7 Secrets of Viral Facebook Posts

What’s the one thing that excites every Facebook page owner? When a post goes viral! Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen very often. But you can improve the chances of it happening by:

• understanding why people actually share content
  
  
• learning the 7 secrets of highly shared content
  
  
• taking action by posting shareable content

Why do people share content?

According a New York Times study on the “Psychology of Sharing”, people share content for the following reasons:

• To learn

  73% say they process information more deeply, thoroughly and thoughtfully when they share it.
  
  

• To inform and to influence

  49% say sharing allows them to inform others of products they care about and potentially change opinions or encourage action.
  
  

• To help

  94% carefully consider how the share will be useful to the recipient.
  
  

• To show identity

  68% share to give people a better sense of who they are and what they care about.
  
  

• To connect

  78% share information online because it lets them stay connected to people they may not otherwise stay in touch with. And 73% share information because it helps them connect with others who share their interests.
  
  

• To participate

  69% share information because it allows them to feel more involved in the world.
  
  

• To lend support

  84% share because it is a way to support causes or issues they care about.

7 secrets of highly shared Facebook posts

A Facebook post that is highly shareable does at least one of the following:

1. Gives

   Offers, discounts, deals or contests everyone can benefit from — not just one subgroup of your friends.
   
   

2. Advises

   Tips, especially about problems everyone encounters — for example, how to get a job or how to beat the flu.
   
   

3. Warns

   Warnings about dangers that could affect anyone.
   
   

4. Amuses

   Funny pictures and quotes — as long as they’re not offensive to any group. Sometimes the humour shouldn’t be strong or edgy because it needs to appeal to a general audience.
   
   

5. Inspires

   Inspirational quotes.
   
   

6. Amazes

   Amazing pictures or facts.
   
   

7. Unites

   Posts that act as a flag to carry or a way to brag about your membership in a group that’s doing well.

SOURCE: Post Planner