Viral Marketing Framework
Make content humans want
The Viral Marketing Framework is based on the idea that content might be king, but distribution is queen. It involves creating content that people want to share, using obsessive measurement and analytics to optimize distribution. The framework consists of several key principles, including keeping it short, ensuring the story has a human aspect, giving people the chance to engage, and letting them react.
- Keep it short and sweet
- Ensure the story has a human aspect
- Give people the chance to engage and react
- Create Shareable ContentCreate content that people want to share, such as lists, images, and persuasive headlines.Pro tipUse A/B testing and analytics to optimize distributionWarningAvoid prioritizing SEO over human engagement
- Optimize for DistributionUse obsessive measurement and analytics to optimize distribution, such as tracking social shares and engagement.Pro tipUse data to inform content creation and distributionWarningAvoid relying too heavily on automation
BuzzFeed's Success
BuzzFeed's focus on creating shareable content and optimizing for distribution led to its success as a media giant
OutcomeIncreased engagement and shares
Prioritizing SEO over Human Engagement
Focusing too much on SEO can lead to content that is not engaging or shareable
Not Using Data to Inform Content Creation
Not using data to inform content creation can lead to content that is not effective
The framework was popularized by Jon Steinberg, president of BuzzFeed, who explained the first principles of virality, including keeping it short and ensuring the story has a human aspect.
Source · ESSAY
First Principles Thinking