Read Time: 1 min 50 secs
Hey — Ryan To here.
In today's edition:
The winning content formats of 2026 (+ examples)
Updated framework for founder-led creators
Case studies from e-commerce, consumer apps, and AI
This week I'm keeping it simple.
I've been studying what's actually getting views right now
not empty viral views or what's ‘trending’
what founders across e-commerce, consumer apps, and AI are using
after a while I started to connect the dots across all 3…
they all are using the same framework to grow right now
here’s the framework they use:
1. Thought Leadership
iPhone on. Talk to camera. No script. No editing.
That's it.
Check out @nicktarmo
"10 out of 10 signs that the person you're talking to has high agency”
This one got 2.7M views:
And this one got 1M views with the same format flipped
Same structure. Same setting. Different angle.
Why it works:
→ Pick a topic your audience has strong feelings about.
→ You say something bold
→ Then defend it with increasingly specific observations
→ Each point gets more niche, peaking curiosity
The viewer either agrees (shares it) or disagrees (comments)
Both feed the algorithm.
2. Use Cases
AI content is everywhere right now
But the videos getting millions of views aren't explaining what AI does
They're showing someone using it to solve a real problem
Check out @buildwithcormac
He gave his AI agent a debit card with a $50 daily limit
This one got 1.6M views:
No tutorial. No "top 5 prompts"
Just: here's what I did, here's what happened.
The viewer watches and thinks "wait, I could do that"
How to apply this:
Pick one problem your audience complains about every week
Record yourself solving it with a specific tool (messy version)
The hook is the result"I just gave my AI agent a credit card"
3. Signature Series
A signature series is a repeatable format that nobody else could make.
The first two formats are easy to start
This one is harder.
But it's how you get remembered.
Check out @spaceboycole "Cool shit I'd do for Cheez-It"
Picks a brand and redesigns their entire merch collection
This one got 1.9M views:
Graphic design + creative format = innovative
How to find your 1 of 1 format:
Creative talents, professional experiences, merging 2 niche skills, a weird hobby + your industry, the thing you explain at dinner without thinking, the skill nobody in your space has, the intersection nobody's claimed yet
Have a great day ❤️
|
Ryan To
Creator (120K+)
@itsryanto
|
|