Why Do Social Media Posts Go Viral?
Have you ever wondered why do social media post go viral? In the world of media and publicity, a popular saying goes, “All press is good press.” The idea behind this saying is that any type of media coverage, whether positive or negative, can still generate exposure and get people talking. However, this saying may not always hold in today’s social media-dominated landscape. In 2023, there are estimated to be 4.89 billion social media users worldwide.
With the advent of social media, news and information spread unprecedentedly. A seemingly innocuous photo or video can go viral within minutes, reaching millions of people across the globe. Social media’s viral nature has positive and negative implications for individuals, organizations, and businesses seeking publicity.
What Makes a Post Go Viral?
One of the key factors that can propel a post to go viral is its profound ability to evoke strong emotions in people. Emotions have a powerful impact on human behavior, and when a post strikes a chord with individuals on an emotional level, it can quickly spread like wildfire across social media platforms.
Posts that trigger positive emotions such as joy, happiness, laughter, and excitement are more likely to be shared widely. When people come across a post that makes them feel good or brings a smile, they are compelled to share it with their friends and followers, spreading the positive vibes further. On the other hand, posts that evoke negative emotions like anger, betrayal, frustration, and disbelief can also go viral. These posts tend to stir controversy and generate intense reactions, leading to widespread discussions and debates.
Follow What is Trending: Why Do Social Media Posts Go Viral?
With the hustle and bustle of marketing, social media trends are hard to keep up with. You might have created a super trendy and hilarious video for your company, but by the time you post it – it’s out. You have to act fast, or your competitor may beat you. Stay ahead of the game by understanding why do social media posts go viral.
TikTok is the platform to go viral. After its rapid growth following the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies utilize the platform to stay connected to their audiences. Whether it’s a trending sound or a hilarious challenge – stay up to date on what your customers are interested in to fit it into your marketing strategy.
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Keep current on the trends and stay engaged with your audience, but be cautious of how your audience will interpret your post, comment, etc.
Beware of the “Flop”
A flop on social media refers to an instance when a social media campaign, post, or account fails to achieve its intended goals and falls short of expectations.
Ever heard of the Duolingo Owl? With the rapid growth of TikTok, many companies turn to the platform to stand out against their competitors – Duolingo has used their beloved mascot as the face of their account, posting humorous and not expected content. With great power comes great social responsibility. In early 2022, when the Duolingo Owl was at the height of its fame – one comment caused much controversy.
During this time, the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard trial took over the internet. With mass hate for Amber Heard, the Duolingo Owl left a less-than-wise comment. Under a post showing Heard getting cross-examined by Depp’s lawyers, the company commented, “Y’all think Amber watches Tik Tok.” Users deemed this comment insensitive, even though the company has built a reputation for its out-of-pocket content.
If something similar happens to your company, is this the type of exposure that you want? Keep your accounts up to date, but keep in mind the reputation and vision of your brand. Not every good intention results in a positive viral moment.
Do What is Right For Your Brand
When a social media post deeply resonates with people’s emotions, it has the potential to go viral, as evident in the examples above. While not all publicity is necessarily positive, it generates significant buzz and discussion among people.
Ready to take your social media game to the next level? Say goodbye to lackluster engagement and hello to viral success! Our social media specialists are here to help your posts soar to new heights of popularity, and best of all, we’ll make sure your business gets the spotlight it deserves across all social media platforms.
Give us a call at 321-255-0900 to schedule an appointment with us.
