What Makes Content Viral? A del.icio.us Analysis |
In a recent post, the blog masterminds over at Problogger share with us an intriguing blog analysis, revealing elements of content that make it viral and worthy of social bookmarking.
Using the premier social bookmarking site del.icio.us, Darren Rowse breaks down the titles of popular posts on the popular post page to find common concepts and elements that drive massive traffic.
Here are some of his findings:
- High Level Advice, Practical Tips and Clear Results
Post Example: Monday Master Class: How to Schedule your Writing Like a Professional Writer.
Three crucial elements that make for a strong how-to resource. The title clearly indicates authority, practicality and the eventual goal of the article’s information.
Viral Ranking: 8/10.
- Emotive Language
Post Example: Turning Firefox into a WA Assault Kit.
Even a subtle word choice can make or break a title’s effectiveness. Emotive language gives your article’s title a sense of urgency and importance. It should beg to be read!
Viral Ranking: 7/10.
- The Cool Factor
Post Example:
While the word cool is essentially ambiguous, in a viral title, the cool factor is something that is striking and out-of-the-ordinary. Remarkable or exotic places, people, animals and technologies are incredibly powerful in creating blog excitement.
Viral Ranking: 7/10.
- Lists
Post Example: 20 Things that Culturally Define
Lists are among the most popular type of blog post on social media sites today. They’re quick to scan through, entertaining to read and very accessible. Having numbers in your title also informs the reader just how much is involved in your post. (Usually even numbers work best.)
Viral Rating: 9/10.
- The Tech/Geek Factor
Post Example: Twitxr.com - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
As Technorati users already know, the world’s most popular blogs are technology and gadget oriented, drawing readers into innovative, exciting and sometimes baffling exercises in human ingenuity. Since hardcore bloggers and bookmarkers are usually well-adapted with high-tech language, tools and culture, the tech/geek factor can be a crucial element to crafting successful posts.
Viral Rating: 9/10.
- Resources
Post Example: The Short Story Library – American Literature.
Identifying your post as a valuable resource is important if you want your work to be referenced on multiple occasions and actively shared among your prospective audience. It also ties into establishing your authority on the subject matter at hand.
Viral Rating: 8/10.
- Benefits and Free Stuff
Post Example: Ditch your Cable Company with Free, Legal Alternatives
Listing the benefits of reading your post in your title will immediately get attention and effectively communicate your article’s intents and purposes. ‘Free’ is always a popular terms as well, but you have to deliver on your promise!
Viral Rating: 7/10.
- Debate/Controversy
Post Example: The Atheist Blogger
Nothing attracts attention like good controversy or heated discussion, especially when they cover religious, political or social issues. While courting controversy can certainly get you attention, you don’t want to go overboard and intentionally offend people. You want to encourage reasonable and rational debates after all. Just remember to back up your eye-catching titles with relevant information and honest citations, facts, and/or thoughtful arguments.
Viral Rating: 9/10.
Thanks, Darren, for this fabulously thorough del.icio.us popular posts title analysis!
Be sure to check out our post on Crafting Viral Titles for more suggestions on creating captivating headlines for your blog posts.
Come back to Apollo’s Blog to hear more industry news, strategies and developments that shake the social media world. And if you’re looking for a web agency for your new company website, or if you’re looking to position yourself with a company blog, contact an Apollo web strategist today.
