Ever thought about why some things on the internet become really popular? Lots of people wonder about this. Especially those who create content for a living. They want their stuff to be seen and enjoyed by as many people as possible.
The good news is, you can make your content go viral, meaning it spreads like wildfire online. You don’t have to be a genius at marketing for this to happen.
What you do need to do is understand what makes people want to share things online. Once you get that, you can use it to make your own content super shareable.
So, let’s dive into the world of viral content and learn how to make your marketing efforts a hit!
What Is Viral Content?
Viral content spreads really fast, just like how a virus spreads.
People see it, love it, and then share it with their friends on social media. Suddenly, lots and lots of people are looking at your stuff.
So, what kind of things can go viral? Anything, really: a cool picture, a funny video, an interesting article, or even just a catchy phrase. The key is that it’s special, easy to share, and sticks in people’s minds for all the right reasons.
So Basically, Viral content refers to any piece of digital media – whether it’s a video, image, article, or meme – that spreads rapidly and extensively across the internet through social sharing. Unlike traditional marketing content, which relies on paid promotions and targeted campaigns, viral content gains momentum organically as users share it with their networks, amplifying its reach exponentially. The essence of viral content lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions, capture attention, and inspire users to share it with others, creating a ripple effect that can lead to widespread visibility and engagement.
Benefits of Going Viral on Social Media
Going viral on social media can yield a multitude of benefits for individuals, businesses, and brands:
Increased Reach and Visibility
Viral content has the potential to reach millions of users within a short period, significantly expanding your audience and visibility across social media platforms.
Enhanced Brand Awareness
Viral content puts your brand in front of a vast audience, increasing brand recognition and positioning your business as a thought leader or innovator in your industry.
Improved Engagement and Interaction
Viral content tends to generate high levels of engagement, including likes, shares, comments, and mentions, fostering meaningful interactions with your audience.
Boosted Website Traffic
Viral content often drives traffic to your website or landing pages, providing opportunities to capture leads, promote products or services, and encourage further exploration of your offerings.
Enhanced Social Proof
The virality of your content serves as social proof of your brand’s relevance and popularity, instilling trust and confidence in potential customers and followers.
How to Create Viral Content on Social Media
Okay, so basically, there’s no surefire way to make something you create become super popular online. But there are some tricks you can try to increase your chances of making a really popular digital marketing campaign. Here are seven steps you can follow:
Start With Research
Before you even begin making your content, you need to do some homework. Decide what you want to achieve. Do you want lots of followers or a ton of people to watch your video? Once you have a clear goal, find out what your audience likes. What websites do they visit? What kind of stuff do they share and talk about the most? This will help you figure out where to focus your efforts and what type of content to create, like pictures or written posts.
Be Different
Okay, so what makes stuff go viral online? It’s usually because it’s something new and genuine in some way. It surprises people.
Sure, here’s another example. Think about a company that sells blenders. Most ads for blenders might show how powerful they are at blending fruits and vegetables.
But let’s say one company decides to be different. They create a funny video showing the blender crushing things you wouldn’t expect, like a keyboard or a toy. It’s unexpected and makes people laugh.
So, the idea is to find a unique angle for your content. If you’re doing something that’s not typical for your industry, it can make your content more interesting and shareable.
Tell Compelling Stories
Storytelling is a timeless art form that has the power to captivate, inspire, and connect people on a deeper level. Craft narratives that resonate with your audience’s aspirations, challenges, and values. Whether it’s through video testimonials, customer success stories, or behind-the-scenes glimpses, storytelling humanizes your brand and fosters meaningful connections with your audience.
Spark Conversations and Controversy
Controversy has a way of igniting conversations and driving engagement on social media. While it’s essential to approach sensitive topics with tact and empathy, don’t shy away from addressing controversial issues or taking a stand on matters relevant to your brand. Provocative content that challenges norms or sparks debate can generate buzz and attract attention, albeit with some risks involved.
Get Visual
If you’re aiming for a viral campaign, incorporating visuals is essential.
Consider this: Which would you be more inclined to share on social media? A lengthy article filled with paragraphs of text or an engaging image accompanied by a catchy caption?
Chances are, you’d opt for the latter. Why? Because visual content is easily digestible and enjoyable. While informative content is valuable, capturing your audience’s attention also involves entertaining them.
Additional Notes on Achieving Virality on Social Media
- Avoid overt selling: Viral social media marketing isn’t the place for heavy-handed promotional messages. Save your sales pitches for other channels and focus on creating engaging, shareable content that adds value to your audience’s experience.
- Embrace the unpredictability: Not every piece of content you create will go viral, and that’s okay. There’s an element of luck involved, and even the most well-crafted content can miss the mark. Don’t be discouraged by occasional misses; instead, learn from them and continue experimenting with new ideas.
- Align with your brand goals: While the allure of virality may be tempting, ensure that your viral social media posts align with your brand’s objectives and values. Viral content should ultimately contribute to your broader marketing strategy and help you achieve your business goals.
- Explore additional resources: For more tips and tricks on social media marketing and beyond, consider exploring resources such as the AdRoll Marketing Resource Library. Continuously seek out new insights and strategies to refine your approach and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing digital landscape.
FAQs
What content goes viral the most?
Content that tends to go viral the most often includes humorous videos, heartwarming stories, controversial topics, informative infographics, and visually stunning images. However, the key to viral content is its ability to evoke strong emotions or resonate deeply with a wide audience.
What is the easiest platform to go viral?
While there’s no guaranteed formula for virality, platforms like TikTok and Twitter are known for their fast-paced nature, making it easier for content to gain traction quickly. However, the potential for virality exists on any platform, depending on the content and how well it resonates with the audience.
How to make Instagram viral?
To increase the chances of your content going viral on Instagram, focus on creating visually appealing posts, leveraging trending hashtags, collaborating with influencers, engaging with your audience through comments and stories, and posting consistently. Additionally, utilizing Instagram’s various features such as Reels, IGTV, and Stories can help broaden your reach.
What are the benefits of viral content for my business?
Viral content can significantly boost brand awareness, attract new customers, drive traffic to your website or social media profiles, increase engagement, and even lead to sales conversions. Additionally, it helps position your brand as relevant and innovative in the eyes of your audience, fostering long-term loyalty and credibility.