Going Viral: 4 Tips on How to Create Viral Content By Olwen van Dijk-Hildebrand

Let’s face it, getting the attention of your target audience isn’t easy in today’s marketing environment. 

The concept of viral content is a modern enigma. It might appear as though videos of singing babies or fascinating deep-dive profiles of Instagram influencers suddenly gain millions of views. When it comes to viral material, there is frequently an unexplainable element of luck and timing, but for the most part, it boils down to planning, thinking, and attention to detail.

Here are four tips to create content that goes viral:

1. Know your audience

Successful content is entirely dependent on your audience and how they respond to it. 

The first step to “virality” begins with your audience. Understand why your followers follow you, understand their background, then deliver posts that fulfill what they’re looking for. It’s hard to grow an audience without first establishing your brand and deciding the sort of follower you want to attract. Determine your desired niche or area of expertise, such as industry expert, social media maven, or brand influencer.

It’s hard to grow an audience without first establishing your brand and deciding the sort of follower you want to attract. Determine your desired niche or area of expertise, such as industry expert, social media maven, or brand influencer. 

2. Find a great hook

When it comes to social media, people want to know upfront what they’re looking at. 

People will see your title and choose whether or not to click through. Include precise and actionable information in your headline to make it more appealing. Use a statistic in your headline or inform people how many tips they will receive. 

People actively seek out information that guarantees a reaction because we know that if we respond, others will most likely react as well, ensuring that your shared content receives guaranteed views and likes.

3. Create content worth sharing

Another way to create viral content is to write content that people can relate to. Once you’ve captured the attention of your audience, you must deliver on the emotion or content promised in your hook.

People watch silly cat videos on the internet because they feel something when they watch them – a sense of levity in a chaotic world, a connection to a cherished pet, or just the opportunity to chuckle. The video of a cat about to pounce isn’t life-changing, deep, or even somewhat significant, but it does evoke emotion.

The most current trend in internet content is toward authenticity, which acts as an emotional hook in and of itself. After the audience complained that they didn’t want to see picture-perfect versions of life, the Influencers or content creators are now sharing about their hardships, life lessons, and day-to-day lifestyle. 

Their content is effective because people can connect with and relate to it, and they believe that others in their networks will as well. This is how content becomes popular: the creator understands what their audience wants to see and delivers it in a way that encourages the audience to share it.

4. Make it visual

The packaging of everything needs to be pretty, isn’t it? Can you imagine the value of video if a static image is worth a thousand words? 

Many industry professionals propose producing video content across social media networks to promote engagement lately. You might believe that making a viral video is risky, but there are a few things you can do to help your content take off. 

To begin, keep in mind that longer isn’t always better when it comes to videos. The majority of individuals use mobile devices to access social media. This indicates that people are probably on the go or multitasking while watching your video. The key to a good video is to quickly hook viewers with an engaging title or thumbnail image, and then to end the video before they are bored.

Bottomline

In today’s oversaturated digital market, making viral content is more difficult than ever. A great social media post requires a combination of attention to detail, planning, and chance. A solid hook, good content, and an awareness of what your audience wants to see are the three components of viral content. 

How you approach social media now should be an extension of yourself — an extension of who you are. Don’t try to be something or someone you’re not. Don’t try to hack the algorithm. Just show up as your true authentic self and watch what happens.