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4 Key Reasons Your Content Doesn’t Go Viral

When you get serious about online marketing you will inevitably learn about the importance of content marketing across various platforms.

Photo: Amanda Hyer, Foxtail Marketing; Source: Courtesy Photo
Photo: Amanda Hyer, Foxtail Marketing; Source: Courtesy Photo

When you get serious about online marketing you will inevitably learn about the importance of content marketing across various platforms.

But keeping up with the consistency you know you need and the amount of content you’ve decided to publish can be overwhelming. When it’s time to put together your content calendar for the week or month, you’ve run out of time, again.

Tomorrow’s a new day, so why not put it off a bit more? After all, your social media followers aren’t really sitting on the edge of their sofas waiting for your next product launch update or behind-the-scenes snapshots of employees and customers, are they?

The problem is, they don’t even think about your company as a result. Content on your company website, blog, and key social media networks is vitally important to growing your brand and gaining more traffic (and more customers). Even if you own a brick-and-mortar business, if you don’t create content that’s capable of going viral, it doesn’t matter how many photos you take or posts you write.

 

How to Keep Your Content From Going Viral

Of course, no business wants their content to fall flat and not go viral. But there are bad habits that you may mistakenly make and they’re the same actions that keep you from creating potentially viral content. Here’s a look at four culprits:

 

  1. Share content inconsistently.

    In order for content to go viral, you need a solid social media following. To attain this you need to consistently build your audience. This happens by tweeting, sharing, and posting on a consistent schedule. Instead, create a content calendar, brainstorm ideas and how you’ll incorporate and refresh current content. This essential component of your marketing plan will help you create a more cohesive message that resonates. But, that’s not really what you want, is it?

  2. Copy content from someone else.

    Let’s face it. You probably look at other industry and trade blogs to get ideas for your own. Maybe you’ve gone as far as to duplicate someone else content. That’s boring (and in most cases, copyright infringement … a serious legal issue)! For content to go viral, you need to say something relevant and original (or with your own twist). Surprise your audience with new facts and compelling stories. This is what gets shared.

  3. Keep it way too simple, text will do.

    A few lines of text posted on your LinkedIn page is enough to get attention. Don’t forget to ensure your content is visually stimulating and memorable. When was the last time you posted a video? Do you use an interesting photo with each piece of content you post?

  4. Post it and forget it.

    A final mistake you are likely making is a lack of interaction. Do you talk to your social media followers? Do you respond to their interactions and include them in your conversations? Do you ask for a share? If not, take this vital step to ensure your content gains the attention it deserves.

 

“Going viral can change the life of any blog, creating a near instant sensation,” says Matt Dearing, a business owner who knows the value of viral content. “It’s not a fluke, but a well-worked out marketing plan that gets attention.” 

Are you actually hoping to create content that gets attention? After all, that only means increasing the potential of conversions and new business.

 

This article has been edited and condensed.

Amanda Hyer is a Content Manager with Foxtail Marketing. When she isn’t creating amazing content, she enjoys cooking and kickboxing.

 

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