Listen to this article
The word “viral” is a word that people didn’t get at first in the realm of the internet. However, with more campaigns hitting the right emotional drum and causing us to understand more about the concept of virality, marketers are tending to pay more attention to that word and what it has to mean.
Viral is to spread with inspiration. Like a virus, it is fast, rapid, quick, inspiring, you name it. Content doesn’t go viral by accident. Yes, luck contributes a bit. However, there is art and science mixed together behind what makes people click that certain “share button.” Now if you want to create something that goes viral and allows people to think “oh this is so me,” then this is the guide for you.
Relatability: The Secret Sauce
When you’re creating content that is relatable, in order to succeed, you have to wear that exact shoe your audience once wore. You know that last time you shared a meme for relating to it? It wasn’t for the fanciness or uniqueness of it, but for the relativity you felt when you saw it. The reason why relatable content works is because it has that ability to bridge the gap between a certain brand and its audience.
It simply brings you home. Makes you feel a sense of belonging. And believe me when I say that scientists proved how there is no feeling like that one to make a strong connection. Relatable content is shared by many because it feels like a mirror of someone’s experience. That is why when your campaign tends to feel personal, you’ll find it spreading like a wildfire.
Emotional Marketing: Stirring Hearts and Feeds
The beating heart of virality is that little thing called emotions. We humans are not wired to have statistics appeal enough for us to share them instead of feelings. Whether it’s laughter, nostalgia, joy, surprise, or even sadness, content that moves audiences and gets an emotional reaction out of them has a much higher chance of spreading faster than lava. Long story short? Make it relatable for your content to actually count.
Make People Feel the Content
You might be surprised to learn that sensory marketing plays a huge contributing factor in virality. Visuals, sounds, and textures. All three are elements that help people imagine themselves inside your content. A food product ad is not just about the product. It’s about the smoothness of how it spreads on toast in the case of butter, chocolate, or even labneh.
It’s the hearing of the crunch, the steam you witness coming out of the pot, and that visual that makes you almost swear you can actually taste it. That kind of sensory activation is what makes you content and irresistible.
The Viral Content Checklist
If you’re aiming to create content that spreads like an internet virus (in the good sense), here are some must-have tips to be implemented:
- Humor: A clever twist or joke makes content instantly shareable. You know those trendy memes from series that we love? Use them with your own brand’s voice. People will relate, love it, and share it.
- Emotion: Joy, sadness, or even outrage. All kinds of feelings will surely drive action.
- Relatability: Content should feel like it was made for your audience. It should be addressing them individually, talking to them on a personal basis.
- Simplicity: Easy-to-digest or minimized content is more likely to be shared. Make it short but make it count.
- Visual Impact: Striking imagery or design grabs attention fast. That is why integrating visuals that are catchy is a very important element of success.
- Surprise Factor: Unexpected elements make people pause and share. Take something of a certain context and create a plot twist out of it. Shock people; cause them to be surprised and I guarantee you that you’ll thrive.
The Fun Factor: Why Is It Necessary?
Meaningful messages that spark sadness are often as respected as ever. However, the rule of virality is something that sometimes depends on lightening the mood. The world is filled with so many conflicts. And for that reason, when your brand puts a smile on a spectator, you’ll find that your brand is living rent-free in their heads. Sharing something that brings joy is more of a digital chain reaction because one laugh could turn into thousands when the content is clever enough to be passed along.
Campaigns That Went Viral
Remember that Sprite campaign that featured two lemons, a green one and a yellow one? Because I do… And I remember how everyone was raving over Sprite and how they all of a sudden “preferred” it over 7Up. Just because of how funny and creative those ads were. Another campaign that stuck with us was the global version of snickers “you’re not you when you’re hungry.” These campaigns were here to stay. To certainly engrave their own footprint in our hearts with their humor and creative approach.
Wrapping It Up
Virality is neither magic nor accident. It is a strategy. One that is mixed with creativity. When you implement it with a bit of emotional storytelling, sensory triggers, and relatable messaging, you will give your content a golden opportunity to be the next big name in the current market. And yes, it’s undeniable that you cannot always guarantee that your content will go viral. However, you can always create the strategy that will put you in the right circumstances that allow the odds to ever be in your favor.
