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Why do some posts on Facebook seem to go instantly viral while others, no matter how well-written, barely register? It’s kind of an internet mystery — but the truth is, going viral isn’t random magic. It’s about knowing a secret recipe that the vast majority don’t.”
Let’s get into it and see how you can crack the code for Facebook virility (and no, it’s not what you might think).
Secret formula: Create a strong emotional engagement
Viral writing on Facebook is often about the content itself: the visuals, the headlines, the hashtags. These things are all important, but the real secret to virality is emotional engagement. Facebook’s algorithm, the reasoning goes, is designed to flag posts that elicit strong reactions — whether those are feelings of joy, surprise, anger or even sadness. The more you play on the emotions of the reader, the more shares and comments your post will attract — and its reach will increase exponentially.
Scientific Basis: Why Emotions Matter
Research has found that emotionally charged content is significantly more likely to get shared. The New York Times study found that posts that make you feel something are shared over 30% more than neutral posts. This is also why viral content isn’t necessarily “perfectly curated” or “aesthetically pleasing” – it just has to feel raw, authentic, and intimately relatable. Consider those viral videos of people assisting others or feel-good animal rescue tales. They appeal to the heart, so that we feel the urge to share them with friends.
Do Content That Sparks An Emotional Response
If you want to go stepwise on Facebook, use content with a strong emotional response. Here are some best practices to help you get started:
Tell a story people can identify with
And humans are hardwired to respond to stories. In fact, storytelling is one of the most powerful tools of emotional reaction. Telling a personal or inspirational story in a post creates an emotional connection that inspires other people to share.
Human: Only part of the feedback mechanism do recesses capture. The page features quick, tear-jerking stories of people from every background. And every single post is relatable, authentic, and resonates as a universal human experience. This helps develop a rapport with followers, who are then excited to spread the stories to their own networks.
Make It Fun (But Not Overspiced)
Make Its Humor Its strongest religious emotion. Posts that make others laugh: Laughter is very shareable — especially if it’s a relatable experience or common annoyance. The trick is to make it relevant. Any inside jokes or references that just your niche audience will understand won’t gain the traction you’re looking for.
Advice: Social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk believes humor is best when done strategically and used to create a relationship with your audience. “If you can make someone laugh and connect with them emotionally,” he says, “you’ve already done half the work of going viral.”
Pose Provocative Questions
Sometimes, all it takes is a question that prompts reflection or invites a discussion. The Facebook algorithm rewards posts that prompt comments and discussion. Ask engaging questions that encourage your audience to speak their own opinions, thoughts, or experiences.
For instance: A post that sounds like this, “If you had $1 million right now, what would your next steps be?” can elicit a variety of reactions. This does not only create some engagement, but also push the conversation ahead, raising the chances of virality.
Stay in the Spotlight: Post Several Times a Day
To give them a fair shot at going viral, you have to remain visible. That means keeping posting consistently. The more you put out there, the better the chances that you’ll hit on some emotional trigger that inspires that viral reaction. This isn’t a post-and-forget job — you need to engage with your audience, respond to comments, post more of what works.
Use Trends, But Put Your Unique Spin On It
You can jump on viral trends to enhance your chances of going viral. But you also really need to put your own twist on it. Don’t be the sheep that follow the herd – make the trend your own with a personal or brand spin. This is what makes your content unique and, therefore, more likely to go viral.
Case study: Dollar Shave Club used a viral video to hit upon a trendy pop meme with a twist. The video was a tongue-in-cheek take on the generic corporate advertising we see all the time, but, more importantly, it was funny, authentic, and relatable — three qualities we cherish in content. They were getting millions of views off this and growing exponentially.
Make the Most out of FB’s Tools
Emotional engagement is key, but don’t forget about Facebook’s algorithm. Use all the tools of the platform, like Facebook Live, Stories and Groups, to maximize your reach.
- Facebook Live: The greatest advantage of going live is that it will boost the reach of your video. Live videos appear more prominently in users’ feeds, so consider going live to share something topical or show followers behind the scenes of your brand.
- Facebook Stories: Stories are the easiest way to catch your audience’s attention in a few slides. They’re meant for short, snappy content that seems more real and less produced, which can dress a more honest engagement.
- Facebook groups: Participate or start a Facebook group related to your niche. Groups are great for establishing emotional ties and conversations that may lead into your post sharing.
Track Your Results and Adjust
After applying these strategies, note the results you are getting. Analytics: Facebook has tons of analytics tools that can help you see which posts generate the most engagement. Check the metrics — shares, comments and reactions — to understand what kinds of posts work for your audience.
Tip: You can also A/B test to refine your approach. Post different variations of the same content and see which format or emotion causes more engagement.
Ready to Go Viral?
You’ve just discovered the key to going viral on Facebook — it’s not about posting random content or waiting on something to just “happen.” It’s about focusing on doing emotionally attractive content that connects at a deeper level with your audience. Let the power of storytelling, humor and real connections drive reactions, then harness Facebook’s tools to expand your reach.
Now it’s your turn! You are not here to read about how Facebook works, you are here to create content that hits them hard with emotion and that you your following will skyrocket. So, what are you waiting for, start playing with the viral formula today and experience it for yourself!
