What Makes A Social Media Marketing Campaign Go Viral?
Everyone is on social media these days. From Facebook and Instagram to Twitter and TikTok, it’s hard not to find someone engaged online too much. But what is the key to a truly viral social media campaign? What makes some posts blow up with shares, likes, and comments while others just fizzle away?
Then picture this: you post a piece of content, and within hours millions of individuals have viewed it. And then? Individuals are sharing it with their friends, family members or coworkers. The message spreads far and wide, reaching more people than you might ever imagine. This is the power of an effective viral social media strategy.
At WireTree in Toronto, we understand what makes content go viral. While there’s no magic button to guarantee virality, there are certain strategies and techniques that can increase your chances significantly. Let’s dive into what really makes a campaign go viral, and how you can make sure your content is the next big thing on social media.
Emotional Connection: The Heart of Virality
One of the reasons why content goes viral is because it can be highly emotional. Whether it’s because the audience suddenly finds themselves laughing, surprised or in a joyful mood. Then they are in an emotional state, and at such times people share content.
This is because emotions keep people tied together. When a person truly feels something deep down inside, he is more likely to have it with others so as soon as possible.
Last time you saw a viral video, it probably made you laugh or touched your heart somewhere with its emotional state. The emotional connection to the content is what makes it memorable.
So when planning a social media campaign, concentrate on making content that resonates with your audience on an emotional level.
This is about spun stories that touch people’s hearts, whether they are touching, humorous or inspirational. Anything with real emotions will get read. This is why viral campaigns often feature moments that seem completely unexpected or even touching.
Storytelling: Craft a Narrative People Can Relate To
Human beings have always made to tell stories. From the old days around a campfire to any one of the myriad of digital options these days, there really is no stopping it. Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways people communicate.
Through storytelling, you can attract peaple’s attraction and keep them interested in your content rather than leaving before reading it. So it seems that stories are a way to attract people toward you than just fishing for Likes or clicks.
If your story is written in such a way that it draws the audience in, you deliver a sustained sense of great satisfaction to your readers; they won’t forget this experience easily. Great storytelling makes people feel the company is their company, too. It’s more than just shilling a product–it’s about getting your audience to feel that they are on board with your brand.
Simplicity and Clarity: Keep It Straightforward
In the world of social media, attention spans are short. With millions of posts flooding people’s feeds every minute, it’s crucial that your message stands out and is easy to understand. Simplicity is key.
A viral post is often one that conveys a clear, straightforward message. You want your audience to instantly understand what you’re trying to say or do. If your message is too complex or unclear, it’ll get ignored.
Focus on one idea per post. Instead of trying to communicate multiple points, choose one strong, impactful message. Visuals like images, videos, and infographics can help make your message even clearer. Remember, the simpler and more straightforward your content is, the more likely it is to be shared.
Timing: Know When to Post
In social media marketing, timing really is key. You need to say something at the time when your audience is online and active, or it will be buried before they even have a chance to look at it. Figuring out when your audience is on line is the key to going viral. It is essential to get the most views and your audience is most active right.
Find out when people have open ears from previous posts, tweets or status updates. There are tools available for social media analytics that can help you. You should also have an idea of what’s currently on trend or in the news. When something is hot it can be worth tying your content in with it. This will greatly enhance the odds of your post being picked up and shared.
Relevance: Make Your Content Matter
Relevance is another key factor in virality. If your content isn’t relevant to your audience, it won’t get shared. You need to know your audience well and understand what matters to them.
Stay updated with current events and trends that your audience cares about. When you create content that is aligned with these interests, you increase the likelihood that your followers will engage with and share it. The more your content resonates with your audience, the more likely it is to go viral.
Humour: Lighten the Mood
Humor is a powerful weapon in social media. When done right, it makes your content more relatable and shareable. People love to share things that make them laugh. Wise up humour-adding writing can improve followers ‘engagement with your posts vastly!
However, You would be well advised to consider your audience. Make sure a joke fits in with both your own brand essence and the tastes of followers. Forced humour or off-colour jokes can bring backlash, so be yourself always and stay true to your brand’s voice. Memes and topical gags are perfect for reaching out to younger audiences.
Call to Action: Encourage Sharing
Sometimes, all you need is to ask. A simple call to action (CTA) may give your audience a cue to take next step, like sharing your post or tagging. With a good CTA, you could also make something viral enough that it
Your chances of going viral greatly improve with a remarked CTA. For example, getting people to interact.
Keep things brief and to the point with your CTAs. For example, phrases like “Share this with your friends!”, and “Tag someone who needs to see this! ” Creating a sense of urgency can also prompt immediate action with words like “now” or “Limited Time Offer.” But what of real hands-on use? Giving a small incentive, such as a raffle, can encourage people to share even more widely.
Conclusion: Make Your Content Stand Out
Viral content isn’t made by chance. It’s a matter of strategy. Focusing on emotional connections, if you tell an awe-forcing story, keep your message concise and post at just the right time–and know your audience, then you’ve got a better shot at generating viral content in social media.
At WireTree, we specialize in helping businesses create impactful campaigns that engage, excite, and get results. So tell us. What are you waiting for? We’ve got the skills to take your brand to heights you never thought possible.
Ready to go viral? Let WireTree give you access to the next big social media sensation!
