Today, we're talking "how to go VIRAL", and don't panic - this post will have nothing to do with CoVID-19.
So, what is Viral Marketing? Well, according to the very reputable Urban Dictionary, "going viral" refers to any image, video, or link that spreads rapidly through a population by being frequently shared with a number of individuals. Arguably the best way to reach new audiences at high speed!
So, how do you do it? There's no perfect formula to guarantee that your content will go viral, but there are some tips, tricks and statistics that can be a useful starting point. Luckily, we've had some extra time on our hands to dive deep into the internet to discover what you can do to increase your chances of going viral.
There's no hard and fast rule about which emotion your content should trigger, but triggering an emotion will be key for your content going viral. There's a good reason videos of hilarious kids, skateboarding fails, and troops coming home all go viral; they might make you laugh, they might make you cringe, or they might make you cry, but whatever the case - you're feeling something. When someone tags you in a post today or shares a video with you, think about how that content makes you feel and consider how you might apply the same emotion to your own content.
2. Leverage Partners:
This one takes some legwork, but finding a community of other content marketers with a similar audience to you and partnering with them is a great way to target new audiences who you know will love your content. Try doing a joint giveaway on social media - where you and your partners all work together to promote each other. Many of the most popular accounts use this technique to pull each other up, and while it may seem counter-intuitive to work with your competition, this technique can be extremely valuable.
3. Target The Right Audience & Channels
Knowing your audience and understanding how they use each platform is key for going viral. Instagram users love their memes, but videos seem to fair much better on Facebook. Consider the platform, then think about what the users on that platform are looking for. This may require creating multiple iterations of your content to best suit each platform, but the hard work will pay off!
4. Use Video
Without using video it is extremely difficult to go viral - and this all ties back to emotion. While a meme or photo may make you laugh, you're likely to feel more when watching a video. In addition, since video is more expensive and more time consuming to create, fewer content marketers are doing it! The more you are able to make your content stand out, the better - so don't pass up the opportunity to educate or entertain with video.
5. Enable Sharing & Embedding
This one may seem like a no brainer, but it's the most important on the list. Make sure you enable content sharing and embedding with every single thing you post; because without it, going viral is quite literally impossible. Going viral depends on consumers ability to send your post to others who may like it, so make sure they are able to do that!
6. Make Your Content Interactive
Lastly, where possible, make your content interactive. Buzzfeed may just be the reigning champions of creating interactive content, and their posts are some of the most viral on the internet. If you're able to create a quiz or survey that may entertain or inform your customer base - DO! Users are far more likely to click, engage and share your content if you can.
Have you ever had your content go viral? We'd love to hear how you did it, or if you've got any tips and tricks to share with the Cloud Campaign community! And as always, if you're interested in chatting with our team about how Cloud Campaign can help you manage your marketing reach out to our team on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn!
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