, and the reveal delivers your message. Just don't be mean about it--delightful surprise beats cruel gotcha every single time.
! When not to use the Prank Technique
When your 'prank' is actually just lying to people or wasting their time with no payoff. That's not marketing, that's being a dick.
Technique first described by www.deckofbrilliance.com