Many people admire how certain content goes viral and think the easiest way is just to copy it. But replicating it doesn’t guarantee the same reach or impact. The results depend on how you use the content and the state of your social media account — for example, whether you have an active following or low engagement can make a significant difference.

If you’ve seen Tom Lizard from Hoppers doing that tiny, awkward wave with a subtle open-mouth smile, you know why the internet went crazy over it. That micro-expression of awkward friendliness became a viral sensation because it’s relatable, funny, and shareable.

But what if you want to do the same with your own brand character — your mascot, logo, or product illustration — without hiring a designer or a marketing agency? Can AI magically replicate that viral magic? Let’s dive in.

Why Business Owners Try to DIY Viral Content

Many small business owners think:

“If I just use AI, I can copy the latest viral trend and make my brand look professional.”

Sounds simple, right? 🤔

But here’s the catch:

• AI can generate images or animations, but it doesn’t automatically give your character the right emotion, timing, or relatability.
• Viral content isn’t just about the motion — it’s the subtle pauses, hesitant gestures, and facial cues that make people laugh or relate.
• Missing these nuances can make your content look stiff, awkward, or worse… confusing.

That’s exactly the pain point IreneKreations solves for business owners: helping you capture your brand’s personality visually, even if you’re not an expert.

Step 1: Understanding the Viral Elements

Take Tom Lizard’s wave as an example:

• Hand gesture: small, hesitant, minimal movement
• Expression: subtle open-mouth smile, neutral face transitioning to friendliness
• Timing: short pause before, hold mid-wave, slight delay after

If you just tell AI “make my mascot wave,” you’ll lose the magic. The key is breaking the movement down into motion + emotion + timing — something most business owners don’t have time or skills to do themselves.

Step 2: Translating to Your Brand Character

Here’s how you can approach it:

1. Describe your character’s gesture clearly (e.g., “small, hesitant wave”)
2. Add emotional nuance (“friendly but unsure, slight open-mouth smile”)
3. Define timing and pauses (e.g., “short pause before hand lifts, brief hold mid-air, gentle lowering”)

💡 Pro tip: A tiny pause or hesitation can make your character relatable and meme-ready, just like Tom Lizard.

Step 3: The Misconception About AI

Many business owners assume:

“AI is easy, faster, and will always produce better quality than a human.”

Reality check:

• AI doesn’t understand your brand’s subtle personality automatically
• You need human guidance and storytelling insight to make content resonate
• Poorly guided AI output can slow down your marketing, not speed it up

At IreneKreations, we help brands bridge that gap — you get your DIY freedom while still ensuring your content is emotionally engaging and consistent.

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To answer some of these questions, I’ve figured out how to make your character react like Tom Lizard 🦎. However, results can vary depending on which AI software you use, and that choice can make a huge difference. That said, it’s rarely a one-time process — you’ll need to allocate time for trial and error and adjust the AI settings carefully. In my experience, AI video generators today still struggle to fully follow detailed instructions and capture a natural, human-like touch. Some models even require extra reminders to leave certain parts untouched, even if you didn’t explicitly ask them to change anything.

Here’s a prompt you can use to recreate Tom Lizard’s iconic wave with your own character using an AI video generator:

“The lizard stays in its position, his right hand performs a small, awkward wave. The hand lifts slowly with minimal movement, pauses briefly mid-air, then lowers gently. The character has a neutral face that transitions into a slight open-mouth smile the whole time the wave is in action, conveying friendly but socially awkward energy. The smile is subtle, not exaggerated — more like a quiet, unsure grin. The motion includes a short hesitation before the wave, a soft pause during, and a brief hold after. Overall feeling is low-energy, hesitant, and unintentionally cute. Loopable animation, clean timing, reaction meme style.”

People also ask online:

Q: Can I replicate viral character gestures for my own mascot?
A: Yes, but it’s more than just copying the movement. You need to include facial expressions, timing, and subtle pauses.

Q: Is AI enough to make my mascot go viral?
A: AI can generate visuals, but human insight is key for emotional relatability. Without it, your content might look stiff.

Q: How do I make my brand mascot relatable online?
A: Focus on micro-expressions, gestures, and small personality cues. These details create connection and shareability.

Q: How can I DIY content if I’m not a designer?
A: Break down your idea into gesture + emotion + timing. Tools and AI help, but a clear plan ensures quality.

Q: Where can I find viral mascot inspiration in Singapore?
A: Look at trending memes, short-form animation platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels, and study micro-behaviors like Tom Lizard’s wave.

Key Takeaways for Business Owners

• Viral content isn’t magic; it’s motion + emotion + timing
• AI is a tool, not a replacement for human insight
• Your character can have its own viral personality if guided carefully
• DIY doesn’t mean doing it blindly — strategic guidance shortens your buyer journey and builds confidence
• Subtle cues like an awkward smile or pause can turn ordinary gestures into viral content

That said, I also want to touch on a different topic — more on the local / GEO side. A question I often hear is:

“My business is new — can I really rank on generative search or chat in a short time?”

Think about Tom Lizard 🦎 — he went viral online in less than a month. He didn’t even exist before, yet he made a mark on the internet. If that’s possible, so is it for your brand.

The key is strategy: plan carefully according to your goals, budget, and timeline. And if everything doesn’t line up perfectly, remember — it’s about compromise and balance, not giving up.