How to Make Content Go Viral

How to Make Content Go Viral


The concept of viral marketing is nearly as old as the internet itself. The idea is that, much like a computer or biological virus, viral content can “infect” users and make them more likely to pass it on to multiple other users. Those users in turn pass the content on to even more users, and pretty soon the content is all over the internet.

Large corporations with big advertising budgets have seen the value of viral marketing. Many have put a great deal of money into creating funny, controversial or engaging content and getting it started on a viral path. But plenty of average internet users have created viral videos, graphics and blog posts. So for small business owners, going viral is certainly attainable.

Some things do go viral completely by chance. But there are certain steps you can take to help your content go viral. Here are a few pointers.

1. Plan your content carefully. You don’t need the fanciest equipment or the most sought-after writers to have content that is worthy of going viral. But you do need to know who your target market is, how you can best speak to them, and what it is you want them to do. If you don’t address these things to some degree in your content, there’s no point in trying to go viral in the first place.

2. Consider doing a series, either of articles, videos, presentations or podcasts. Content that is frequently updated is more likely to go viral than a single item. And those who see one piece of content can easily find more, giving you multiple chances to make an impression.

3. Keep quality at the forefront. Avoid misspellings, bad grammar and poor execution.

4. Leverage your social network. Add your content (or links to your content) to your Facebook page, Twitter posts, blog posts, and any other social networks to which you belong. If you don’t already have a social network, however, don’t just create one and start promoting your viral content from the get-go. You need to get active on any given site first, and promote other interesting content without an agenda, before you go promoting your own.

5. Join forums that attract members of your target audience. Make friends and share your expertise without trying to do any overt marketing. Most forums will allow you to add links to your signature line, and if you contribute regularly to the discussions, other members will click on those links to learn more about you and what you have to offer.

Getting content to go viral takes some work in the beginning. However, once it’s started, it’s rather self-perpetuating. Continue creating content to capitalize on the previous content’s popularity, and prepare yourself for the flood of new prospects coming your way.