Have you ever wondered what it takes to build something that explodes in popularity overnight? In a recent tweet, Damien (@zkdamien), CTO at Apillon and a key builder in the Solana ecosystem, highlighted a must-watch video from Solana featuring Nikita Bier. Bier, known for creating hit apps like Gas and TBH that racked up millions of users, breaks down his playbook for crafting viral consumer products. While the talk focuses on apps, the principles scream relevance for meme token creators—after all, memes are the ultimate viral machines in crypto.

The video, posted by the official Solana account, clocks in at about four minutes but packs a punch with actionable insights. Bier draws from his 15 years of experience shipping consumer apps, emphasizing that success isn't about perfection but about iteration, community, and embracing the unpredictable. Let's dive into the key lessons and see how they translate to the wild world of meme tokens on Solana.

Lesson 1: Identify the Community

Bier starts strong: Find your niche. He stresses that viral products often begin by solving a problem for a small, passionate group. Think about it—apps like Instagram or TikTok didn't launch for everyone; they targeted specific crowds and let word-of-mouth do the rest.

For meme tokens, this is gold. Meme coins thrive on communities like degens, animal lovers, or niche internet cultures. Take Dogecoin or Shiba Inu; they tapped into dog meme enthusiasts and rode the wave. On Solana, where transaction speeds are lightning-fast and fees are low, you can quickly test ideas with tools like Pump.fun. The takeaway? Don't aim for mass appeal right away. Build for a subreddit, a Discord server, or an X community that's already buzzing, and watch the virality kick in.

Lesson 2: Ship the Weird V1

One of Bier's boldest tips: Launch a "weird" version 1.0. Don't wait for polish—get something out there that's functional but quirky. He shares stories of apps that looked rough but hooked users because they delivered core value immediately.

This mirrors the meme token scene perfectly. Many successful memes start as jokes or half-baked ideas, like a cat in a hat or a frog with attitude. Solana's ecosystem encourages this with easy token creation. Remember, PEPE or BONK didn't launch with fancy utilities; they shipped weird, embraced the chaos, and iterated based on feedback. Bier warns against overthinking: "Consumer products live and die by volatility." In meme terms, that means riding the pumps and dumps while building loyalty.

Lesson 3: Embrace the Chaos

Bier talks about the unpredictability of user behavior. Once your app (or token) is out, users will use it in ways you never imagined. Instead of fighting it, lean in. He advises testing quietly and staying stealthy to gather real signals without hype clouding the data.

In the meme token space, chaos is the name of the game. Pumps can happen from a single viral tweet, and dumps from FUD. But smart creators use Solana's Blinks or actions to add fun utilities on the fly, turning chaos into community-driven evolution. Bier's point on getting clear signals? Track engagement metrics like holder count, trading volume, and social mentions early. Tools like Dexscreener or Birdeye on Solana make this a breeze.

Lesson 4: Get Clear Signals

Don't rely on vague feedback. Bier urges builders to seek conclusive results—did users come back? Did they invite friends? He shares examples of experiments that bombed because signals were inconclusive.

For meme tokens, this means monitoring on-chain data. On Solana, you can see real-time wallet interactions, which is a clearer signal than off-chain polls. If your token's seeing repeat buys or airdrop claims, you're onto something. Bier's advice to walk away from dead ends is crucial—crypto is full of rugs and fades, so pivot fast.

Lesson 5: Test Quietly, Stay Stealthy

Finally, Bier advocates for stealth mode. Build in a silo, test with a small group, and only go public when you have proof of concept. This avoids premature criticism and lets you refine based on genuine use.

Meme token launches often flip this—hype first, product later. But imagine stealth-dropping a meme with solid lore and utilities on Solana. Projects like Helium or Jupiter started small and scaled. For builders, this means using Solana's dev tools to prototype without fanfare, then unleash the meme magic.

Damien's endorsement isn't random; as a Solana builder himself, he knows these lessons apply to the blockchain's fast-paced environment. Solana's high throughput makes it ideal for viral experiments, whether apps or tokens. If you're dipping into meme creation, watch the video here—it's a quick hit of inspiration.

In the end, Bier's message is empowering: You have the freedom to make mistakes and map new directions. For meme token enthusiasts on Solana, that's the spirit. Ship weird, find your tribe, and let the virality handle the rest. What's your take—ready to launch that quirky meme idea?