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How to create viral content on social media? Check out 5 tips!

Gustavo Goncalves
Gustavo Goncalves

Jan 23, 2025

Tips on how to create viral content
10:30

Creating viral content on social media is the dream of many creators and brands. After all, who doesn't want to see their ideas reaching thousands, or even millions, of people in a short space of time?

However, achieving this level of engagement isn't just a matter of luck; it's the result of strategy, creativity and an understanding of online audience behavior.

In this post, we'll share 5 practical tips to help you create content with a high chance of going viral.

What you'll see in this post:

Happy reading!

What is viral content?

Have you ever found yourself laughing at a video or sharing a meme so good that you felt the whole world needed to see it? That's right, you've just connected with something that has the power to go "viral". But what exactly does that mean? Let's explore it together.

Viral content, when viewed from the perspective of a marketing strategy, is like a spark that finds fuel in the right place at the right time. It spreads quickly, reaching thousands, sometimes millions, of people in a short space of time.

But it's not just about numbers; it's about impact. It's that post that provokes laughter, emotion or reflection. Something that people simply share because it's content that entertains and generates a connection.

It's worth noting that there are some characteristics that make content viral. Firstly, it is genuine, and this authenticity is more likely to resonate.

Think of homemade videos or touching stories that seem to come straight from the heart.

Secondly, it's relevant. Whether it's something that reflects the present moment, a current trend or a universal feeling, viral usually connects with people in the now.

Another factor is the element of surprise. An unexpected ending, a creative idea or a clever touch of humor can turn simple content into something memorable.

In addition, the format matters: short videos, captivating images or straightforward texts tend to work best in the frenzy of social media.

But not everything that goes viral is born from a formula. The truth is that no one is in complete control of the phenomenon.

Sometimes what catches fire is something you never imagined would get out of hand, the famous "happy accident".

The bottom line? Don't try to create viral content just for the hype. Focus on producing something meaningful, that you would love to share, even if no one else saw it.

The power of viral marketing content lies in its ability to connect, to create bonds, and that only happens when what you share comes from the heart.

So the next time you laugh, cry or get inspired by something on the internet, remember: viral isn't just about reach; it's about how it makes you feel and how you want to pass it on.

 

What are the characteristics of viral content?

Have you ever wondered why some content spreads like wildfire on social media, while others are forgotten in the timeline?

There is no magic formula, but there are characteristics that greatly increase the chances of a post going viral.

Let's talk about two of them: relevance and emotion.

Relevance: The heart of engagement

In the world of digital content, being relevant is like being heard in a room full of people talking at the same time.

People connect with what makes sense to them, either because it's useful, topical or because it reflects their experiences and interests.

Think of that video that appeared at just the right moment, providing a solution to a problem you had no idea how to solve. This kind of content makes us want to share it, tagging friends with a "look, that's us!".

Emotion: The fuel for sharing

If relevance is the heart, emotion is the engine. Content that arouses laughter, tears, surprise or even indignation is more likely to get the "share" button. Emotions create an instant human connection.

An emotional reunion video, a sentence that provokes that "insight" or a funny story that makes you cry with laughter - all of these arouse the desire to pass them on so that other people feel the same way.

When you combine relevance and emotion, you create content that speaks directly to people and inspires them to take action.

The key is to understand your audience and ask yourself: "Would this be interesting to me and the people around me?"

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5 tips for creating viral content

When it comes to viral content, examples can vary according to the platform. After all, this type of content is like planting a seed with the desire for it to grow and flourish for all to see.

But, like any good gardening, there are essential precautions for this to happen.

Shall we talk about some of them?

1. Get to know your audience first

Knowing who you want to reach is the first step. Ask yourself: what interests my audience? What problems do they face? What makes them laugh, cry or be surprised?

The more you understand who is on the other side, the easier it will be to create something that touches them.

Tools such as polls, interactions in the comments or even a good look at the trends in your area can help you decipher these tastes and interests.

2. Bet on images and videos

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Now imagine a video! Visual content has a unique power to attract attention and generate engagement.

Use quality photos, edit your videos with care and be careful with the choice of colors and subtitles.

Think of creative ways to get your message across: be it a funny meme, a useful tutorial or a touching story.

3. Choose the right platform for each format

Each platform requires a different approach, but the most important thing is to understand your audience's expectations and consumption habits on each one.

Adapting to these characteristics can significantly increase your chances of creating viral content.

  • How to go viral on TikTok?
    TikTok is the ideal platform for short, dynamic and creative videos. Its appeal lies in challenges, trends and content that stands out for its originality and speed.

To go viral, it's important to create videos that are in line with the trends of the moment, but also that have your own unique identity. Use popular songs, creative visual effects and take part in challenges to increase your chances of reaching a wider audience.

Remember that authenticity is key: spontaneous and entertaining videos have great engagement potential.

  • How to go viral on Instagram?
    On Instagram, the focus is on visually appealing and interactive content. Reels are one of the main tools for creating short videos that are highly likely to reach new audiences.

In addition, Stories and feed posts must be well planned, with attention paid to the aesthetics and quality of images and videos.

Take advantage of interactive features such as polls, questions and stickers to engage your audience. Use relevant hashtags and think about content that arouses emotions to increase reach and engagement.

  • How to go viral on YouTube?
    YouTube is the perfect platform for longer, more in-depth videos. To go viral here, it's essential to produce high-quality content that adds value, such as vlogs, tutorials and in-depth analysis.

Invest in catchy titles, attractive thumbnails and SEO-optimized descriptions. Consistency is key, so maintain a regular frequency of posts.

Explore different formats, such as live broadcasts or videos with storytelling, and interact with your audience in the comments to build an engaged community and increase the chances of viralization.

4. Take advantage of current trends

Staying on top of trends is one of the most valuable tricks for gaining visibility. If a meme, song or viral challenge is trending, consider how it can connect to your message or product.

Content that rides the wave of something popular is much more likely to be shared.

However, beware: it's not enough to replicate a piece of content just because it's trendy. Adapt the trend to your brand or message in an authentic and creative way. This prevents the public from seeing your content as forced or disconnected from its essence.

5. Keep it short and to the point

In the age of constant notifications, capturing and keeping people's attention is a challenge. That's why brevity is your ally.

Clear, objective messages have more impact, especially when combined with an attractive visual.

A good headline, an impactful call-to-action or even a provocative phrase can make all the difference.

Think that your audience is in an infinite feed: you only have a few seconds to convince them to stop and interact. Use those seconds wisely!

In the end, the secret of viral content lies in the combination: understanding who is on the other side of the screen and creating something that moves, informs or simply makes them smile.

Test, adjust, always be aware of your digital marketing approach and who knows, your next post will be the one everyone is sharing tomorrow!

viral content

Start creating viral content today!

Creating viral content is not an exact science, but an art that combines authenticity, relevance, emotion and strategy.

Understanding your audience, investing in impactful visuals, choosing the ideal platform for social media marketing, taking advantage of trends and being brief and to the point are all fundamental steps to increasing your chances of success.

Remember: the goal is not just to achieve impressive numbers, but to create genuine connections and arouse feelings that inspire people to share.

Now that you know the secrets to creating viral posts, how about exploring how to integrate your content strategies with a CRM?

Find out how this combination can boost your digital presence even more in our post below. Don't miss it!

CRM and Social Media: how to integrate efficiently?

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