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  Social media has transformed significantly, prompting both businesses and individuals to seek ways to go viral. With millions of active users on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, achieving virality is a cost-effective strategy to capture attention, grow your follower base, and boost influence, making it easier to sell products and services. The key to going viral lies in understanding algorithms, trends, and human behaviour. This article outlines practical steps to help you build your own social media empire through effective viral strategies.
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The Science of Social Media Virality

When we talk about social media virality, we are simply referring to the art of making something go viral. And to truly appreciate the power of social media virality, it’s important to understand that viral content follows a predictable pattern. Virality doesn’t happen by accident or luck, it results from careful planning, execution, and understanding of how platforms work. First, viral content is often emotionally driven. Content that makes people feel strong emotions such as joy, laughter, or even outrage, is more likely to get shared. Think of moments like the #EndSARS movement or the “Japa” wave in Nigeria; they sparked viral discussions because they hit emotional nerves. Humour is another thing that plays a major role. Nigerian content creators like Sabinus and Brain Jotter have gained millions of followers by making comedy skits that resonate with the everyday struggles and joys of Nigerians. As marketing expert and author, Jonah Berger notes in his book, Contagious: Why Things Catch On, “When we care, we share.” So, to create viral content, tap into emotions that will get people talking and sharing​

The Role of Platforms and Algorithms

To go viral, you must work with, not against, the algorithms of the social media platforms. These platforms use engagement (likes, shares, comments) to decide which content gets pushed to a larger audience. So, creating content that encourages interaction is important. In recent years, the algorithms have now designed to favour short-form videos, such as Instagram Reels and TikTok clips. This is because they cater to the short attention spans of today’s audiences and are easy to digest. A well-executed 30-second video can go viral faster than a long blog post.
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The Blueprint for Virality

  1. Know Your Audience

    Going viral requires you to understand the people you’re trying to reach. Who are they? What platforms do they frequent? Instagram and TikTok have exploded, especially among Gen Z and millennials. But the real magic happens when you know not just who they are but what content they care about.

  2. Create Unique, Shareable Content

    Virality thrives on uniqueness. Instagram, for example, rewards creative content with a consistent aesthetic. According to one source, using consistent colour schemes and themes can increase your chance of standing out in a crowded space.

  3. Leverage Trends and Hashtags

    Jumping on viral trends and using popular hashtags is key to increasing visibility. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are powered by trends—think of how dance challenges or memes take over timelines. Ensure you check Twitter’s “Explore” page regularly as this helps you catch on to emerging trends. Also, there are tools like Hashtagifythat can help you identify the best hashtags to boost your post’s visibility.

  4. Utilize Diverse Content Formats

    One of the most effective ways to boost engagement and virality is to diversify your content. Nigerian content creators frequently use reels to engage their audience. Reels are short videos that are visually compelling, often with trending music in the background. This encourages viewers to like, comment, and share. Short-form content is an excellent format for achieving virality because it’s easy to consume and share. A good example is the recent ‘Gwo Gwo Gwo’challenge started by Brain Jotter which caught on like wildfire.

  5. Collaborate with Influencers

    Partnering with micro-influencers who already have loyal followings is another effective way to amplify your reach. These influencers can introduce your content to their audiences, allowing you to tap into new communities and enhance your visibility.

6. Timing and Consistency

Posting at the right time is as important as the content itself. Nigerian audiences tend to engage more with social media in the evenings, particularly during weekdays. Regularly experimenting with posting schedules and analyzing the results helps in fine-tuning your strategy. By consistently posting content at the times when your audience is most active, you increase your chances of going rival, expanding your social media empire.
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  1. Keep It Simple and Shareable

Finally, simplicity matters. The more straightforward your content, the easier it is for people to consume and share. Whether it’s a catchy phrase, a humorous meme, or a short video clip, simple content works wonders in an era of information overload.
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This article was first published on 8th November 2024

victor-ifegwu-mbonu

Ifegwu-Mbonu Victor is a Personal Growth and Leadership Trainer who provides training and coaching to individuals and organizations.

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