In this social media era, where information is widely and quickly shared, many businesses, marketers, and content creators strive to create viral content. But what exactly makes content viral? What makes people want to share resources?
Understanding the science of why people share content can help you create messages that captivate your target audiences and make them want to share with others. The following post breaks down the key ingredients that can make your content go viral.
The Emotional Connection
Emotion is one of the key drivers of viral content. Information that elicits intense emotions, negative or positive, often gets shared than more mundane or neutral ideas.
Research shows that materials that evokes intense emotions like amusement, fear, anger, or awe is far more likely to be shared and hence go viral. Consider the last material you shared. Did you find it funny? Did it motivate you? Did it leave you wanting more? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you were probably not alone in feeling that way.
- Hilarious publications: Humorous videos, witty tweets, and funny memes spread fast because we love laughing together;
- Awe-inspiring content: Tales of extraordinary achievements, mind-blowing scientific discoveries, and unbelievable landscapes quench our thirst for wonder;
- Anger and outrage: Injustices, political scandals, or controversial news often trigger debate and drive people to share so they can express their views.
While outrage and anger may encourage sharing, research shows that positive emotions, especially admiration, inspiration, and joy drive viral ideas even better. Comparable to the high of winning big at Vulkan Bet kasyno. People like sharing inspiring stories that give them a good feeling and help others experience the same.
Social Currency
People tend to project a certain image. Whether as socially aware, insightful, funny, or knowledgeable, the information people share often reflects how they want to be perceived by others. This concept is called social currency—the act of sharing things that show us in a positive light.
That’s why people tend to share thought-provoking posts, cutting-edge news, or insightful comments. They want to align themselves with valuable details to leverage social currency:
- Create exclusive themes: If you create content to offer a fresh viewpoint, breaking news, or insider knowledge, people are likely to share it because it showcases their expertise;
- Provide unique insights: We all love sharing something that makes us appear ahead of the curve or well-informed;
- Leverage values and identity: Providing ideas that are in sync with someone’s identity or values (e.g. entrepreneurship, fitness, or sustainability) increases its chances of being shared and going viral.
The Power of Storytelling
Stories are powerful since they elicit emotions. To create stories that evoke emotions, focus on humanity. Share personal challenges, triumphs, and experiences that resonate with your audience. Use emotional triggers like humor, inspiration, and empathy to bond deeper with your audience. Consider your story’s emotional journey. Create a compelling introduction where the reader is hooked. Build up the challenge or tension to keep your audience engaged. Finish with a satisfying end that reinforces your message and gives some form of closure. This emotional curve helps create an impactful and memorable story.
Timing and Trends
Timing plays a critical role if you’re looking for ways to go viral. Keeping abreast of current trends and events can increase the likelihood of your content being shared and, therefore, going viral. Making the most of popular cultural moments or topics lets your information be more timely and relevant, enhancing the prospects of shares.
Visual Appeal
In our content-filled lives, visuals play a vital role in catching the eye. Attention-grabbing images, graphics, and videos can significantly enhance the potential for shares. Using high-quality visuals, compelling designs, and vibrant colors can improve your content’s appeal and make it more likely to be shared.
Engagement and Interactivity
Creating ideas that encourages active participation can enhance its shareability. Interactive videos like challenges, polls, and quizzes encourages people to directly engage with it. When people interact and engage with each other, they create a strong bond with your themes and will more likely share their experiences or results.
Another effective method to encourage active participation is user-generated content (UGC). Inviting users to share their opinions, stories, or photos associated with your info fosters a sense of ownership and community. Adding UGC to your campaigns creates social proof and encourages more people to be part of it and share.
Is Your Content Shareable?
Creating shareable and potentially viral content is a science as well as an art form. Once you understand what makes people want to share information, you can craft ideas that deeply resonate with your target audience. Done correctly, you can achieve tremendous results for your business for a fraction of the cost.
Remember, genuine connection and authenticity are vital in content-sharing. Try different ways, evaluate what works best, and always refine your strategy. That way, you’ll be closer to unlocking and leveraging the secrets of going viral.
