Let’s dive into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to creating viral content.

What Works in Creating Viral Content

1. Understanding Your Audience

At the heart of every viral post is a clear understanding of the audience. What makes them laugh? What inspires them? What problems do they face? By tapping into their emotions and interests, you create content that resonates deeply.

For example, a fitness brand targeting young professionals might create a humorous reel showing “10 Stages of Waking Up for a 6 AM Workout,” tapping into their audience’s daily struggles and sparking relatability.

Key Tip: Use tools like surveys, social media polls, or analytics to understand what your audience likes and engages with most.

2. Leveraging Emotions

Emotional content is the backbone of virality. Posts that evoke laughter, awe, surprise, or even anger tend to get shared more. People want to connect with and share emotions, so crafting content that stirs feelings can greatly increase its chances of being shared.

Take Dove’s famous Real Beauty Sketches campaign, which struck a chord with its focus on self-esteem and body image, resonating emotionally with millions worldwide.

Key Tip: Focus on storytelling techniques that evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impression.

3. Adding a Unique Twist

To stand out in a sea of content, your post needs a unique twist. This could be an unexpected perspective, an innovative visual style, or a quirky take on a trending topic. Viral content often reimagines everyday ideas in a way that’s fresh and surprising.

For instance, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge became a viral phenomenon because it combined a good cause with a fun, unexpected activity that encouraged mass participation.

Key Tip: Experiment with out-of-the-box ideas and don’t be afraid to take creative risks.

4. Using High-Quality Visuals

In the digital age, first impressions matter. Poorly designed visuals or low-resolution videos are less likely to gain traction. On the other hand, high-quality images, professional editing, and eye-catching designs immediately grab attention.

Think about the success of brands like GoPro or Red Bull, which consistently produce stunning, action-packed visuals that captivate audiences.

Key Tip: Invest in tools like Canva, Adobe Premiere, or professional-grade cameras to enhance the quality of your content.

5. Timing is Everything

Timing plays a crucial role in virality. Jumping on trending topics or aligning content with current events gives your post a better chance of being shared widely. Social media thrives on relevance—posts that are timely often gain traction faster.

For example, brands that create memes during the Super Bowl or tap into holiday seasons often enjoy higher engagement rates.

Key Tip: Monitor trends on platforms like Twitter’s Trending tab or Google Trends to spot opportunities for timely content.

6. Encouraging User Participation

Content that encourages people to take action—whether by participating in a challenge, commenting, or sharing—is more likely to go viral. Interactive posts or campaigns involving user-generated content increase audience involvement and boost visibility.

Think of the success of the “#ShareACoke” campaign, where Coca-Cola invited customers to find bottles with their names and share photos online.

Key Tip: Add calls-to-action that inspire your audience to get involved.

What Doesn’t Work in Creating Viral Content

1. Chasing Virality Without Purpose

Content created solely to “go viral” often lacks authenticity. People can easily spot forced attempts, and such content rarely resonates. Instead of chasing virality, focus on creating value-driven content that aligns with your brand’s message.

For example, a random dance video from a finance company might confuse audiences and dilute brand identity.

Key Tip: Ensure your content stays true to your brand values and audience expectations.

2. Overloading Content with Marketing Messages

Audiences are quick to dismiss content that feels overly promotional. While brand awareness is important, viral content works best when it provides entertainment, inspiration, or value first. If it feels like an advertisement, people are less likely to share it.

For instance, a beauty brand sharing an emotional story about self-confidence is more effective than a post screaming, “Buy our products now!”

Key Tip: Make the story or value the focus, and let the product placement be subtle and organic.

3. Ignoring Platform-Specific Trends

Posting the same type of content across platforms can be a major misstep. Each social media platform has its own culture, audience preferences, and content format. Failing to adapt can lead to missed opportunities.

For instance, long-form educational videos might work well on YouTube but fall flat on TikTok, where short, snappy content thrives.

Key Tip: Tailor your content to the platform you’re using to maximise its impact.

4. Posting Without a Distribution Strategy

Even the best content can go unnoticed without the right distribution strategy. Posting at the wrong time or failing to amplify content through ads, influencers, or collaborations limits its reach and potential to go viral.

Key Tip: Schedule posts strategically and use tools like paid ads or influencer partnerships to boost visibility.

5. Neglecting to Engage with the Audience

Virality often hinges on engagement. Brands that fail to respond to comments, share user-generated content, or interact with their audience miss out on opportunities to sustain momentum.

Key Tip: Engage with your audience actively to keep the conversation alive and encourage more shares.

Final Thoughts

Creating viral content isn’t an exact science — it’s a mix of creativity, timing and understanding your audience. While not every post will become an internet sensation, consistently focusing on what works and avoiding common pitfalls can significantly improve your chances.

Remember, going viral is just one piece of the puzzle. The ultimate goal is to create content that builds long-term relationships with your audience and drives meaningful engagement.

So, are you ready to craft your next viral masterpiece? Start by understanding your audience, tapping into emotions, and sharing content that inspires and entertains. The internet is waiting for your breakthrough moment!

Seeking top-notch digital marketing solutions? Look no further than EWM. Reach out to the team today.