012 Flamethrowers & Magic: The Highs & Lows Of E-Commerce On Reddit With Adam Wilber

012 Flamethrowers & Magic: The Highs & Lows Of E-Commerce On Reddit With Adam Wilber

Author: Brian Swichkow: Social Engineering, Digital Empathy, Community Marketing January 13, 2016 Duration: 1:02:12

Passionate magician, fantastic human, and COO for Ellusionist — the 'The World's First Online Magic Retailer' — it wasn't abnormal for Adam Wilber to conceive of something as magnificent as a wrist mounted, fully concealable flame thrower. Making it's way to Reddit organically, it generated sales far beyond what they ever expected. A year later, while launching the second (even more concealable) version their ignorance got the better of them and they were banned from /r/gadgets for inadvertently gaming the system by campaigning to their email list for votes. The story of the Pyro is one of success on accident, failure on purpose, and (finally) success on purpose.

Create social leverage with the Ghost Influence Community.

Music: 'Dan Porcaro - Shadows'


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…