You know all the rules of writing online by heart. You appreciate the value of networking and know how to maintain your publishing routine given the time constraints your face every day.
You write and write…and write a little more.
And then, satisfied with your level of commitment, you victoriously check the traffic stats to your site only to find that your blog is not victorious in any way.
Heartbreaking stats mock in your face!
And you find yourself comparing these stats with a brand-new post on an infant blog. The post which gathered millions of visitors, hundreds of comments, thousands of social signals, and tens of blog post discussing the same topic.
And you wonder ‘from which planet these bloggers have arrived’.
Why can’t you achieve the same results?
Because….
There can be various answers to this question. But most general answers revolve around focus, style, emotions, and audience.
Focus:
Start with the right research into what can go viral and what cannot. There can be differing types of right content for different niches.
Take digital marketing as an example. This niche highlights news, comprehensive lists about relevant tools, and monetization methods for people interested in this area as examples of viral content. All you need is using right tools (hint: BuzzSumo), spending some time on internet searching and validating your search, and matching your interest with the trends you establish out of research.
You should understand that most of the content which is highlighted within this research will be time-sensitive. Especially news and current affairs related content will only provide traffic for a short time period.
Timeless content is another content bloggers can target when developing their content calendar. This content will offer greater benefit to the blogs because they will keep attracting traffic even after years of publishing. Biggest disadvantage of this type of content is lower virality attached to this type of content.
So, understand you needs, first.
Do you prefer short-term unstable traffic?
Or, do you need longer lasting authority?
Style:
This is another common theme in viral content. If you look at most discussed content on your niche, you will find that they are all
• engaging
• inspiring
• result oriented
• and understandable.
All these definitions of style of viral content point towards a single goal; creation of content for lazy readers.
This does not mean that your readers are lazy people in general.
But it does mean that your readers want instant gratification from your content. If they get this instant gratification, chances are that they will reward you with engagement and sharing of content. And, if your content failed to provide this gratification in its first paragraph, they will more likely penalize you with heightened bounce rate.
So, the opening of your content should be enough attractive that can hook up your readers instantly.
The middle part should be skimmable enough to not distract them towards other infotainment sources. And it should be engaging enough to allow them to reach ending paragraph after scanning them.
The end should be inspiring for the readers so they can pay the reward of your writing efforts.
Every part has its definite purpose. And only skilled writers can follow the right format of a viral article.
Emotions:
This should be the most important heading of the whole document.
Viral content always surround emotions of relevant people. These articles, videos, comments, and images start with emotion, are delivered with emotions, and are received with emotions.
If emotions do not make part of you writing your article, then there is a heightened chance that it will not be communicated in the right tone and at the right time (unless if you are trained in appearing emotional even when you are not).
So, pick a sensitive topic. A topic which is sensitive to you.
Toddler tantrums cannot be sensitive topic to you if you have gone through that parenting phase years ago and has no contact with parents of toddlers recently.
Another important consideration should be the emotions of your potential readers.
Few questions you should ask yourself about the perspective blog post should be: Will they feel connected to your idea? Will they relate to it?
Another word for emotions is authenticity. You have to feel the idea you are going to present.
Audience:
Ah Audience!
When I hear this word I think of those beloved creatures like me and you who have the power to convert my ideas into actions. Those creatures, who can make my content overnight success (is there a thing like this?) or kick it into abyss of invisibility.
So these audience are the king of my blog and your.
And they should be happy for receiving your blog.
The question is, ‘how can they happily receive your content?’
They will listen when you talk about those ideas which they are willing to hear.
• Ideas which solve their everyday issues.
• Ideas which help them know their lives, businesses, and relations better.
• And, ideas which are worthy of their thoughts and emotions.
So your content will win the heart of your audience if you invest your emotions in it and use these emotions to reach the hearts of your audience.
Wrap Up:
You take inspiration from those blogging and copy-writing gurus who create viral pieces of content one after another and never fail at it.
You want to understand the magic behind their masterpieces but fail miserably in replicating the trick.
And you want the perfect recipe for writing such content.
But you miss the single magic ingredient within your craft of writing; you.
All you have to do is to accept that by translating your emotions into perspectives of your life using the power of your style and reaching your people can you develop series of life-changing action provoking content.
You write and write…and write a little more.
And then, satisfied with your level of commitment, you victoriously check the traffic stats to your site only to find that your blog is not victorious in any way.
Heartbreaking stats mock in your face!
And you find yourself comparing these stats with a brand-new post on an infant blog. The post which gathered millions of visitors, hundreds of comments, thousands of social signals, and tens of blog post discussing the same topic.
And you wonder ‘from which planet these bloggers have arrived’.
Why can’t you achieve the same results?
Because….
There can be various answers to this question. But most general answers revolve around focus, style, emotions, and audience.
Focus:
Start with the right research into what can go viral and what cannot. There can be differing types of right content for different niches.
Take digital marketing as an example. This niche highlights news, comprehensive lists about relevant tools, and monetization methods for people interested in this area as examples of viral content. All you need is using right tools (hint: BuzzSumo), spending some time on internet searching and validating your search, and matching your interest with the trends you establish out of research.
You should understand that most of the content which is highlighted within this research will be time-sensitive. Especially news and current affairs related content will only provide traffic for a short time period.
Timeless content is another content bloggers can target when developing their content calendar. This content will offer greater benefit to the blogs because they will keep attracting traffic even after years of publishing. Biggest disadvantage of this type of content is lower virality attached to this type of content.
So, understand you needs, first.
Do you prefer short-term unstable traffic?
Or, do you need longer lasting authority?
Style:
This is another common theme in viral content. If you look at most discussed content on your niche, you will find that they are all
• engaging
• inspiring
• result oriented
• and understandable.
All these definitions of style of viral content point towards a single goal; creation of content for lazy readers.
This does not mean that your readers are lazy people in general.
But it does mean that your readers want instant gratification from your content. If they get this instant gratification, chances are that they will reward you with engagement and sharing of content. And, if your content failed to provide this gratification in its first paragraph, they will more likely penalize you with heightened bounce rate.
So, the opening of your content should be enough attractive that can hook up your readers instantly.
The middle part should be skimmable enough to not distract them towards other infotainment sources. And it should be engaging enough to allow them to reach ending paragraph after scanning them.
The end should be inspiring for the readers so they can pay the reward of your writing efforts.
Every part has its definite purpose. And only skilled writers can follow the right format of a viral article.
Emotions:
This should be the most important heading of the whole document.
Viral content always surround emotions of relevant people. These articles, videos, comments, and images start with emotion, are delivered with emotions, and are received with emotions.
If emotions do not make part of you writing your article, then there is a heightened chance that it will not be communicated in the right tone and at the right time (unless if you are trained in appearing emotional even when you are not).
So, pick a sensitive topic. A topic which is sensitive to you.
Toddler tantrums cannot be sensitive topic to you if you have gone through that parenting phase years ago and has no contact with parents of toddlers recently.
Another important consideration should be the emotions of your potential readers.
Few questions you should ask yourself about the perspective blog post should be: Will they feel connected to your idea? Will they relate to it?
Another word for emotions is authenticity. You have to feel the idea you are going to present.
Audience:
Ah Audience!
When I hear this word I think of those beloved creatures like me and you who have the power to convert my ideas into actions. Those creatures, who can make my content overnight success (is there a thing like this?) or kick it into abyss of invisibility.
So these audience are the king of my blog and your.
And they should be happy for receiving your blog.
The question is, ‘how can they happily receive your content?’
They will listen when you talk about those ideas which they are willing to hear.
• Ideas which solve their everyday issues.
• Ideas which help them know their lives, businesses, and relations better.
• And, ideas which are worthy of their thoughts and emotions.
So your content will win the heart of your audience if you invest your emotions in it and use these emotions to reach the hearts of your audience.
Wrap Up:
You take inspiration from those blogging and copy-writing gurus who create viral pieces of content one after another and never fail at it.
You want to understand the magic behind their masterpieces but fail miserably in replicating the trick.
And you want the perfect recipe for writing such content.
But you miss the single magic ingredient within your craft of writing; you.
All you have to do is to accept that by translating your emotions into perspectives of your life using the power of your style and reaching your people can you develop series of life-changing action provoking content.
