Creating Different Types of Viral Content - More Types of Viral Content

Let's move on to “The Controversy.” This is just the opposite of the Manifesto. Take something that's common knowledge in your niche and stand it on its head. Make sure your refutation is well-written, though, because people WILL attack it. Kasteler uses as his example an article written by Warren Buffet in August 2011 that appeared in the New York Times, titled Stop Coddling the Super-Rich.  This can be used to good effect in some unusual ways; it can let you sneak in something very unexpected. 

I'm tempted to call this approach “The Controversy That Isn't.” That's where you take a seemingly controversial statement and, through rational argument, make it sound reasonable. Dr. Nerdlove wrote a piece titled Don't Date Geek Girls, which you would think goes against all the rules for nerdy dating. He posted it in mid-September of this year; he's since gotten 115 likes, 40 Tweets, 4 +1s...and 61 comments. That's not bad for his niche at all. The point he tried to make is that every male nerd has in his head this image of the perfect Geek Girl...and it keeps him from ever trying to get out of his comfort zone to date girls that aren't exclusively geeks in exactly the same way he is. It's not entirely controversial when presented that way...but it certainly makes you think.

Another great article idea around which you can build viral content is “The Promise.” Tell your readers that you can show them how, step-by-step, they can accomplish something they want to achieve in a relatively short period of time. Again, you need to know your audience well, so you know what they want to accomplish. Do they want to improve a skill? Get healthier? Manage their time better? You can even build an entire article series around it, as the author of 31 Days to An Organized Home did.

Here's an idea that marketers use all the time: “The Urgent Attention-Grabber.” It could be a small thing that most of your audience is likely to overlook, but important enough to deserve attention. Try to both pique your readers' curiosity and instill a sense of urgency with the title. A title like “Five Risks Your Kids Take Online” will grab just about any parent, and if they find the article worthwhile, they'll forward it to other parents. Would you read an article titled “Seven Ways You're Scaring Away Customers Right Now”? Of course you would. On a more positive note, how about an article on “The Best Workshops You Don't Want to Miss in 2012”? Give the impression that your reader will miss something important, urgent, and downright time-critical if they don't read your article. And make sure you deliver!

That's all I have room for now. Next week, I'll discuss more ideas you can use to create viral content on your website. Remember, none of these ideas will guarantee you an instant success; they must be well-written and well-executed, so be prepared to think, work, and research. With all of the fluff that exists online, though, your readers will be grateful for giving them some meat to sink their teeth into. Good luck!