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Cracking the Code: Content Types that Go Viral

From the humorous allure of memes that tickle our funny bones to comprehensive and insightful resource guides that offer valuable knowledge, we'll explore the diverse range of content types that have left an indelible mark on the online landscape.

Any well-done content has the potential to go viral, but some content types are more likely to do so than others. Still, there's no way to predict which will work best for you, so these are listed in no particular order.

1. How-to Guides and Tutorials

A great many searches are made by people trying to learn how to do something. I started BoogieJack.com to provide free web backgrounds to webmasters, but it was the tutorials I later added that put the site “on the map” so to speak, and led to publisher asking me to write a web design book for them.

Including "How to" in the tutorial title has been proven to increase readership. That's because people often enter "how to" at the beginning of a search phrase when they want to learn to do something new. Adding "how to" not only catches their eye in the search results, but it also helps with search engine placement by having a more exact search term in your title.

2. Resource Guides

If you were a Photoshop user and discovered a blog post that listed (and linked to) the top 100 Photoshop resource sites, you would feel like you just found a gold mine—especially if it was up-to-date. Swap "photoshop" for any popular app or topic.

Lists of valuable resources relative to your niche are easy to compile, and when you make them evergreen, it has a good chance of becoming epic over time. Content that is relevant and pulls in readers consistently year after year can have more long term value than a sudden flood that dries out quickly by comparison. Don't be discouraged by content that doesn't immediately open the floodgates, its true value may not be apparent yet.

3. Latest News and Current Events

This won't be evergreen, but it can be huge. You don't even have to be the first to break the news. All you need do is find a way to discuss the news that is different from what others are saying. A few examples:

• Speculate on what the news event will lead to, the potential outcomes.
• Discuss the news event, or an aspect of it, in more detail than others are.
• Come up with your own unique take on the news event.
• Speculate on the possible motivations behind those making the news.
• Use the news event to bolster an argument for or against a position (and be prepared for backlash).
• Explain what the news means for the average person. You might even contact book authors for an email or phone interview (book authors usually welcome publicity, and most like to think their opinion is valued and respected).
• Create a parody of the news event.

Don’t limit yourself to those ideas, there are many other things you can do to catch a ride on the tide of news events. Or, simply refer back to item two in this list and create an authoritative resource guide to all the news coverage on a breaking news event.

4. Lists and Checklists

Do this, do that, do the other thing.These are simple to format, easy to read, and checklists practically write themselves when you know a lot about the topic. Checklists are popular among readers in niches that offer expert advice, so are often shared among like-minded people.

Many lists (as opposed to checklists) are just opinion pieces, so those can be easy to write as well. Lists in general can be popular when they shorten the learning curve for others. Even if you don't know a topic extensively, you can do a little research and come up with a list fairly easily.

5. Success Stories

Social proof sells. Your readers are more inclined to believe they can do something if someone else has already succeeded at it. This is especially true if they can identify with that person in some way.

Try to find an identifiable, preferably broad connection, between your target audience and the person behind your success story. A broad connection will maximum the number of people who identify with the person. If the connection is plausible, enough folks should identify with the success model to give your content a chance to catch fire.

6. Guru Interview, Advice from Experts

You may not yet be one of the top expert in your field. However, you may be able to interview that person. When you find a willing participant, try to make it an in-depth interview, and try to get your expert to reveal something he or she has not shared before. A good, exclusive tidbit can be like striking gold.

As I mentioned earlier, book authors are usually hungry for publicity. Search Amazon or Barnes and Noble for recently released books in your niche and contact the author (or their representative if they use one). Explain that you're publishing an article about [topic] and you'd like to interview them. The interview can be in-person if you can travel to them, or via the phone or even by email.

It will help if you’ve read and can recommend the author's book. Reading the book can help you connect with the author. At the very least, he knows you care enough about your business to go about it in a professional way. Having first-hand knowledge about the book will also help you come up with better questions, which helps your readers.

Let your potential interview subject know you'll include a link to their website or book. You could use an affiliate link, but that can take away from the trust factor. The way I use affiliate links limits any potential loss of trust. I offer two links, one is identified as an affiliate link and the other is identified as a non-affiliated link. I give folks the choice of supporting my content or not. Having said that, the maximum trust factor will be to not have an affiliate link at all.

Sidebar: In case you're wondering why I use affiliate links if it has the potential to lower the trust factor, it's because now that I'm retired and no longer earning my living from this site, the trust factor is less critical to me. I use a few affiliate links to try to cover my costs in running the site. This site has also be around since 1997. It has a long and well-established level of trust already.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

A great many searchers ask questions that have already been asked and answered. That makes this type of content easier to create than many other types because the questions and answers people want to know about are already written. Of course, you have to write your FAQ content in your own words. It's illegal to copy and paste someone else's content as your own.

You don't want to just "me too" it. Yours must stand out from the crowd. To do that it must exceptional in scope and detail. It needs to be a one-stop experience for your readers. Don't give half-answers because it's easy to do. Don't force them to go elsewhere for more complete information. Do put forth the effort make it the best of the best. That's the type of content that gets promoted by others once it's discovered.

8. Beginner's Guides

I'm listing this separately from the how-to guides and tutorials in the first item in this list because many of those are not targeted toward beginners. They also often assume a level of knowledge a beginner doesn't have, and they have a much narrower teaching goal—like my individual HTML and CSS tutorials do as opposed to my full-length books.

You have probably downloaded, read and/or purchased beginner’s guides in the past. Think of all the "Professor Teaches" software guides, or the many Adobe and Microsoft books written by authors not associated with those companies. You don't have to write a book, but targeting beginners with comprehensive guides in popular and/or growing niches can not only catch on with beginners, but could land your guide on resource lists and gain other recommendations and endorsements.

You can also use these guides to "soft sell" the beginners on more advanced guides that you have written to sell, or for affiliate products you recommend, or to invite your readers to join your mailing list to get more information. This approach can win you long-term followers.

Written on the right topic, these can be evergreen in nature, needing only occasional updating, and can help establish you as an expert in your field. Any product that is poorly documented could be the target of a potential beginner's guide. As long as the guide is well-written and valuable, your readers will have reason to believe your additional material or recommendations will be valuable as well.

9. Case Studies

Case studies have emerged as powerful tools that can captivate audiences across various platforms. They highlight real-world examples, demonstrate success stories, and provide valuable insights. This gives them the potential to go viral.

Ideally, a case study should present a relatable problem or challenge and gradually reveal the steps taken to overcome it. This helps create a sense of curiosity and anticipation. By sharing authentic experiences, including real data, testimonials, and interviews, the case study establishes credibility and fosters a sense of reliability among the audience.

The viral potential of a case study lies in the ability to tell compelling stories, draw out emotions, and provide valuable insights. The human element is crucial in making a case study gain traction. Incorporating feelings, personal anecdotes, and relatable characters helps create a connection with the readers, making them more likely to share the content with others.

10. Infographics

In an era of information overload, capturing attention can be a daunting task. This is where infographics come into play with their visually appealing and concise way to communicate information effectively and efficiently, even complex information. Infographics are highly shareable and can convey complex ideas in a digestible manner, making them ideal for capturing attention and driving engagement.

The power of infographics lies in their ability to eliminatr information clutter and distill complex information into its essential elements. This provides clarity and facilitates quick comprehension, increasing the likelihood of being shared.

Infographics offer a unique means of communicating information with impact through their visual appeal, simplified presentation, and even engaging storytelling, giving them the potential to go viral. Be aware that while some may share the page with your infographic, others will copy it and upload it somewhere with acknowledging where it came from. Always include the web address where it came from, and your company name if applicable, in an unobtrusive way that doesn't distract from the infographic.

11. Behind-the-Scenes

This won't be for everyone, but if you can take your audience behind the scenes to offer an exclusive glimpse into a world they are curious about, but don't have access to, the curiosity factor can be a powerful pull. Depending on what you do, it could be your creative process, product development, or day-to-day operations. This type of content fosters transparency and builds a sense of connection and authenticity with your audience.

If this isn't applicable to what you do, maybe you know someone who it could provide such insights. Many years ago I connected with movie producer Bob Logan through a friend (Rexanne Mancini - RIP) who had a small part and was also the music supervisor for his upcoming movie, Yard Sale. In exchange for some publicity in my newsletter he agreed to answer questions from my readers. Even though Hollywood movies had nothing to do with my niche, and I do recommend not straying too far from your lane, this was still a powerful moment for my newseltter. There are always exceptions.

12. Debates or Opinion Pieces

Presenting contrasting viewpoints or engaging in debates around relevant topics can spark discussions and encourage audience participation. This type of content invites different perspectives and encourages social sharing as people express their opinions and engage in dialogue.

Depending on the topic, content of this type can open you up to criticism, attacks, and even physical threats in extreme cases, so think carefully before deciding to go down this path.

Sidebar: I used to have a contest where I'd distort the face of a famous person and visitors would compete for prizes by trying to figure out who it was. One Meg Ryan fan wasn't happy with the way I made her look and threatened to kill me if I didn't take it down immediately. I didn't, and I'm pretty sure he didn't follow through and kill me, but I've been wrong before.

13. Interactive Quizzes

Create interactive quizzes that allow your audience to test their knowledge or gain insights into a specific area of interest. Interactive content tends to generate high levels of engagement and sharing.

The success of an interactive quiz depends on creating compelling and relevant content that resonates with the target audience. By designing quizzes that tap into users' interests, challenges, or aspirations, you can capture their attention and motivate them to participate through a sense of fun, curiosity, or the potential to gain knowledge.

If you collect anonymous responses and analyze the results, you can gain a deeper understanding of you target audience and their preferences, needs, or pain points. This can help guide future content creation so it's more in tune with what your market wants. The best way to get what you want is to give others what they way. It's easier to market to an audience when you have what they want rather than trying to convince them to want what you have.

14. Predictions and Trends

This isn't about predicting an alien invasion or any unknowable information like that. Trends act as roadmaps to the future, providing glimpses into upcoming changes and shifts. Accurate assessment of trends can help us make predictions to help guide our decision making. Predictive content creates anticipation and positions you as a thought leader, encouraging your audience to share your valuable insights. John Naisbitt made a name and fortune for himself with his predictive book Megatrends: Ten New Directions Transforming Our Lives.

Predictions and trends offer valuable insights into consumer behavior, market dynamics, and emerging demands. By sharing insights and analysis of trends, and offering a vision of what the roadmap ahead looks like because of those trends, individuals and businesses can establish themselves as thought leaders and experts in their respective fields.

Humankind has always had a fascination with what lies ahead. Even phony psychics have garnered hundreds of thousands and even millions of followers even though nearly every one of their predictions have been wrong or were simply easy observations to begin with. Useful predictions based on intelligent analysis has far more value, and like the phony psychics' predictions you don't have to be right each time, but you can't be wildly wrong either or you risk losing credibility. That means this may be more of an "experts-only" tactic.

15. Visual Stories

Combine visuals such as images, illustrations, or videos with storytelling techniques to create immersive and visually compelling narratives. In today's digital landscape, visuals have become powerful tools to enhance the presentation of narratives across various topics. They are now indispensable in enhancing the impact and adding depth, resonance, and engagement to the conversations in many industries.

A few tips for selecting images and videos:

• Use high quality visuals that align with the message you're conveying.
• Try to use visuals as part of the story rather than as decorations.
• Emotionally compelling visuals can create a stronger connection, making your storytelling more impactful, if it fits your narrative.
• Use visuals that quickly convey the message effectively without overcomplicating matters.
• When using videos, pay attention to the sequencing and timing of shots. Ensure a smooth flow, appropriate pacing, and well-timed transitions to create a visually engaging and coherent storytelling experience.
• Balance Visuals with Text: Find the right balance between visuals and text. Avoid overwhelming the audience with excessive information or cluttered visuals. Use visuals to complement and reinforce your text, allowing for a harmonious integration of both elements.

Remember, the effective use of images and videos in storytelling can elevate the impact and engagement of your narrative, creating a more immersive and memorable experience.

16. Contests and Giveaways

Organize contests, giveaways, or competitions to encourage audience participation and generate buzz around your brand or content. Contests can be highly shareable as people invite their friends and networks to participate.

Contest prizes needn't be expensive. When I ran the Guess the Celebrity contest I mentioned earlier I used prized donated by vendors who wanted the publicity. The range of products varied greatly from month to month. Along with the fun of playing, that also kept people coming back for each new contest.

The types of contests you can run is nearly unlimited, just be aware of any laws your state may have regarding the administration of a contest. At the time I was running contests, regulations in my state for contests that had no entry fees were very easy to comply with.

17. Myth-Busting or Debunking

Addressing common misconceptions or debunkint myths in your niche can be highly informative and share-worthy. Make sure your debunking efforts are based on credible sources and reputable studies. Anticipate potential counterarguments or alternative explanations that may arise from believers of the myth. Disuading people from their beliefs can be difficult. Be ready.

Many myths or misinformation are rooted in emotional appeals. Acknowledge the emotional aspects but focus on presenting factual evidence to counter the myth. Appeal to logic, reason, and critical thinking to help the audience overcome emotional biases. Approach myth-busting with a respectful and non-confrontational tone. Avoid attacking individuals who believe in the myth.

Adapt your debunking approach to the specific audience you are addressing. Consider their level of knowledge, values, and beliefs to present the information in a way that resonates with them to help facilitate the acceptance of the debunked facts. Remember, the goal of myth-busting is to provide accurate information and encourage critical thinking.

18. Interactive Challenges

Create interactive challenges that encourage your audience to participate. This can foster a sense of community and encourage social sharing. Challenges could include things like:

• Caption contests
• Best photo or video challenge
• Drawing challenge
• Writing challenge
• Best marketing idea
• Best family recipe
• Guess the object: post a close up image of an everyday object and have people guess what it is
• Fill in the blank challenge: post stories with words missing.Have people fill in the blanks to finish the story.
• Random Acts of Kindness: Start a challenge where participants share their acts of kindness or ways they've made a positive impact in their communities. This challenge not only encourages participation but also spreads positivity and inspires others to do good deeds.

By incorporating these or other interactive challenges, you create opportunities for your audience to participate and feel a sense of belonging, mostly without requiring specialized skills. These activities foster participation, connection, and a shared sense of enjoyment among participants. This is a short list with many ideas unexplored, what challenges can you think of?

19. Explainer Videos or Animations

This is along the same lines of the tutorials and beginner guides already listed, so I won't say much about this item. Produce engaging and informative explainer videos or animations that simplify complex concepts or processes. This type of content appeals to visual learners and can effectively communicate information in an entertaining and memorable way.

I will offer one example to show you how effective someone with skills others desire can be. PiXimperfect is a YouTube channel that offers Photoshop tutorials. For those who don't know, Photoshop was a very expensive program when it was stand alone software product, and now access is "rented" by the month, and it still isn't cheap. Given the cost of the program, you'd think the audience for the tutorials would be limited. Doesn't seem so though, the channel has over 4.5 million subscribers.

20. Memorable Quotes and Inspirational Messages

Compiling and sharing impactful quotes or inspiring messages can resonate with audiences and have the potential to be widely shared, especially when presented in an attractive graphical format. This type of content probably wouldn't make a huge impact presented only on a website. The biggest impact would be a social media where random people could pass it on.

I will caution you that content like this has a better chance of not gaining traction than it does of doing well. I suppose that could be said about any of these content types, and I have seen content like this receive well over 100,000 of like and shares. Not too bad for what is probably less than 60 minutes of work.

The key to success here is to have a witty or insightful comment/quote about a current or evergreen topic that is broadly recognized as relevant to users of that social platform—the platform itself is not relevant, it's just the kind of users they attract that is relevant.

21. User-Generated Content (UGC) Campaigns

Encouraging your audience to create and share their own content related to your niche can generate buzz and increase engagement. If you can offer incentives or rewards for participation it will increase participation. That goes for some of the other "participant" ideas in previous list items.

The incentve doesn't have to be expensive. As I did with my Guess the Celebrity contest, you may be able to recruit prize donations from various vendors in exchange for the publicity. Another idea I and others have used very effectively to offer free reports related to your niche. The free report should be good enough to sell so as not to disappoint. Once made, giving away a digital product is highly cost effective for you. You could even buy PLR (private label rights) content, usually very inexpensive, and rewrite it in your own voice and adding your own insights to make it better, and give that away.

Or, use an AI tool to do the writing for you. It will still need your touch, just like PLR, but you get the bulk of the work done for you in both cases. Just be sure to fact check anything the AI says because they do put forth misinformation—another name for lies. Paul Myers wrote about a lawyer who used AI to bolster his case, and cited a court ruling as precedent for his argument. Trouble is, there was no such ruling. The AI made it up. As Paul said, the judge was not impressed. The point is, AI lies, so fact check what you get from for veracity.

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