Secret To Success: What Makes Content Go Viral

Have you ever wondered why some online posts spread like wildfire while others barely get noticed? In 2023, a video of a Scottish grandmother laughing at a face-altering filter got over 40 million views on TikTok. 

That’s the power of viral content! In today’s digital world, creating content that people want to share is super important for businesses and individuals alike. 

But what’s the secret sauce that makes content go viral? Let’s dive in and explore the key ingredients that can help your content spread across the internet.

What is Viral Content?

Before we jump into the how-to’s, let’s first understand what we mean by “viral content.” Simply put, viral content is any piece of online material – be it a video, image, article, or even a tweet – that gets shared rapidly and widely across the internet and social media platforms. It’s like a digital version of word-of-mouth, but on steroids!

So, why do people share content? It all comes down to psychology. Humans are social creatures, and we love to share things that make us feel good, make us laugh, or that we think will be helpful to others. When we share content, we’re not just passing along information but also expressing something about ourselves.

Emotions play a huge role in making content go viral. Content that triggers strong emotions, whether it’s joy, anger, awe, or even sadness, is more likely to be shared. Think about the last time you shared something online. Chances are, it made you feel something strongly.

Key Elements of Viral Content

Now that we understand what viral content is and why people share it, let’s look at the key elements that make content more likely to go viral:

 1. Relatability and Universal Appeal

Content that a lot of people can relate to has a better chance of going viral. This is because when people see something they can connect with, they’re more likely to share it with others who might feel the same way. For example, memes about the struggles of adulting or working from home often go viral because so many people can say, “That’s so me!”

To make your content relatable:

• Focus on common experiences or feelings
• Use everyday language that your audience uses
• Share personal stories that others might see themselves in

 2. Timeliness and Relevance

Content that’s tied to current events, trends, or hot topics is more likely to catch fire. People love to share content that feels fresh and relevant to what’s happening in the world right now. This is why news stories, trending hashtags, and content related to popular TV shows often go viral.

To make your content timely and relevant:

• Keep an eye on trending topics and news stories
• Create content that adds to ongoing conversations
• Be quick to respond to current events (but be sensitive and thoughtful)

 3. Uniqueness and Novelty

Something unique or novel can stand out in a world where we’re bombarded with content daily. Content that surprises people, teaches them something new or shows them something they’ve never seen before has a better chance of being shared.

To make your content unique:

• Try to find a new angle on familiar topics
• Experiment with different formats or styles
• Share information or ideas that aren’t widely known

 4. Visual Appeal and Aesthetics

We humans are visual creatures and content that looks good is more likely to catch our eye and get shared. This doesn’t mean everything has to be professionally designed, but paying attention to how your content looks can make a big difference.

To improve the visual appeal of your content:

• Use high-quality images or videos
• Pay attention to color schemes and layout
• Keep things clean and uncluttered
• Use infographics to present information in an engaging way

 5. Storytelling and Narrative Structure

People love stories. Content that tells a compelling story or takes the audience on a journey is more likely to be shared. This is true whether you’re creating a video, writing an article, or even crafting a social media post.

To improve your storytelling:

• Have a clear beginning, middle, and end
• Create tension or conflict and then resolve it
• Use characters or examples that your audience can relate to
• Appeal to emotions through your narrative

Leveraging Social Proof and Influencers

Another important aspect of viral content is social proof. This is the idea that people are more likely to do something if they see others doing it. In the context of viral content, this means that content that already has a lot of shares, likes, or comments is more likely to get even more.

Here’s how you can use social proof to your advantage:

1. Show numbers: If your content has been viewed or shared a lot, make sure that’s visible. People are more likely to engage with content that others have already found valuable.
2. Highlight testimonials or comments: If people are saying great things about your content, showcase those comments. This can encourage others to engage and share.
3. Collaborate with influencers: People with large followings can help your content reach a wider audience. When an influencer shares your content, their followers are more likely to trust it and share it themselves.

To work effectively with influencers:

• Choose influencers whose audience matches your target audience
• Build genuine relationships rather than just asking for favors
• Offer something of value in return for their support
• Make sure the collaboration feels authentic and not forced

Creating shareable content formats is also crucial. Some types of content are just naturally more shareable than others. These include:

• Lists (like “10 Ways to Improve Your Health”)
• How-to guides
• Infographics
• Short, funny videos
• Inspirational quotes or stories
• Surprising facts or statistics

Try to incorporate these formats into your content strategy to increase the chances of your content being shared.

Optimizing for Shareability

Creating great content is just the first step. To increase the chances of your content going viral, you need to optimize it for sharing. Here’s how:

 1. Platform-specific considerations

Each social media platform has its own quirks and best practices. What works on Instagram might not work as well on LinkedIn. Here are some platform-specific tips:

• Facebook: Videos and images tend to perform well. Longer posts can work if they’re engaging.
• Instagram: High-quality visuals are a must. Use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability.
• Twitter: Keep it short and snappy. Use hashtags, but don’t overdo it.
• LinkedIn: Professional content and industry insights work well here.
• TikTok: Short, entertaining videos are king. Music and trending sounds are important.

 2. Crafting compelling headlines and thumbnails

Your headline or title is often the first thing people see, so it needs to grab attention. Some tips for great headlines:

• Use numbers (e.g., “7 Secrets to Better Sleep”)
• Ask a question (e.g., “Want to Double Your Productivity?”)
• Make a bold statement (e.g., “This Simple Trick Will Change Your Life”)
• Use power words (e.g., “amazing,” “essential,” “proven”)

For videos or articles with thumbnails, make sure your thumbnail is eye-catching and gives a hint of what the content is about.

 3. Encouraging user engagement and interaction

Content that gets people involved is more likely to be shared. Here are some ways to boost engagement:

• Ask questions in your posts
• Run polls or surveys
• Encourage people to share their own experiences in the comments
• Create challenges or contests that people can participate in
• Respond to comments to keep the conversation going

The Role of Data and Analytics

Creating viral content isn’t just about creativity – it’s also about understanding what works and what doesn’t. This is where data and analytics come in.

 1. Tracking and measuring virality metrics

To understand how your content is performing, you need to track key metrics such as:

• Shares: How many times your content has been shared
• Engagement rate: Likes, comments, and shares compared to your total followers
• Reach: How many unique users have seen your content
• Click-through rate: For content with links, how many people are clicking through

Most social media platforms offer built-in analytics tools. There are also third-party tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social that can give you more detailed insights.

 2. A/B testing and content optimization

A/B testing involves creating two slightly different versions of your content and seeing which one performs better. You might test things like:

• Different headlines
• Various images or thumbnails
• Posting at different times of day
• Different calls-to-action

By consistently testing and optimizing your content, you can improve your chances of creating something that goes viral.

 3. Learning from past successes and failures

Pay attention to what has worked well for you in the past. Which of your posts got the most shares? What type of content seems to resonate most with your audience? Similarly, look at content that didn’t perform well and try to understand why.

Don’t just look at your content – analyze viral content in your industry or niche. What made it successful? How can you apply those lessons to your content?

Ethical Considerations

While it’s important to create shareable content, it’s equally important to do so ethically. Here are some key ethical considerations:

• Avoiding clickbait and misleading content

It can be tempting to use sensational headlines to get clicks, but if your content doesn’t deliver on its promises, people will lose trust in you. Always make sure your content lives up to the expectations set by your headline or thumbnail.

• Respecting copyright and intellectual property

Never use someone else’s content without permission. This includes images, music, and written content. If you want to share someone else’s work, make sure to give proper credit and follow copyright laws.

• Balancing viral potential with brand values

Don’t compromise your brand’s values or message just to go viral. Consistency and authenticity are key to building long-term trust with your audience.

Practical Tips for Creating Viral-Worthy Content

Now that we’ve covered the theory, let’s look at some practical tips for creating content with viral potential:

 1. Brainstorming techniques for viral ideas

• Use mind mapping to explore different angles on a topic
• Look at trending topics and think about unique ways to contribute to the conversation
• Ask your audience what they’d like to see
• Combine two unrelated ideas to create something new and interesting

 2. Tools and resources for content creation and distribution

• Canva for creating eye-catching graphics
• Headliner for turning audio into shareable video clips
• TubeBuddy for optimizing YouTube videos
• Later for scheduling and analyzing Instagram posts
• Grammarly for polishing your writing

 3. Building a content strategy focused on virality potential

• Create a content calendar to plan your posts
• Mix different types of content (e.g., videos, images, text posts)
• Plan content around upcoming events or holidays
• Set aside time for reactive content based on current events or trends
• Regularly analyze your results and adjust your strategy accordingly

Conclusion

Creating viral content isn’t an exact science, but by understanding the key elements that contribute to virality, you can increase your chances of success. 

The most important thing is to keep experimenting and learning. What works for one audience might not work for another, so it’s crucial to understand your specific audience and what resonates with them.

Don’t get discouraged if your content doesn’t go viral right away. Even content creators who regularly produce viral hits don’t succeed every time. 

The key is to keep creating, keep learning, and keep improving.