Going viral is unpredictable.
But...you can increase your chances by creating shareable content.
Yet, most people do this part wrong.
Here’s 10 ways to create shareable content and drastically increase the chances of going viral (with examples)
But...you can increase your chances by creating shareable content.
Yet, most people do this part wrong.
Here’s 10 ways to create shareable content and drastically increase the chances of going viral (with examples)

1. Relatable
Dove launched a campaign in 2013 called “Real Beauty Sketches”.
For the campaign, they took a sketch artist and had him sketch multiple women based off two descriptions:
1. The description they gave themselves
2. The description other people gave them
Dove launched a campaign in 2013 called “Real Beauty Sketches”.
For the campaign, they took a sketch artist and had him sketch multiple women based off two descriptions:
1. The description they gave themselves
2. The description other people gave them
Each time, the description given by a stranger resulted in a more attractive portrait.
Meaning, “You are more beautiful than you think.”
It was relatable and took off.
It had 114m views in the first month and became the most-watched video in 2013.
Beautiful campaign too.
Meaning, “You are more beautiful than you think.”
It was relatable and took off.
It had 114m views in the first month and became the most-watched video in 2013.
Beautiful campaign too.
2. Opinionated
Everyone has one. Whether talking flat earth vs round earth, Lebron vs Michael, Steve Jobs, or Steve Wozniak or is clubhouse going to succeed or fail?
The thing is not everyone likes to share their opinion.
So when other people do, they ride that wave.
Everyone has one. Whether talking flat earth vs round earth, Lebron vs Michael, Steve Jobs, or Steve Wozniak or is clubhouse going to succeed or fail?
The thing is not everyone likes to share their opinion.
So when other people do, they ride that wave.
For example, @ShaanVP gave his in-depth opinion on why he thinks Clubhouse will fail.
The tweet took off like crazy.
People that shared the same opinion -- Retweeted it.
The ones that hated on it -- commented on it.
It’s a win-win for Shaan
20k+ followers from a thread.
The tweet took off like crazy.
People that shared the same opinion -- Retweeted it.
The ones that hated on it -- commented on it.
It’s a win-win for Shaan
20k+ followers from a thread.
3. Nostalgia
Nostalgia is a drug.
We all like to talk about the moments "back when."
It hits home. And in marketing, it's like using steroids.
For example, the Motorola Razr.
Nostalgia is a drug.
We all like to talk about the moments "back when."
It hits home. And in marketing, it's like using steroids.
For example, the Motorola Razr.
Early 2000s, the Razr made phones cool! I begged for one!
Well, when they re-introduced the Razr in 2019 with new tech -- they made sure to touch on the Razr's past before looking into the future.
It was one of the greatest smartphone comebacks.
Well, when they re-introduced the Razr in 2019 with new tech -- they made sure to touch on the Razr's past before looking into the future.
It was one of the greatest smartphone comebacks.
4. Long-Form
This works both in written and video.
Long-Form content opens the door to creating a deeper connection with the user. Really sucking them into the story, feeding them the details, and keeping them glued for mins.
By the end of it, they can’t help but share it.
This works both in written and video.
Long-Form content opens the door to creating a deeper connection with the user. Really sucking them into the story, feeding them the details, and keeping them glued for mins.
By the end of it, they can’t help but share it.
@zzcrockett does this with the Sunday Story for The Hustle in written form.
Hot ones and Cold As balls does this with their Youtube shows.
Long-form content also gives room for there to be viral clips/or pieces of content within the original piece.
Hot ones and Cold As balls does this with their Youtube shows.
Long-form content also gives room for there to be viral clips/or pieces of content within the original piece.
5. Unseen
When you’ve never seen something before, what’s your automatic reaction?
To take a picture, and share it...or to share it on social etc
The same goes for marketing.
When you do something that people have never seen before -- they share it everywhere.
When you’ve never seen something before, what’s your automatic reaction?
To take a picture, and share it...or to share it on social etc
The same goes for marketing.
When you do something that people have never seen before -- they share it everywhere.
It’s human instinct.
Back in 2016, when Deadpool was marketing the movie, Reynolds and his team created an emoji-only billboard.
This was unlike any other billboard people had seen -- so it got shared everywhere.
They used a billboard to hack the internet.
It was genius.
Back in 2016, when Deadpool was marketing the movie, Reynolds and his team created an emoji-only billboard.
This was unlike any other billboard people had seen -- so it got shared everywhere.
They used a billboard to hack the internet.
It was genius.
6. Inspirational
Okay, no one does this better than Nike.
I watch a Nike ad and I feel like I can become an olympic athlete.
Because they show you what greatness looks like, how amazing humans really are, and what can be achieved when you work at something.
Okay, no one does this better than Nike.
I watch a Nike ad and I feel like I can become an olympic athlete.
Because they show you what greatness looks like, how amazing humans really are, and what can be achieved when you work at something.
The story all comes back to you being able to achieve your own greatness, too.
This is why Nike’s ads tend to go viral.
They inspire you to do, to be, AND most importantly, to SHARE lol
This is why Nike’s ads tend to go viral.
They inspire you to do, to be, AND most importantly, to SHARE lol
7. Information
Quality information travels.
It also answers a question or solves a problem. A TON of people tend to have the same questions and problems.
So, when informational/educational content is created, it naturally has a way of being shared.
Let's paint a picture.
Quality information travels.
It also answers a question or solves a problem. A TON of people tend to have the same questions and problems.
So, when informational/educational content is created, it naturally has a way of being shared.
Let's paint a picture.
Friend A has been dealing with x problem.
Friend B has been dealing with x problem too.
Friend A shares it with friend b, and then friend b with friend c. It's a loop.
Examples are:
Ted Talks for Youtube.
@garyvee for Instagram.
@naval on Twitter
Friend B has been dealing with x problem too.
Friend A shares it with friend b, and then friend b with friend c. It's a loop.
Examples are:
Ted Talks for Youtube.
@garyvee for Instagram.
@naval on Twitter
8. Story-Based Video
I’m a video nerd so this is my favorite. Story-Based video content has a way of drawing attention for as long as the story continues.
Depending on the story being told, certain emotions are pulled in.
It could be inspiration. Empathy. Happiness. Sadness.
I’m a video nerd so this is my favorite. Story-Based video content has a way of drawing attention for as long as the story continues.
Depending on the story being told, certain emotions are pulled in.
It could be inspiration. Empathy. Happiness. Sadness.
My favorite example (because I’m a huge @DwyaneWade fan) is this video done by Budweiser for Dwyane Wade’s retirement.
It told the story of Dwyane’s impact off the court.
IT MADE ME CRY, ALOT.
It made me want to share it with the rest of the world so they could feel it too.
It told the story of Dwyane’s impact off the court.
IT MADE ME CRY, ALOT.
It made me want to share it with the rest of the world so they could feel it too.
9. Elon Musk once said, “Who controls the memes, controls the universe.”
And, if anyone knows the power of quality memes it’s @TrungTPhan who @elonmusk is a phan of.
For example, let’s take the movie Bird Box.
And, if anyone knows the power of quality memes it’s @TrungTPhan who @elonmusk is a phan of.
For example, let’s take the movie Bird Box.
Before it was viewed over 45m times in the first week, it was a joke trending on every social platform.
The memes were everywhere!!
There was a Bird Box meme for every scenario.
Because of the memes, people had to watch it.
Result?
Netflix hit.
The memes were everywhere!!
There was a Bird Box meme for every scenario.
Because of the memes, people had to watch it.
Result?
Netflix hit.
10. Humor
EVERYONE loves a good laugh! Matter of fact humor connects more people than anything.
Marketing efforts that make this happen tend to go viral.
Dollar Shave Club is a great example of using humor in their advertising.
It was also a first of its kind.
EVERYONE loves a good laugh! Matter of fact humor connects more people than anything.
Marketing efforts that make this happen tend to go viral.
Dollar Shave Club is a great example of using humor in their advertising.
It was also a first of its kind.
Another is the original Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” Campaign
Both garnished ungodly amounts of views while spreading like a wild fire.
Both garnished ungodly amounts of views while spreading like a wild fire.
Again, you can't predict virality but you can create content that increases the chance of it happening.
So, in reality, consistency is key for viral hits.
So, in reality, consistency is key for viral hits.
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