As the Social Media Guy: I want my website to go viral. How do I do that?

• Dec 9th, 2008
• Posted by jhagy
• Posted in Social Media, Spring Creek Group

A:
Viral is a term that’s easily misused: it can’t be planned, and it can’t be predicted. it can only be hoped for. Besides, a site won’t go “viral,” only content can do that. Be careful not to confuse compelling content for a sticky website.

Oh, and your website will not be getting you the traffic you covet. Your content will. So let’s concentrate on that. What you want is a lot of traffic, and fast. For that, you need to do something unique, memorable, and sharable. Easy, right? Of course it is!

Here are ten surefire ways to attract a lot of online attention:

1.
Conceive a baby with someone famous, and talk about it to anyone who’ll listen. If you can do this, odds are you need a publicist, not just a social media plan, and she’ll handle your online brand for you. (Federline)

2.
Position very young puppies and kittens in front of your webcam (replace them frequently, you don’t want any fuzzy animals older than 8 weeks). (Shiba Inus)

3.
Do something hilarious involving a video game and/or a paintball gun.(Penny Arcade)

4.
Write lyrics referencing a current event that fit perfectly with the melody of a 1980s top ten hit, then sing your song badly and post the video. (Chocolate Rain, et al)

5.
Leak company documents referring to impending layoffs, and use really cruel language to describe the PR you’re going to unleash on the day of the mass-exodus. (Carat)

6.
Teach an infant to swear. Post the video. (Anonymous parents and/or Wil Ferrell)

7.
Give people something they really need, but didn’t even know was possible. Go back to school if necessary. (Nate Silver)

8.
Be the most interesting guy in your industry—it helps to be good looking, but not so good looking that you’re intimidating. (there are as many examples as there are industries)

9.
Perform an extraordinary and anonymous act of heroism or charity, then decline interviews until three days after the event. (Secret Santas, subway heroes)

10.
Take a picture of something freaky, like this possibly demonic child. Never leave your house without your camera.
(see flickr)

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