By Clint Sanchez · Published · Updated · 5 min read

Quick answer
The 'Thinking With My Dick' TikTok, filmed at a Lafayette Mardi Gras parade and viewed 35 million times, teaches six marketing lessons: keep content short and to the point, be authentic, have fun with it, keep a specific audience in mind, time the release for when people are already in the mood, and accept that virality cannot be forced. People share what they want to share.
Key takeaways
- The video reached 35 million views on TikTok, shot from a Krewe De Krunk float in Lafayette, Louisiana, on March 1 during a Mardi Gras parade.
- It runs just over a minute with no production values, which is the point: a concise message holds attention.
- The clip worked because it is authentic; audiences can tell when a brand is pretending to be something it is not.
- Timing mattered: it was released during Mardi Gras, when people were already in a festive mood and looking for fun content.
- The song choice targets a specific demographic; content should be built for a defined audience, not for everyone.
- Filmmaker John E. Weatherall III did not set out to go viral; he was documenting his hometown, and rapper Steven Barbosa was just having fun.
The video was shot on a Krewe De Krunk float in Lafayette, and its timing worked because Louisiana was already mid-Carnival. For a Baton Rouge or Denham Springs business the same calendar applies: Mardi Gras, LSU football Saturdays, and crawfish season are the windows when local audiences are already in the mood to share. Content released in those windows travels; the same post in a quiet week does not.
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*Warning – Adult Language Ahead*
Marketing is all about getting your message out there and getting people to notice. While there are many different ways to do that, sometimes the most straightforward methods can be the most effective.

That’s certainly been the case with a new video making the rounds on social media lately. It features a guy rapping along to a song called “Thinking With My Dick”, and it’s gone viral thanks to TikTok. To date, it has 35 million views!
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Now, there’s no real secret to making something go viral. However, marketers can learn a few things from this video to help them create content that is more likely to be noticed and shared.
Are you ready? Let’s take a look.
About the Video
The video was shot by John E. Weatherall III, who also directed it and produced it, and Steven Barbosa is the rapper in it. On March 1 in Lafayette, Louisiana, during a Mardi Gras parade, Weatherall was riding on a Krewe De Krunk float when he spotted Barbosa and just started filming him.
John has had other viral TikToks from Mardi Gras and community events in Lafayette, but this one truly blew up.
“Overall, I’m just overwhelmed because I’ve always wanted my hometown to be recognized,” Weatherall says. “My goal has always been to document the area I grew up in and capture moments, like Steven’s rapping, so that people can look back on them years from now.”
Now that you know about the video, let’s look at what digital marketers can learn from it.
Short and To the Point
The first thing to note is that the video is short and to the point. It’s just over a minute long, and in that time, the man in the video does nothing more than rap along to the song. There are no fancy production values or anything else that would distract from the core message.
This is something that is often lost in the world of marketing. Marketers often feel they need to pack as much information into their content as possible, but that’s not always the best approach. Sometimes, less is more.
If you can make your point concisely, you’re more likely to capture people’s attention. And that’s what you want, especially when trying to go viral.
Be Authentic
Another thing to note is that the video is authentic. It does not attempt to be something that it is not. The guy in the video is just himself, and that’s what people are responding to.
In the marketing world, trying to be something you’re not can be tempting. But people can see through that, and they’ll likely be turned off by it.
It’s essential to be authentic in your marketing. Be true to yourself, and don’t try to be something you’re not. It will pay off in the long run.
Have Fun With It
Finally, it’s essential to have fun with your content. The man in the video is having a good time, and that’s part of what makes it so appealing.
It will show in your content if you’re not enjoying the process. But if you are, that will come through as well. So don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your marketing. It will make a world of difference.
Keep Your Audience in Mind
For one thing, it’s essential to keep your audience in mind. The “Thinking With My Dick” guy appeals to a specific demographic with his song choice. And while not every piece of content you create will be quite edgy, it’s important to remember that you must create something that will appeal to your target audience.
Consider Your Timing
Another essential thing to keep in mind is that timing is everything. The “Thinking With My Dick” guy happened to release his video at just the right time – during Mardi Gras when people are already in a festive mood and looking for fun content to watch.
So, if you want your content to have a chance of going viral, you need to make sure it’s released at a time when people are likely to be in the mood for it.
You Can’t Force It
Finally, it’s important to remember that you can’t force something to go viral. The “Thinking With My Dick” guy didn’t set out to make a viral video – he was just having fun and sharing his passion for music.
All marketers should keep this in mind. You can’t force people to share your content; you have to create something that they will want to share on their own.
So if you want your content to go viral, remember these three things: make it appealing to your target audience, release it at the right time, and let people share it on their own. And who knows – maybe your content will be the next one to go viral.

Background on the Video
The video was shot by John E. Weatherall III, who also directed and produced it. Steven Barbosa is the rapper in it. On March 1 in Lafayette, Louisiana, during a Mardi Gras parade, Weatherall was riding on a Krewe De Krunk float when he spotted Barbosa and just started filming him.
John has had other viral TikToks from Mardi Gras and community events in Lafayette, but this one blew up.
“Overall, I’m just overwhelmed because I’ve always wanted my hometown to be recognized,” Weatherall says. “My goal has always been to document the area I grew up in and capture moments, like Steven’s rapping, so that people can look back on them years from now.”
Key Takeaways for Marketers
There are a few key takeaways for marketers from this video:
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Be authentic.
- Have fun with your content.
- Keep your audience in mind.
- Consider your timing.
- You can’t force it.
If you need help with content creation, contact us today. We can help you create content that will appeal to your target audience and help you achieve your marketing goals.
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About the author

Founder & Lead Developer · Denham Springs, LA
Clint has built and marketed websites for 26 years, since founding BlakSheep Creative in 2000. He is also a 29-year firefighter and a 23-year member of IAFF Local 557, which is where the bias toward plain answers over sales copy comes from.
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Common questions about digital marketing
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Can a business force content to go viral?
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