008 The User Is Drunk: UX Design, Alcohol, & Internet Fame With Richard Littauer

008 The User Is Drunk: UX Design, Alcohol, & Internet Fame With Richard Littauer

Author: Brian Swichkow: Social Engineering, Digital Empathy, Community Marketing December 5, 2015 Duration: 38:41

Richard Littauer was more than a few drinks in when his friend asked for feedback on the user experience of his website. While he warned of his inebriated state, the friend persisted that he wanted to know his thoughts. Hesitantly, Richard began diving in and soon realized that his lack of verbal filter was proving entertaining — yet surprisingly helpful feedback. The idea percolated into the purchase of the domain 'theuserisdrunk.com' which sat dormant until a hackathon where he felt it was time to bring the project to life.

Setting up a simple, one-page website, Richard built his consulting offer whereby he would get drunk and make a video reviewing your website. Within an hour of submission, he was at the top of Hacker News. He had just under 100,000 visitors on the first day and within a week around 300k. He was interviewed by FastCo, Tech.co, Gizmodo, VWO, Hubspot. The project quickly became massive leverage for his consulting work and has been ever since.

Create social leverage with the Ghost Influence community.

Music: 'Marko Stc - Apollo 13 (Renan Willian Remix)'


Ever wonder what really happens in the hours after a post explodes on Reddit? The Ghost Influence Podcast: How Viral Happens On Reddit goes beyond the upvote count to explore the human stories and strategic decisions that follow sudden internet fame. Hosted by Brian Swichkow, whose background in social engineering and digital empathy provides a unique lens, each conversation dissects a specific case of viral content. You’ll hear directly from the people who created or were thrust into the spotlight, learning not just how something caught fire, but more importantly, what they chose to do with that fleeting attention. This isn't about generic tips; it's a deep dive into the nuanced art of turning a temporary surge of views into lasting impact, whether that's building a business, advocating for a cause, or simply understanding the mechanics of online communities. The podcast meticulously deconstructs the ecosystem of platforms like Reddit, revealing how genuine community interaction can lead to massive, organic exposure. For anyone curious about the intersection of modern marketing, psychology, and digital culture, these conversations offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the real work that happens after the meme is made. Tune in for a compelling analysis of influence that feels both authentic and actionable.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 16

The Ghost Influence Podcast: How Viral Happens On Reddit
Podcast Episodes
007 Squatty Potty: Unicorn Poop Gone Viral With Bobby Edwards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
Bobby Edwards just wanted to help his mom poop. Having discovered the extensive benefits of squatting to poop, he set out to create "the stool for better stool". It wasn't until a barrage of awkward Christmas gifts resul…
006 Pixel Thoughts: Meditation Tool Gone Viral With Marc Balaban [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:44
Marc Balaban wanted to escape his job in tech recruitment to improve his web development skills and move towards something more creative. He joined a hackathon to push those boundaries and was challenged to create a prod…