Developing a viral marketing campaign isn’t always easy. But if you are looking for some help, then here are some ideas you can adopt to make things easier.
What's in this guide?
1. Know your audience
The first and arguably most crucial step to making a viral marketing campaign is to know your audience. This is very important as it helps you determine the right message to send that will attract the attention of your desired audience.
When you know who it is you’re making content for you can now determine the kind of content to create and the right channel through which to transmit your message. It wouldn’t make much sense to create anything without directing it to the right people.
2. Create appealing content
When you have been able to determine your target audience, the next thing to do is to figure out what it is that they like, what it is that would catch their attention, and what they would enjoy so much that they would want to share immediately with other people.
This is why it is very important to know your audience as stated in point one. Understanding your audience helps you know what it is that triggers their excitement and keeps their attention long enough to transmit your message and for them to share your content and message with other people.
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3. Make your content Visual
One of the fastest and easiest ways to get people’s attention and your message across is through video content. Videos tend to get people’s attention better than write-ups and articles.
A lot of ideas and messages can be communicated through just one video and there are a lot of ways through which the videos can be made that would be interesting and appealing to the individuals and get them hooked.
Also, there are so many platforms (such as Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, YouTube, etc.) that your videos can be shared on and easily get to a large number of the intended audience.
4. Use the right platform
For your content to reach the right audience it must be channeled through the right platform. The content has to be channeled through a platform that will enable it to get to a larger percentage of viewers.
It would be a great disappointment to have the right content put on the wrong platform where the people of interest won’t get to see it. This is why again knowing your audience is very important. Because if you know your audience, it becomes easier to know the platforms that will spread your message to most of your audience effectively and efficiently.
5. Send a clear message
After you have identified the right platforms to reach your target audience, then ensure that the message intended is clear enough for the audience to understand and relate with.
Do not make content that at the end of the day will be too complicated for the audience to comprehend. So, while creating the campaign, ensure that you have your audience in your mind. If need be, in terms of language, use their local language or pidgin.
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6. Appeal to the emotions of your audience
A viral marketing campaign appeals to people’s emotions. Hence, your message must resonate well with the emotions and feelings of your audience.
There’s always at least an objective behind every marketing campaign. If your campaign tickles their fancy, they will be convinced by your content to do what you want them to do. And if they even like it enough, they will share your content with other people.
It could be hilarious content that just gets them excited or it could be something that appeals to the sentiments of your audience.
Many people in a bid to create a viral marketing campaign often want to make content that they feel will get their audience excited and amused. However, sometimes, all the audience just needs is something to get them in touch with their deepest thoughts and feelings.
Also, ensure that the concept used in your content is not louder than your message. Else, people will enjoy the campaign without getting your message. And that’s a futile mission.
7. Seek an expert
Sometimes, it is also best to seek the help of an expert because nobody does things better than someone who has done it before or done it multiple times. They could give you some advice on what kind of content to create that will get to your audience or the right platform to use.
You can also get the help of social media influencers who already have loads of individuals following their content; so it becomes easier to get in touch with a lot of people, as people always pay attention to a familiar face or personality.
8. Offer incentives and rewards
Everyone loves free stuff and being rewarded. So, you can offer prizes and gifts to anyone who shares your content or to anyone who shares the most or to a required number of people.
A lot of people like to get themselves involved in referral challenges especially when there is an enticing reward at the end. With this, even when the message doesn’t get to your desired audience or does not appeal enough to whoever sees it, they would still be forced to share just so they can get that reward. This is one of the fastest ways to get your content out there.
Also Read: 8 Benefits of web analytics for your online business
9. Find the right time
The right time or season is also something to put into consideration when trying to create a viral marketing campaign. When creating content it is important to give thought to the present trends, the time of the year, the hot platforms, and also sometimes the time of the day to release the content.
All these can determine how far the content gets because if your content is released at the wrong time it might not get to the right people. Or if your content doesn’t follow present trends, it might not catch the attention of the audience – especially if most of your target audience are youths.
10. Advertising
Making use of advertising platforms can make your job easier. Advertising platforms (such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, etc.) help boost your content very easily and fast to a large number of people.
Finally
Creating a viral marketing campaign can take time, a lot of effort, and dedication. Sometimes, you may even feel like giving up when it seems your ideas are not working. It’s normal to feel that way, but don’t throw in the towel.
Many times, marketing campaigns are like a lottery. You never know which play will bring in a jackpot. So, keep at it, and creatively so.
