Viral content, despite its name, has nothing to do with little bugs that make people sick. In fact it is a very clever way of business using their websites or other sites to generate interest in their business or brand.
There are several ways of creating viral content, but the rules for it to be truly viral content are:
- The content (and the headings of the content) needs to be spreadable. In other words, people need to be so interested in the content that they will pass it or its link on to other users.
- It must pique the interest of the user reading or looking at the content.
- It must be connected to the service, product or brand of the company.
- It must in some way engage the target audience.
- Finally, it must be relevant.
Along with the rules for being viral content, there are also guidelines as to how to set viral content up correctly:
- Get the headlines right. It is important to have a catchy headline that will make people curious enough to want to go and look at the content.
- Try to find topics that are currently ‘hot’ topics of discussion and link into those.
- Because of its ‘entertainment’ value you need to pack as much information into as small a package as possible. Remember that users get bored easily and will leave as soon as that happens.
- Remember from your experience what works for your service or product or brand. It will be different for everybody, so build your own database.
- Keep the content as lean as possible. Where there are bits that can be cut out, cut them out.
- Make sure that there are many links in what you have written so that users can click on them and move on to other content.
- Find a way of making people aware of your content and its location.
When following these guidelines, always remember that you are catering for a specific audience that you want to convert into customers. Give them what they want and they will follow you.
