Amplify Your Content: Going Viral on Social Media

Just a few years ago, when you mention the word viral, it means you’re talking about an epidemic, and that you should be very careful not to catch it. These days however, when you say viral, it pertains to something you have to get. It’s because that “viral something” is the current online trend, and in you’re not aware of it, then you’d be so outdated.

Becoming viral is something brands strive to get especially when they are already on social media. This is because the viral factor takes their name and business to different places, reach out to new markets, and find more fans that you can convert into loyal customers.

Social Media vs. SEO Landscapes

Going viral on social media is quite different than that on SEO, and this is practically because you have a more targeted audience base. You’re exposing your content on people who are on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, and these users will be the ones to spread your updates to their own networks. The process of becoming viral is more dynamic, as compared to that in SEO when you have to take the extra effort to spread your stuff in different avenues-from blogs to forums to ads.

But while you have narrowed down audience in social media, becoming viral can still be a difficult task to fulfill. Hence, it’s important that you know the tips and tricks in creating a buzz for your content, as once you go viral, the loyal fan following will start knocking your door naturally.

The Text + Image Formula

Probably one of the best ways to make your content viral on social media is by combining both text and images. This is because your audiences are not voracious readers-they are more after the eye candy.

What you can do here is to get a short yet sweet quote that relates to your brand’s voice, then match it with an equally representative photo. This works best on celebrity quotations, short jokes, and words of wisdom that fans may take inspiration from.

Emo Stories

Emo stories are longer write-ups that tend to capture the hearts of your audiences. While they defy the KISS (keep it short and sweet) principle, they tend to be effective especially when they were able to make your audiences feel good, laugh or cry.

When posting an emo story, make sure that you will pair it with a photo that represents its main topic, as this will add more life to your post and fans will likewise spread this it like wildfire.

Ask a Question

Power questions can also make your content go viral. When asking questions, it’s important that you target the interests of your audiences, as they will not only answer your query, but as well spread it to their friends. (Works much more effective if you add some giveaway prize to those who give the best answers!)

Contests

Of course, who would leave out contests in this article? If you want your brand to definitely go viral, then you should give your audience some bait for them to get. Holding a contest with a really tempting prize can change the course of your brand’s social media presence, as your fans will do what it takes in order to win.

It is in contests where you can do that shameless plugging to your audiences, like asking them to share your current contest to their own contact networks. This works even better when you offer something that they’ve been dying to have (e.g. a new iPhone 4S, perhaps).

You don’t have to carry a big name in order for your brand to go viral; all it takes is a good strategy in attacking your audiences’ needs and wants. That way, your fans become more motivated to pay it forward and spread the buzz about your brand.