How to Make Any Post Go Viral
Ever wonder why some social media posts go viral overnight, while others barely register? There’s some sort of a golden key to unlock virality… and what may that be? Well, get ready because we’re about to tell you the ultimate hack to ensure that every single one of your posts goes viral.
Spoiler alert: It’s not solely a matter of luck — it’s science.
Emotional Triggers Are Powerful
The emotional sweet spot is where a post will go viral. The content that gets us when it comes to shareability, is the kind that evokes a feeling — whether that feeling be joy, anger, surprise, awe, etc. Psychological studies show that emotionally stimulating content is more shareable.
For instance, consider the famed Ice Bucket Challenge. They weren’t participating for fun; they were inspired by the cause, and that emotional engagement drove high levels of participation. That blend of altruism and humor created a viral storm, and brought millions of dollars to research on ALS.
Crafting the Perfect Headline
The heading is read by 80 % of the people, the post is read by 20% of the people. Which is why the headline is all-important. It needs to interrupt scrolls and make people curious.
The key? Intrigue and urgency. Create a headline that suggests an unexpected outcome or raises a question. Buzzfeed had found the key to that with headlines such as, “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next…” or “This One Trick Will Change Your Life.”
Here’s the science: The “curiosity gap” — the difference between what the reader knows and what they would like to know — makes people click. Leave that gap, and they’ll have a hard time resisting.
Shareability Factor: As Easy As Possible to Spread
Ensure your content is easy to share. And by easy, we mean both on the cognitive and technological level. But when people discover something awesome, they shouldn’t have to spend time customizing it before sharing with a click. But how do you make sure it is shareable? By mastering the psychology that influences what people share.
One thing is for sure, humans are a social species. When they come across something that resonates with who they are, they tend to share it, acting as a beacon of their social status or give a sense of belongingness. Just study how memes go House on fire. They’re short, easily digestible and often have a social thread that makes others more likely to share.
Timing is Everything — The Right Article, at the Right Time
Did you know timing could the difference between a post’s success and failure? If you post at the wrong time, your post will be buried under a mountain of competing posts. Get your timing right on virality. It may be useful to know that posts that go live at a time when your audience is more engaging are far more likely to pick up.
And depending upon when your audience is most active (for example, if they’re usually on lunch hour or evening time after work), those are the golden hours. However, timing may differ depending on the platform, audience demographics, and even content type. Analyze your account, find the best time to post.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Short
One more surprising but research-supported trick? Simplicity is key. Audience attention spans are short and if your content is not easy or requires too much effort on the part of the user to understand, it is likely to go ignored.
Look at that viral potential of TikTok: 15 to 60-second videos are king on TikTok. Why? Because they provide just enough entertainment or value in a brief burst that the audience doesn’t lose interest. Sure, Long-form content can also go viral, but you must ensure your message is clear, concise and valuable.
The Influence of Influencers and Social Proof
Have you ever seen a post go viral as soon as it is shared by influencers or people who have some credibility? This is not magic — this is social proof at work. When influential people share something, their enormous following does the same thing, helping it go more viral and making it seem more credible.
For instance, Kylie Jenner posting about a brand on Instagram. One post from her can send sales or viral engagement soaring. I don’t want to be that content marketer who throws around the phrase “social proof,” but there are observations that you can’t ignore.
Viral Content That Got It Right: Real-Life Case Studies
Here’s a look at some of the best-known examples of viral content:
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: This campaign became an instant classic by hitting emotional triggers, being super easy to share and perfect timing. They needed to be part of something larger than themselves.”
But as many of you have probably come to the conclusion, the “Dolly Parton Challenge” on Instagram is not another ubiquitous social media test, but a challenge that went viral for its simplicity, relatability and shareability. The hashtag opened up the possibility for users to join and it had a carefree spirit to it, making it simple to play along.
Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”: Old Spice went viral with a funny, unexpected and timely campaign. The brand’s creative campaign, featuring imaginative storytelling, oddball characters, and sustained engagement with followers, demonstrated that creativity can beat virality.
Insider Secrets: What Experts Told Me about Going Viral
Jonah Berger, a professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvania, identifies six principles of why something goes viral: social currency, triggers, emotion, public, practical value and stories. His research found that emotionally charged content that activates people to consider or act on what they view will spread most quickly.
So here’s the call to action: Implement the Secret Formula NOW!
Well, now that you have the formula for viral content, it’s time to do something about it! The key to making any post go viral is already in your hands. It’s about emotional resonance, timing, simplicity, and above all, human connection. Use these principles, and see the new heights your content can achieve.
Don’t wait! Create your next post using these strategies and hit “publish” with confidence. The viral world is waiting for your content to take off!
