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It is always desirable to create content that goes viral. One of the catches to creating viral content is that it is not really possible to know exactly what will go viral and what won't. That being said, it is possible to design content that has a good likelihood of going viral, and take measures that will encourage people to share it. Viral content can be viral on one social media channel and not on all channels. However, the best viral content starts on one social media channel, then goes on to others to be shared even more. So, what are the key factors that cause content to go viral? And how can you use that information to create your own viral content for your mobile marketing campaigns? Here are 13 lessons that you can apply when creating content to encourage it to go viral.

What Do You Need to Know About Viral Content?

1. Brands with Loyal Followers Have More Viral Content

It is sort of a catch-22, but if you have loyal followers, you will have more viral content. However, you need to build relationships with your followers for them to become loyal. But, since both loyal followers and viral content are beneficial, you should be working to build both marketing avenues.

2. The Brand Helps Determine What Goes Viral

In a recent study, 63 percent of respondents queried stated that the brand behind the content on social media influences whether they will repost the content. Another metric showed that 45 percent would not repost content for a brand that they had a bad experience with.

3. Sponsored Posts Do Better than Traditional Ads

Sponsored posts are posts written by bloggers that use products in the post some way. The content is controlled primarily by the blogger under rules that the sponsor provides. These posts come across to subscribers as more "real" than traditional ads.

4. A Lot of Content Goes Viral More than a Little Content

Buzzfeed is the champion of this philosophy. They produce mega tons of content. Not all of it goes viral, but enough does that everyone knows Buzzfeed as a brand that goes viral.

5. Viral Content is Bite-Sized

The majority of viral content is bite-sized, quick little tidbits that are easy to share. This reason is why so many memes and videos go viral.

6. Know Your Audience

Like all marketing, you need to know your audience extremely well. By creating detailed personas, you can give your followers the user experience they are looking for. The more detailed your personas are, the better you will be able to fit your content to your audience.

7. Know Your Channels

Certain types of content are popular on each social media channel. Know what works on each one. Remember that many people view mobile content on their smartphones which have a small screen. Make sure your content is visible for that size screen.

8. Track, Analyze, Tweak

Track your content's performance, analyze its behavior and repeat what works. Tweak what doesn't work.

9. Make Content Easy to Share

Put share buttons, links and icons on highly visible areas of your content. Don't make people work to find them.

10. Add a Call-to-Action

Ask your followers to share your content. Tell them exactly what to do to in order to give them an incentive to share. Put a CTA on each piece of content.

11. Don't Be Afraid to Be Outrageous

Sometimes, you need to do something a bit "out there" to get people's attention. Be a bit crazy, manic or whatever it takes to give your followers a jolt.

12. Audience Participation with Incentive

Asking your audience to be part of the viral phenomenon gives them a reason to join in. You can also offer an incentive for people who meet specific parameters for added leverage.

13. Cute Sells

There is no question that cute animals and babies sell. That is why cat videos are so popular. If you can include one of these cute factors, you are ahead. If not, then figure out a way to make the content resonate with your audience. Make it "real" to them.

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