Going Viral

Making a viral post happens only once in a blue moon - meaning it happens very rarely or almost never. It is infrequent and uncommon, emphasizing its scarcity.

Being a blogger, writing, and communicating what's in my mind has been my business since time immemorial. And I have to admit that it is a hit or miss thing ... mostly my wins are few and far between ... or should I say erratic ... and sporadic?

So when yesterday's post: Interesting Discussion In Tawag Ng Tanghalan did a merry tinkling in the audience response (views 275,465, interaction - 786, reactions - 511, shares 108, comments - 79), it was heartening, comforting, and rewarding all at the same time.

This is the second time I have experienced engagement of this magnitude ... so pardon the euphoria. It is intoxicating.

I usually average 2000 views per post, and I am already jubilant with that. During lean days, it can even go below 1000, and it is in these moments that I ask myself ... what am I doing? Am I just wasting my time here?

A dismal flop in readers' support can be frustrating. The only consolation I have that keeps me going is the realization that writing makes me happy, it gives me some sense of fulfillment ... and it has a cathartic effect (a kind of release) on me.

Besides, once you have the printer's ink in your blood (no matter how lukewarm the reader's response was), you're hooked.

Indeed, I love writing, and it is that passion that makes it deeply personal and becomes a permanent part of my identity. I described it as some kind of a vocation rather than just a job.

The question now is ... if there is a tested recipe to entice my target audience to look and see if there is more than meets the eye in my posts? It is kind of crazy, but is there a surefire formula to maintain the quality of my post while also luring readers to peek and see what's inside?

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed prescription to make the post go viral all the time.

Virality (mushrooming and amplifying a post) often involves a mix of strategy, creativity, and an element of luck or "right place, right time" that is difficult to predict.

However, experts say, there are several key elements and best practices that can significantly increase the chances of your content being widely shared:

Evoke Strong Emotions: Content that sparks intense emotions like joy, surprise, awe, inspiration, or even anger is far more likely to be shared. People share what they care about.

Highly Relatable and Authentic: Content that connects with people's everyday experiences, struggles, or desires performs well. Authenticity often beats high production quality.

Provide Value: The post should offer something useful, whether it's entertainment, practical information (life hacks, tips), or a unique insight that makes the viewer feel smart for sharing it (social currency).

Visually Engaging: In a fast-paced online environment, high-quality images, short-form videos, infographics, and memes capture attention more effectively than plain text. Visual hooks are crucial within the first few seconds.

Easy to Consume and Share: Content should be simple, with a clear and concise message. Ensure that share buttons are prominent and the process for sharing is seamless.

Leverage Current Trends: Tapping into trending topics, challenges, or memes can give your content an initial boost in visibility, provided it aligns with your brand's voice.

Strategic Timing and Promotion: Posting when your target audience is most active and using relevant hashtags can help the content get initial traction. Collaborating with influencers can also help amplify your reach.

Encourage Interaction: Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) that invites users to comment, share, or participate (e.g., "tag a friend," "let us know in the comments"). Responding to comments fuels further engagement.

Ultimately, the best approach is to focus on consistently creating quality, audience-focused content and use data analytics to refine your strategy over time.

Each post is an opportunity to learn what resonates with your specific community.