How To Go Viral On Social Media

In the field of communication humankind has witnessed three greatest revolutions:

(i) When man learnt to write language: This was the greatest achievement made by man as he started communicating his messages and information by writing, whether he used signs, symbols, pictures or letters (modern day alphabets).

(ii) Invention of Printing Press: The second greatest revolution in communication was witnessed when German inventor Gutenberg invited the printing press in 1439, now the information was not limited to the elite class and the clergymen but it was in the grasp of common man and common man started to think and share ideas more frequently.

(iii) The Digital Space: The third wonder of communication came after 2000s, when digital media was introduced, with the evolution of social media no voice could be suppressed, oppressed or censored and it has changed life of millions of people, ordinary people have become heroes.
However, there still remains a question how to go viral on social media?

Social media provides space to everyone to share their ideas within a circle of friends that use this format. There are three forms to share ideas on different social media platforms including blogs, vlogs and pic-logs. But does every post goes viral on social media or there is something else to be done to go viral?

Mainly social media follows two rules the trends and the spin propaganda.

A trend on social media is an idea, issue or view point that is shared by large number of users and majority starts to give view point on that. A trend is most commonly seen on twitter, for example the #MeTooMovement.

Spin propaganda as defined by Richard Nordquist is a contemporary term for a form of propaganda that relies on deceptive methods of persuasion. In politics, business, and elsewhere, spin is often characterized by exaggeration, euphemisms, inaccuracies, half-truths, and excessively emotional appeals. A person who composes and/or communicates spin is referred to as a spin doctor.

                        The Hashtag Phenomena #

According to The Beginner's Guide to the Hashtag, its widespread use began with Twitter but has extended to other social media platforms. In 2007, developer Chris Messina proposed, in a tweet, that Twitter begin grouping topics using the hash symbol. Twitter initially rejected the idea. But in October 2007, citizen journalists began using the hashtag #SanDiegoFire, at Messina’s suggestion, to tweet updates on a series of forest fires in San Diego. The practice of hashtagging took off; now users and brands employ hashtags to cover serious political events (#Cairo) and entertainment topics (#MileyCyrus) alike.

                   How to Go Viral on Social Media:

Social media expert and serial entrepreneur Deep Petal suggests 10 steps to go viral on social media:

1. Master the target audience.

2. Select the appropriate social media platform.

3. Create content with high engagement.

4. Time content for maximum reach.

5. Boost visibility with advertising.

6. Partner with a social media influencer.

7. Measure performance to create better campaigns in the future.

8. Provide a clear call to action.

9. Generate media attention.

10. Share novel content.