6 Steps To Viral Content

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

When “Viral” is associated with “Content,” online marketers take notice.

Why?

Because viral content spreads faster than wildfire on a drought-stricken prairie, and it can build backlinks in a very short amount of time with little effort on your part.

Why is that a good thing?

Because backlinks can send traffic directly to your site and give your site a boost in the search engine rankings – both of which help you to attract more visitors.

Stuff doesn’t go viral on the Internet as often as you might think – but when it does, it’s worth analyzing for clues: What is it about that particular piece of content that make it so popular? Figuring that out is the key to crazy online success.

Here are 6 steps to get you started:

Lead With Outstanding Value. 
 Under promise and over-deliver. The key to any online marketing is creating valuable content that will prove invaluable to your readership. Do this well enough, and your content could go viral. By going “above and beyond the call of duty,” you can increase the number of times your content gets shared. Think of it this way – which one appeals more to you: The Top 10 Best Movies of 2012 or the Top 100 Best Movies of 2012? Get it?

What’s Trending? 
  When you notice that something is trending – whether it’s a controversial news story or an entertaining video, you can get first movers advantage and use the trending copy to draw attention your way. Your readers will be more likely to share your content – particularly if you’re one of the first movers – and that will result in more backlinks and traffic. You may also find that Google gives you a friendly nod for fresh and relevant content.

3rd Party Verification.
  When someone in your industry acknowledges your work, it can add its own kind of power to your content and could help make your content go viral. Start by building relationships with the leaders whose endorsements you want to earn. Once published, show your best piece of content to these leaders and ask if they’d be willing to share your content with their followers. They may not agree – but if only one does, it can mean lots of traffic and can possibly turn your content viral.

Be Absurd. 
 Some of the most shared viral videos involve absurd characters, like the honey badger . Coming up with your own crazy character could help you to see a substantial increase in shares and traffic, but be careful: It’s not easy creating a charming new character to woo your online audience, and a failure (or two) could do way more harm than good.

Say It. Hear It. Sound Bites.  My kids went crazy over the Chuck Testa videos on YouTube. Chuck Testa is a taxidermist in Ojai Valley, California and the catchphrase in his videos was, “Nope! Chuck Testa.” Effective advertising (think: “Will It Blend?” or “HeadOn. Apply Directly To The Forehead” can go viral because it sounds catchy.

Read your headline or opening paragraph out loud and ask yourself:  Would you want to learn more based on this small “bite” of information? If not, try try again until your copy “sounds” good enough that people will want to share it.

Use Infographics.  For big shares, use infographics. Infographics (engaging graphics instead of plain copy) are more readily shared because most of us think in pictures, so it feels more natural. Look for recent studies you can mine data from or find new and creative ways to combine data. Check out Jordan Koene’s Star Wars Infographic as an example of information, engagingly displayed, that was put together in a way that had never been done before.  The result?  It’s a hit.

While any one of these tips, put to good use, can improve the odds of getting your content to go viral, there are no guarantees. Still, if you’re using these tips to engage your readership, while you might not get the viral results that you’re looking for, you’re sure to see an improvement in your personal business growth. “You can’t get to the moon unless you shoot for the stars.”

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