Going viral and getting your content seen by millions is the dream for many creators and brands. With so much competition and noise online, breaking through can feel impossible. But it is achievable with the right strategy and some luck. Here we’ll explore proven tactics that increase your chances of creating a viral hit and sustaining that spotlight.
What Does “Going Viral” Mean?
Going viral means having your content shared rapidly and widely across the internet. This could be a video, image, tweet, meme, or any piece of media that spreads through social networks and messaging apps.
Viral content seems to explode in popularity, often gaining tens or hundreds of thousands of views or interactions within a short timeframe. It taps into what’s collectively capturing people’s attention at the moment.
The hoped-for result is a surge of visitors, followers, and engagement. A viral hit can elevate online creators to fame and greatly raise a brand’s profile. But virality tends to be short-lived, so you need strategies to extend your 15 minutes of fame.
Why Does Content Go Viral?
Virality is difficult to predict and engineer. But viral content often displays some of these qualities:
- Extremely funny, surprising, shocking, curious, or thought-provoking
- Highly relatable and timely topics people connect with
- Evokes strong emotions like joy, outrage, hope, or fear
- Easy to digest and share in a short format like a photo or video clip
- Taps into pop culture, news events, or memes
- Features famous people, brands, or characters
- Has an element of mystery, suspense, or controversy
- Encourages participation through challenges or questions
The most viral content elicits an instant reaction like laughter or awe and makes people want to share with others right away.
How to Make Your Content More Viral
While you can’t guarantee anything goes viral, you can strategically increase your chances. Consider these tips:
Study Current Trends
Pay close attention to what’s hot right now on social media and in the news. Make content that ties into trends and topics going viral at the moment. But give it your unique spin.
Hook Viewers Right Away
The first 3 seconds are critical. Use headlines, thumbnails, introductions, and visuals that immediately grab attention and make people want to watch or read more.
Use Video & Images
Photos and videos tend to get more social engagement than text alone. Plan content that translates well into dynamic visual formats.
Keep It Short
Long form content has lower chances of going viral. Stick to brief, snackable content under a minute if possible. You can always link to more.
Use Emotional Triggers
Make content that taps strongly into emotions like amusement, inspiration, shock, outrage, pride, or curiosity. This fuels shares.
Encourage Interaction
Ask questions, run polls and contests, issue challenges, or create shareable memes. This gets the audience involved.
Optimize for Sharing
Make it ultra easy for people to share your content on social media or via links. Add share buttons and write strong headlines.
Promote Far & Wide
Leverage owned channels, influencer marketing, interest groups, and paid ads to promote beyond just your core audience. More exposure increases chances of a viral hit.
Use the ‘Rule of 3’ for Engagement
People retain information best in threes. Structure content using three key messages, three tips, three reasons, three steps, or three points.
Feature Influencers or Celebrities
Collaborate with a social media influencer or celebrity with a large, viral-ready following in your niche. Their brand power boosts your potential reach.
Make it Relatable
Viral content tends to focus on universal human experiences, thoughts, hopes, and habits. Make your stories and messages resonate broadly.
Highlight Controversy or Debate
Controversial, debate-sparking content spreads as people argue over polarized opinions and disinformation. Handle carefully.
Tap Into FOMO
FOMO (fear of missing out) is a strong motivator to share something. Make content that makes people feel they need to stay current.
| Content Format | Virality Potential |
|---|---|
| Short video (under 60 seconds) | High |
| Photo or meme | High |
| Listicle or top 10 article | Moderate |
| Infographic | Moderate |
| Long form content (over 10 minutes) | Low |
| Research study or report | Low |
This table compares virality potential for different content formats, with short snackable content having the highest chance of going viral.
Leverage Your Viral Momentum
A viral hit likely won’t sustain momentum forever. But you can maximize this short window of massive attention.
Point Traffic to Your Own Channels
Embed links to your website, online profiles, email list signup, etc. so you own the relationship with new followers.
Promote Related Content
Suggest more of your content to binge on while you have a primed audience. Upload videos or articles to continue the story.
Launch Contests, Quizzes, or Live Events
Double down on engagement with special interactive experiences ideal for a highly engaged audience.
Add a Strong Call to Action
Prompt viewers to subscribe, register, signup, buy, donate, vote, enter, etc. Convert passive attention into measurable actions.
Issue Press Releases
Getting media coverage can sustain momentum. Send press releases about your viral content to relevant journalists, bloggers, and influencers.
Sell Merchandise
Monetize virality with special limited edition t-shirts, mugs, or other merch related to your viral content.
Collaborate with Brands
Work with brands that want to partner with creators behind viral hits. But maintain creative integrity.
In summary, virality is hard to predict. But you can boost your chances by making highly shareable content on hot topics, optimizing for social, and tapping into human emotions and behaviors. Always be prepared to capitalize on a viral spark before it fades to sustain your spotlight.
Conclusion
Viral fame promises massive but fleeting attention. By understanding what fuels virality and optimizing content for maximum shareability, creators can improve their chances of having a viral hit. But enduring fame requires consistently producing engaging content, building a loyal audience over time, and leveraging any viral moments strategically to promote your brand. With the right viral launch strategy, creative vision, and patient growth, it’s possible to capture lightning in a bottle and extend your time in the spotlight.