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The length of a post has direct correlation to the virality of said post. The longer the content is the higher the potential that readers will want to share it with their friends, email it to themselves, or archive it for later reference. Especially, if it's informative, according to an article published on the Social Science Research Network website. The fact is, sheer word count has the closest correlation to sharing tendencies than any other variable noted. SEOmoz’s Carson Ward sheds more light on the subject with his article, Why Content Goes Viral: the Theory and Proof. Also, the source of the content (its social platform) plays a factor in how often it's shared by groups and individuals.2. Can We Share?
As a kid we were taught the value of sharing... so what's changed? Nothing! Especially with social content. The more your content is shared - the greater impact it has on your targeted audience. We're not just talking about your friends getting in on the action either.
You want to expand to their networks, and their contractor's networks, and their friend's networks - so on and so forth. Why do you think that hot shot 22 year old is constantly talking about tweets, subscribers, likes, hits, and follows? It's because yes, he has discovered fire and reinvented the wheel. Now get on board before your company's lingo starts sounding like the dark ages. Share, share, share! You have to make your audience feel a part of the process; provide them some sort of incentive to be your greatest asset since the town crier.
3. Is it Persuasive?
According to Robert Cialdini & Steve Martin's Secrets from the Science of Persuasion there are six rules of thumb that apply to a truly persuasive social media outreach effort. Those shortcuts include Reciprocity, Scarcity, Authority, Consistency, Liking, and Consensus. These can significantly increase the chances that people will be persuaded by your message. We feel an obligation to give back to others when we've received the same form of service first. People are more likely to say yes when they feel they owe you. It isn't what; it's how. Be the first to give and make it personal and unexpected! Areas of similarity, referrals, and consistency make a difference as well. More can be found in the video...check it out!
4. Do They Feel They're Missing Out?
Also, Scarcity makes people want to engage you, your company, and products EVEN MORE. Point out the benefits, what's unique, and what they stand to lose! Also, heed the rules of supply and demand... if there is a shorter supply the demand tends to go through the roof. What are you doing to create that urgency?
Number lists, bullet points, and countdowns are effective because people tend to skim and browse informative texts and search engine results. Seeing a list gives them the needed information without having to read a bunch of sentences.
Additionally, people are more likely to share the information if what they're searching for is readily available and jumps off the virtual page for them..."I need to know how to use a hammer." What better result than a list that says 1.how to use screwdrivers 2. how to use a hammer 3. what to do with a saw?
Your topic is readily available and similar topics, contained within the list, are able to be quickly referenced or shared. When you are reading something looking for specific information, don't you like it when you run into a site that provides the information in a list format instead of several paragraphs? It's quicker and more suited for how we look for information these days.
6. Did We Teach Them a Lesson?
Simple enough, the question to be answered is - does my audience feel enriched after their experience with me and/or my company? The answer must be yes! It's one thing to put something out there, but you have to be able to engage and enrich the lives of your client/ audience. They have to feel that their life is better having been engaged by your social content. People want to feel smarter after an informative piece. They want to learn a new skill, discover something previously unknown to them, learn a new technique, have an 'ah ha moment'. If you fail to do so then you may fail at retention as well as building new relationships. We, as human beings, love to learn and if we aren't learning or enhancing ourselves it may be considered pointless to give you the time of day.
7. Was it Sexy Enough?
Sex sells. Moreover, people want to feel wanted. Explicit and elicit sex may be waaay over the top, but you have to make it fun... sell the sizzle. As proof, check out this link to a December 2005 article from Ad Week. regarding a religious calendar showcasing nude depictions of biblical stories.
The members of a German Protestant youth group have found a way to combine their moral devotion to the Bible with their hormonal devotion to sex.... The 2006 calendar features 12 erotic scenes from the Bible. One shows a nude Delilah cutting Sampson's hair.
Conversely, M&M Mars' delectable delights, M&Ms have always bordered on the fringes of sexy and have sometimes gone over-the-top.
8. Can They See it on The Go?
Content doesn't just confine itself to the latest social media. It spans the technology spectrum with computing devices, apps, mobile devices, music players, even watches and cars have gotten in on the on-the-go fastidiousness of consumers and how they prefer their information. Is your website available in mobile form? Does your media require flash? Will you have links to seamlessly share the post, video, or site that you want your consumers to engage with? You have to make certain your message is available across multiple platforms. Also, it helps to know if your audience is able to engage wherever they are, especially those stakeholders that are most vital to receiving and acting upon your message.
"The medium is the message" is a phrase coined by Marshall McLuhan meaning that the form of a medium embeds itself in the message, creating a symbiotic relationship by which the medium influences how the message is perceived. What's your medium and will it convey your message. #message (o_0)
9. Pics and Videos; Doesn't Everyone Like to Watch?
Good content like viral videos, movie trailers, hot topic posts (with pics), celebrity news, inspirational, political or funny memes.... that's the kind of thing that gets attention. But how do you send the proper message across the channels? Here are two videos that, if you decide not to lie to yourself, you'll definitely agree - we absolutely fell in love with and shared (and danced) our asses off: But don't be fooled people are still looking for text not just graphics.
Psy's Gangam Style:
Harlem Shake (University of Detroit Mercy -Go Titans! :)
Superhero meme that has over 100k likes/shares
10. Where's the Emotion?
Where's the emotion? It should be in the message you're sending to the public. Humor is always a winner. People love to laugh and if you can create content that isn't frivolous be delivers a real message along with the funny - you've got yourself a winning combination. Other emotions evoked including sadness, anger, trust, anticipation, excitement, longing, surprise and intrigue are among the actionable emotions that get the most hits, shares, likes, comments. Being able to articulate ideas clearly is key to capturing the attention of prospects.
11. Do We Know What the Heck We're Talking About?
Why should people listen to you or care about what you're saying; are you an authority? Research is the cornerstone to any good paper, article, news story even non-fiction has its anchors in well researched facts. Readers want to be engaged. Moreover they want to be engaged by people who know what the hell they're talking about. Stats back up the rhetoric, and beyond that how often does the source produce subject-related content? Imagine a blog from a licensed certified mechanic that gives advice on auto repair. It would be widely successful (given he could write and produce worthwhile/engaging/accurate content). Now imagine that same blog done by an auto enthusiast... all she did was research and write about cars. Still, a great source of content. Now if a tennis coach or pastry chef produced the same content, not so much (o_0).by F. Carlton Peeples
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