Creating a viral marketing campaign is one of the most difficult tasks a marketer can undertake because it requires a delicate balance of creative content, effective targeting, and timing. However, if done correctly, it can be an extremely effective way to reach a large number of people in a short amount of time. After watching a promotional video online, consumers are 64% more likely to buy the product, as stated by MultiVisionDigital. This shows that not only is virality possible, but it also has a direct impact on sales.
There’s no surefire formula for creating a viral marketing campaign. Still, there are some tried-and-true methods to increase your chances of success.
Step 1: Identify Your Target Audience
Before you can create content that is likely to go viral, you need to identify your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your message? What interests do they have?
To know these things, you must create buyer personas for your target audience. This will give you a detailed profile of the people you’re trying to reach so you can create content that appeals to them. Another way is to research your competition. See what content resonates with their audience and try to create something similar.
Once you know your target audience, you’ll be in a better position to create content that appeals to them.
Step 2: Come Up With a Catchy Headline
Your headline is important for two reasons. First, it needs to be interesting enough to get people to click on it. Second, it needs to accurately reflect the content of your article or video so that people don’t feel tricked into clicking on something that isn’t relevant to their interests.
Try using numbers, such as “5 Weird Tricks for Getting More Instagram Followers,” to write a headline that will get attention. You could also make a bold claim (e.g., “You Won’t Believe What This Dog Can Do!”) or ask a question (e.g., “Have You Been Making These Common Grammar Mistakes?”).
Step 3: Create Share-worthy Content
Once you have a catchy headline, it’s time to focus on the body of your piece. As mentioned before, for something to go viral, it needs to be interesting, funny, or useful. But what does that actually mean?
To ensure your content is interesting, tell a story that captivates readers from start to finish. In addition, infuse some humor into your writing or use humor as a tool to illustrate an important point. And to put value into your content, provide readers with the information they can use in their everyday lives.
It will be best if you work with a creative advertising agency to get help with making your content share-worthy. They will have the resources and expertise to help you create content that stands out from the rest. An agency can also help you gain an advantage in the next step: reaching a wide audience.
Step 4: Get Your Content in Front of as Many People as Possible
The more people who see your content, the more likely it is that someone will share it. There are a few ways to get your content in front of more people.
First, you can share it on social media. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great platforms for promoting your content. Just make sure to use hashtags and tag relevant people or brands in your posts so that more people will see them.
Second, you can email your content to your list. If you have a database of people who have signed up to receive your emails, make sure to send them your latest article or video. You can even create a special email template just for your viral content so that it stands out in people’s inboxes.
Finally, you can pay to promote your content. This is especially effective if you’ve created a piece of content that you think has a lot of potential. By paying to boost your post or video, you can reach a larger audience and get more people to see your content.
Step 5: Be Patient
It can sometimes take time for a viral marketing campaign to catch on. So don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away. Just keep putting your content out there, and eventually, you’ll see results. It might take a few days or even a few weeks, but if you’ve created something truly share-worthy, eventually, people will start talking about it.
Creating a viral marketing campaign is a great way to get your brand in front of more people. Just remember to focus on creating share-worthy content and getting it in front of as many people as possible. And be patient—it takes time for a viral campaign to catch on. But if you follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to success.