How a Forgotten 2019 Meme Format Fueled a Bible App's Rocket to App Store Top 60

Viral content strategies often hinge on rediscovering overlooked formats that once dominated feeds but faded into obscurity. The 'guy with a sign' meme, peaking in late 2019 with accounts like @dudewithsign amassing millions through quirky, street-side placards, exemplifies this. Fast-forward to 2025, and creator Leio McLaren (26) ingeniously repurposed it for Christian audiences via @thechurchdude. By holding cardboard signs with provocative questions like 'What if AI is part of God's plan?' against urban backdrops, he tapped into nostalgia while injecting fresh theological intrigue. This low-production tactic—minimal editing, authentic outdoor shoots—creates instant visual recognition, triggering algorithmic favoritism on Instagram Reels due to high dwell time from readers pausing to decipher messages.

Success stemmed from precise niche targeting. Original formats were generic or humorous; McLaren's version fused evangelical messaging with AI hype, positioning Bible.ai as 'Siri for scripture.' Signs evolved from pure faith prompts ('What does the Bible say about forgiveness?') to direct app plugs ('Download Bible.ai'), visible in grid previews blending serene landscapes, city streets, and app mockups. Psychologically, this leverages cognitive dissonance: juxtaposing ancient wisdom with cutting-edge tech sparks curiosity and shareability among Gen Z Christians seeking accessible spirituality. Profiles across IG, Threads, and TikTok reinforce unity with bios screaming 'Download now @bible.ai app' and 'Reaching the next generation (one sign at a time),' funneling traffic seamlessly.

McLaren's playbook prioritized Instagram as the growth engine, where @thechurchdude hit 79K followers in 10 months and @bible.ai surged to 75K+ in a week via two collab Reels garnering 75K views. Threads mirrored this with 12K+ followers on personal and 8K+ on app profiles, bios optimized for pre-orders. TikTok lagged, signaling platform experimentation—static signs struggle against hyper-dynamic trends, highlighting IG's superiority for photo-led content. Total ecosystem: 102K personal + 84K branded followers, proving cross-posting amplifies reach without diluting brand voice.

Bible.ai debuted at #57 despite biblical apps' hyper-competition, underscoring distribution over product perfection. Pre-launch, bios and signs drove pre-orders; post-launch, Reels featured UGC-style demos (e.g., app chats on forgiveness). Differentiation tactics: subtle UI tweaks from rivals, rapid iteration potential via creator feedback. Key lesson: Audience-first launches convert warm leads—your MVP thrives on pre-built demand, not zero-to-hero marketing.

1. Audit forgotten formats (2019-2021 peaks) via tools like SGE for niche fits. 2. Craft curiosity hooks blending timeless + trendy (e.g., faith + AI). 3. Standardize visuals: hero in plain tee, varied locations for dynamism. 4. Bio CTAs mandatory—link pre-orders everywhere. 5. Sequence platforms: Nail IG, port to Threads/TikTok. 6. Measure velocity: Aim for 10x follower growth pre-launch. Test UGC openers to sustain post-launch virality.