Top Eight Secrets to Creating Viral Content
So, what exactly does it take to make something go viral online? When you think about it, the question is a little difficult. On the other hand, average people are creating some of the coolest and most innovative media, and it just so happens to go viral quickly too.
You may be asking yourself how they do it. The answer differs for every individual responsible for creating good viral content, but if you keep reading, you will discover the top eight secrets to creating viral content.
Top Eight Secrets to Creating Viral Content
Of course, anybody who creates content wants to see it go viral. When you ask your readers to share your content on a social media platform nobody has heard of, it means certain death.
There really isn’t an issue in asking somebody if to share the content on Facebook or Twitter, but that’s as far as you should take it. Never get too pushy.
1. Try and Remain Easygoing
Your campaign for viral greatness can’t be overly complicated. If you are sending your audience an article the size of “War and Peace,” there is a darn good chance that they will look the other way.
A simple, short video, a basic infographic, or an article that goes right to the point is what really works best. Stay within the lines of only a few general marketing ideas – you will be able to fill them in on the rest when they get the rest of the material directly later on.
This method has worked with just about any sort of advertisement for the last 40 years on up. When people see material that is too loud or intricate, they either become bored or suspicious, wondering what sort of gimmick it is and if it is ultimately really worth their time.
2. Never Be Forceful
Avoid hitting your audience with too much force. Know that if the content is going to go viral, it will indeed do just that. No amount of fireworks is going to wow them.
Throw your campaign out there with pivotal timing, lightly remind your audience of what is available, and from there, you will know.
Once you have their attention, then you can begin to push some of your more innovative ideas onto them. Regardless though, at any angle, forceful is almost always seen as a quintessential turnoff.
3. Understand Who Your Audience Is
Is it maybe an emotion-raising campaign that you want to create? You need to be in tune with what ultimately affects your audience.
Do you have any idea what your audience wants from you? Are they possibly looking to be entertained by you? Keep in mind that this is your audience, not just any audience. You need to give them what they are looking for.
This is your court, and you are the jester. Figure out the appropriate topic for your audience and you should no doubt enjoy a little success.
4. Make a Plan of It
Even though some great viral content is spur-of-the-moment genius, the vast majority is typically thought out well. You can never plan on your particular brand of content going viral, but you must make it a point to develop content that makes sense.
Produce a script very carefully just so your audience can get the gist of it. If your dream comes true and your content inevitably goes viral, your content and ideas will make their way to the masses.
5. Never Be Too Bashful to Ask for Help
Regardless of what type of business you want to get off the ground, you surely have some contacts or connections. The ones who are putting in the effort to make your business official.
Check and see if they wouldn’t mind sharing some of your content. Friends, family, colleagues, or employees could very well be your tickets to success.
Never simply ask someone to give away some of their online real estate for nothing; instead, offer to do the same for them. This should help immensely in your endeavor.
6. There Is a Lot in a Title
Believe it or not, many viral content alumni created their content solely based on a catchy title they had brainstormed. If you think about it, you really do only have a few seconds to grab your audience’s attention, so deciding on a topic that will draw attention is vital.
What style of title will catch the most attention? Create something mysterious, eye-catching, shocking or even something that pulls at the heartstrings. Once a person views that special something in a title, you had better believe that they will be reading your article in a matter of seconds.
7. Utilize Pics
It obviously doesn’t come as a shock that pictures are the number one type of content used on social media. Even though when it comes to long-form articles are more popular than short articles, people as a whole are inclined to share an image more than just about anything else.
In the event that a person showcases something you created on social media, you simply have to return the favor. Good karma always wins out. Try to figure out the various ways to put the spotlight on budding bloggers, colleagues, marketers, or even friends’ sites.
When you make friends and allies in any industry, you are building bridges to a more fruitful career or hobby. Your voice becomes more amplified and you begin to make the appropriate circulation to get you to where you want to be.
8. Summon Your Emotions
In many of life’s little decisions, emotions play a crucial role. It is the component that inspires a person to do what they do or if they feel like they need to share something with others.
When you share your emotions with others, you enable feelings such as joy, pain, laughter, and sadness. When these emotions are evoked in somebody, then they feel more of an urge to share these feelings with others.
According to general consensus, the following emotions are the ones that are considered the most popular in viral content:
- Astonishment
- Humor
- Delight