As a reputation management business, one of the most important things we focus on is helping our clients establish a strong online presence. In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become an essential tool for businesses to connect with their audience and build their reputation. However, with so much content being shared every second, it can be challenging to make your social media posts stand out and go viral. In this blog, we will discuss how social media posts can go viral and provide steps and examples to help businesses achieve this goal.
Step 1: Create Compelling Content
The first step to creating a viral social media post is to create compelling content that captures your audience’s attention. This could be a funny meme, a heartwarming story, or an informative infographic. Whatever type of content you choose, it needs to be engaging and shareable. The more people that like, comment, and share your post, the more likely it is to go viral.
Example: In 2018, KFC released a tweet that went viral overnight. The tweet featured a picture of their signature fried chicken, with the caption “I’m sorry Ms. Jackson, I am for real. Never meant to make your daughter cry, I apologize a trillion times.” The tweet was a clever play on the lyrics from the popular song “Ms. Jackson” by OutKast, and it was retweeted over 365,000 times.
Step 2: Use Hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to increase the visibility of your social media posts. They make it easier for people to find your content when they are searching for a specific topic. When creating your hashtags, make sure they are relevant to your content and easy to remember. Don’t go overboard with the hashtags either, one or two relevant hashtags are sufficient.
Example: The #IceBucketChallenge was a viral sensation in 2014. The challenge was simple, pour a bucket of ice water over your head and challenge others to do the same. The hashtag was used over 4 million times on Facebook and raised over $115 million for ALS research.
Step 3: Timing is Everything
Timing is critical when it comes to social media posts. You want to make sure you are posting at a time when your audience is most active. This will increase the chances of your post being seen and shared. Do some research to find out when your target audience is most active on social media and schedule your posts accordingly.
Example: Oreo’s “Dunk in the Dark” tweet during the 2013 Super Bowl is a great example of timing. When the lights went out in the stadium, Oreo tweeted “You can still dunk in the dark.” The tweet was shared over 15,000 times and gained over 8,000 retweets in just a few hours.
Step 4: Partner with Influencers
Partnering with influencers can help you reach a wider audience and increase the chances of your social media posts going viral. Influencers have a large following on social media, and their endorsement of your product or service can lead to increased engagement and shares.
Example: Daniel Wellington is a Swedish watch company that partnered with influencers to promote their products. They sent free watches to Instagram influencers, who then posted pictures of themselves wearing the watches and tagged Daniel Wellington in their posts. The campaign was a huge success, and Daniel Wellington’s Instagram following grew from 850,000 to 4.4 million in just two years.
In conclusion, creating viral social media posts requires a combination of compelling content, relevant hashtags, timing, and partnerships with influencers. As a reputation management business, we understand the importance of having a strong online presence, and we can help businesses achieve their social media goals
