Have you ever come across something online that was so interesting that you just had to share it with others?
This is viral content! It has the power to catch fire and spread quickly across social media platforms. This type of content can make even the smallest brands into household names overnight.
However, that viral success feels like a mix of skills, timing, and a bit of luck- and if we are being honest here, it is quite a tricky goal to hit!
There is no foolproof method to ensure your content goes viral. But, there are some best practices that can greatly boost your chances. This post highlights a few! Let’s have a look!
.
Source: (https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/social-media-marketing-mobile-phone-concept_6749492.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=48&uuid=825cc781-5319-4e57-b44a-65b1e0b9f09e&new_detail=true)
What Viral Content Does For You
So why is viral content so powerful and something that every content creator strives for? The truth is going viral comes with a myriad of benefits.
You Get Wider Exposure
When your content goes viral, it reaches people who may never have heard of you before. This exposure can increase followers, customers, and engagement.
It is Cost-Effective
While you may have to invest time and resources initially to promote your content, the viral nature of your content means it can keep spreading on its own- without any additional cost to you!
You Gain More Trust
People tend to trust content that is shared by others. Hence, going viral increases your credibility and makes it easier to convert those viewers into loyal followers.
You Grow Quickly
As more people interact with your content, you will see a rapid increase in your audience. This usually leads to more opportunities for engagement and sales. Learn more here!
Tips to Create Viral Content
While the potential for viral success is enticing, it is not as simple as throwing some content out there and hoping for the best. Here are some tips you can consider to create content that might just go viral.
Do Your Research
You cannot just jump in and hope for a viral hit. To do it properly, start with research so you can give yourself the best chance. Here are the questions you should be finding answers for:
- Who is your audience?
- Where do they hang out more?
- What type of content do they prefer the most?
It is important to set clear goals. Whether you want to grow your audience or buy Instagram followers to give your profile a boost, always set measurable goals.
If you are starting, a good idea is to give your engagement a boost via services like Mxx and then focus on content that brings in organic traffic.
Be Creative and Different
Viral content is all about bringing something fresh to the table. Do not think about copying what others are doing, and focus on making it unique and unexpected.
- Make it original! Your content needs to stand out. Make sure it is something that has not been seen before.
- Focus on timeliness! If something is happening around you that is relevant to your brand or the message you want to convey, try to create content around it.
Hook Your Audience
You only have a few seconds to capture someone’s attention, so your hook needs to be powerful. The hook is the concept, the part of your content that grabs attention and gets people to engage. Here is what you can do.
- Make your message clear- Do not overcomplicate things. If people do not understand your content, they will scroll past it.
- Appeal to emotions- According to a study, content that sparks emotions can boost your engagement by 24%. The stronger the emotions are, the more engagement you will get!
Source: https://www.frac.tl/viral-emotions-study/
- Encourage action- Your hook should encourage your audience to engage with your content. You can add a call to action to continue their journey and make interaction easy.
Focus on Visuals
We all know that images and videos catch the eye more than text. If you want to create viral content, visuals are a must.
According to a study by Xerox, colorful visuals can boost the chances of getting your posts ready by over 80%. Here are some tips for using visuals effectively
- Incorporate infographics and use data visualizations
- Use short-form videos like Instagram reels for more impact and heightened engagement.
- Make memes and GIFs as lighthearted content is usually widely shared.
Visuals do not just entertain- they boost engagement. Combine them with a solid message and you have the perfect formula for content that could go viral.
Leverage Storytelling
Great stories can help you connect with people on a deeper level. When you share narratives that evoke emotions and make your audience feel something, you can increase the chances of your content being shared more. Here are some tips to leverage storytelling.
- Tell a personal story or share your journey
- Make it relatable so your audience can see themselves in your story
- Create a plot- do not just present facts. Your story should have a beginning, middle, and end
According to research, a post that draws a strong emotional response has more chance of going viral, and a powerful narrative can do just that.
Optimize Content for Social Sharing
To draw in more people, it can help to boost your views or likes via social media marketing services.
A large number of views not only boosts your visibility but also compels people to stop scrolling and check your content to see what the hype is all about. They may then also want to share it with people in their network, for which you must ensure that it is easy to share.
Here is how you can make it easy to share.
- Use shareable formats
- Add sharing buttons or hashtags
- Encourage sharing by directly asking people
Final Thoughts
Creating viral content may not be an exact science, but when you understand your audience, make unique content, and tell a powerful story, you can certainly boost your success prospects.
If you want to grow your audience, focus on making content that appeals to your audience, taps into their emotions, and drives sharing. The digital world is moving fast and what is viral today may not be popular tomorrow.
The key, then, is to ride the wave and employ an approach that enables you to make an impact. So keep experimenting, and do not be afraid to take risks. Who knows, you might just make the next viral hit!
