In order to improve my skill at creating content, I read a popular book titled Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger.
So many successful bloggers are using the ideas presented in this book, so I tried to do the same, hoping that I can create more viral content.
It’s a best-seller, and it’s definitely easy to read since it provides lots of stories to explain the ideas.
So, here you go.
1. People are more likely to share information that makes them looks cool
We all have that friend who knew things before anybody else.
Usually, he’s perceived as the hip and cool guy in our social circle, because he know things.
That’s why some people love to join exclusive club or communities.
It makes them know things that the public don’t.
Having a privilege to have an access to an exclusive information will makes you looks…exclusive.
2. Exclusive information are usually cool
By having an exclusive information, you’ll be an important person, just like the President of the US.
You know things that’s important (at least to some degree) that may benefit other people.
Back in the days, people who have a useful information are spared and protected from enemies.
3. A trigger is needed in order for people to take action
A good ad is not enough, it has to be placed in the right place.
Imagine if Nike were to create a spectacular ad that can make people want to buy their shoes right the moment they saw the ad, but they placed it on airplanes.
Sure, people love the ad, but they’re not going to buy the shoes, why?
Because when people see an airplane, that means they’re most likely at the airport, waiting to travel to somewhere else.
They’re not in the mood to buy shoes.
Place the ad in malls, streets, or gyms. That would have been different.
4. Emotion inducing information tends to get shared like crazy
It’s obvious that people loves to share funny videos they found on YouTube.
In general, we like to share content that appeals to us, whether they’re making us laugh, or cry.
Bland information doesn’t get shared so much because it would not boost our ‘coolness’.
We like to make other people laugh too, and we also like to make other people feel the same emotion we just experienced.
5. Make the information public to reach out to more people without spending more money
This is the reason shopping bags or gym bags have logos on them.
It tells other people that you’re using their products and not afraid to show it to other people.
Let’s talk about gym bags.
People will bring their gym bag to almost every where, because they’re proud of it.
Gym bag is the perfect example of this matter, since it tells other people that you’re working out, that you’re doing something positive.
That you’re fit and cool and…not lazy.
6. People in general will do what others do
Monkey see, monkey do.
That is the same with human, we do what others do.
It’s an instinct deeply ingrained in our brains as a mean to survive in this harsh nature.
By imitating other people, we save some of our time, resource, and energy to find out what works and what doesn’t.
Other people are doing it, so it must be good and safe.
7. A truly useful and practical information will influence people to share it with their loved ones
People love to share hacks or DIY tutorials that can make our life easier (although we just saved them and never even bothered to try them).
It’s similar to the exclusive information, you’ll get social currency by sending people something that they might need, whether it’s a video on being more productive or an article on how to save money for young people.
8. Stories are perceived as more authentic and believable
Which information looks more authentic, an ad you saw on TV, or a Facebook post written by your colleagues?
So, instead of writing reviews in a technical manner, try to write it from your personal experience.
Write it as if you’re telling your friend your experience on using that product.
9. The details of stories may be forgotten, but the core messages are usually unforgettable
This is true for jokes and riddles, people usually unintentionally changes the details of the jokes or riddles, but the core stays the same.
The story itself is just a vessel for the message.
10. Pair the story with relevant products or you won’t get any results
You created a viral video on YouTube…about dogs doing funny things.
It gets 20 million views yet your website didn’t get any traffic from it, why?
Because your website is about forex trading, you dumbass!
It’s not relevant at all, so why people bother to visit your website?
If your website is about dog products instead, it would have been different. Get it?
Should You Read This Book?
If you’re a content marketer (or marketer in general) who needs to get amazing results with little budget, buy this book.
If you’re anything else, no.