Consider this: You post a clever video on social media that catches fire, generating millions of views and shares. You bask in the glow of viral fame, but reality sets in. Your next post flops, and you wonder, Was that just luck? The truth is, there’s a science to creating viral content. It all starts with understanding what is viral marketing—a strategy that leverages word-of-mouth and social sharing to spread a message rapidly and organically.
Understanding what makes something shareable can help you replicate that success and grow your audience. This guide will explore the elements of viral content and how to create a social media campaign that gets people talking.
Table Of Contents
- Importance of Viral Marketing
- 15+ Tips on How to Create Viral Social Media Campaigns
- 15 Examples of Viral Social Media Campaigns
- 10 Content Ideas for Viral Social Media Campaigns
- Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Importance of Viral Marketing
Viral Marketing: The Low-Budget, High-Impact Strategy
Viral marketing is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies, as it requires only a small budget to create the initial content and then relies on the potential of social networks to spread the message.
Viral Marketing: The Mass Outreach Approach
Viral marketing has the potential to reach a massive audience in a short amount of time, making it ideal for small businesses that want to increase brand awareness and reach a larger customer base.
Viral Marketing: The Engagement Booster
Viral marketing encourages people to interact with the content, share it with others, and engage with the brand, leading to higher engagement and brand loyalty.
Viral Marketing: The Long-Term Influence Tool
Unlike traditional marketing campaigns with a short shelf life, viral marketing can potentially create a lasting impact on the audience's minds. People are more likely to remember a message shared with them by someone they trust.
Viral Marketing: The SEO Enhancer
Viral marketing can also improve a company's search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, as the increased traffic and engagement from viral content can help boost a website's search engine ranking.
Viral Marketing: The Conversion Catalyst
Viral marketing has the potential to generate a high volume of leads, as people are more likely to take action when they see a message shared by someone they trust.
Viral Marketing: The Brand Reputation Builder
Companies can enhance their brand reputation by creating compelling and shareable content. People are more likely to view a brand positively when others share it.
15+ Tips on How to Create Viral Social Media Campaigns
1. Leverage Crayo AI for Effortless Video Creation
Crayo AI streamlines the production of short videos, allowing users to generate multiple clips simultaneously. This tool automatically provides captions, effects, background audio, and music, simplifying editing. With Crayo, users can quickly transform ideas into polished short videos. The platform also offers a free clip creator tool, requiring no account setup, enabling users to focus on creativity without barriers.
2. Gather Customer Insights to Inform Campaigns
Understanding your audience is critical to effective marketing. Existing customers are valuable sources of insights, helping brands refine messaging and improve targeting. Surveys, feedback, and social listening reveal preferences and pain points, guiding content creation and increasing engagement. This approach also fosters trust, as customers appreciate being heard. For example, Salesforce uses social monitoring to engage users and gather insights that inform their marketing strategy.
3. Align Budget Models Based on Campaign Goals
Clearly defining budget parameters is essential for effective resource allocation. One-time campaigns benefit from set budgets for quick execution, while ongoing initiatives require retainer agreements for flexible spending. Understanding the goals of your marketing efforts allows for optimal budget planning, ensuring resources are used efficiently to maximize impact.
4. Conduct a Brand Check Before Launching Campaigns
Ensuring brand consistency is crucial when launching new marketing initiatives. A comprehensive review before execution helps align teams on presentation, tone, and visual style. This process minimizes the risk of missteps that could harm brand perception and allows for greater creative exploration by establishing clear guidelines. Regular brand checks help maintain alignment both online and offline.
5. Leverage Partnerships to Expand Reach and Build Trust
Collaborating with influencers and other brands can enhance credibility and amplify messaging. For example, working with trusted voices in your industry helps introduce your brand to new audiences and boosts engagement. Additionally, co-branded campaigns create unique touchpoints that resonate with consumers and foster sharing, further extending reach. Integrating partnership strategies into your marketing plans can unlock valuable growth opportunities.
6. Develop a Creative Content Strategy for Impactful Campaigns
Successful marketing efforts are built on clear objectives and innovative ideas. Outlining specific goals, target audiences, and key messages helps guide creative development and ensures alignment with campaign aims. This strategic approach fosters original concepts that capture attention and drive action while providing measurable KPIs to evaluate effectiveness and optimize future initiatives.
7. Capitalize on Trending Topics to Boost Brand Visibility
Engaging with current cultural conversations can enhance brand relevance and reach. However, it’s critical to approach trend-jacking thoughtfully to avoid appearing disingenuous. Creating content that aligns with your brand values and speaks to audience interests fosters authentic engagement. Additionally, leveraging both organic and paid strategies can maximize the impact of trend-focused initiatives, expanding reach and driving conversions.
8. Utilize Interactive Content to Drive Engagement and Collect Data
Encouraging audience participation through interactive experiences fosters deeper connections and provides valuable insights. Whether it’s quizzes, polls, or AR features, integrating interactive elements into your marketing strategy enhances engagement and sharing potential. Additionally, the data collected helps inform future initiatives and personalize outreach, further improving targeting and effectiveness.
9. Incorporate Emotional Storytelling to Strengthen Brand Connections
Content that elicits emotional responses fosters stronger audience connections and encourages sharing. Whether nostalgia, humor, or empathy, integrating emotional storytelling into your marketing efforts can enhance engagement and brand recall. This approach also provides opportunities for user-generated content campaigns, as audiences often seek to create and share their interpretations of moving content.
10. Create Comprehensive Campaign Plans for Smooth Execution
Marketing initiatives require meticulous planning to ensure all elements are accounted for and align with objectives. Outlining timelines, budgets, and creative guidelines helps teams stay organized and focused. Regular check-ins also allow flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances or emerging opportunities. This strategic approach fosters collaboration and optimizes resource use to maximize campaign impact.
11. Prioritize Post-Campaign Analysis to Measure Effectiveness
Evaluating marketing performance is essential to inform future efforts. Establishing clear KPIs before launch allows for comprehensive measurement of success across multiple channels and touchpoints. Analyzing results helps identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, while also providing valuable insights to optimize targeting, creative, and budget allocation. This data-driven approach enhances future campaign planning and maximizes ROI.
12. Adopt a Test-and-Learn Mindset to Drive Innovation
Embracing experimentation fosters creative exploration and uncovers new opportunities for engagement. Whether it’s testing new platforms, ad formats, or outreach strategies, adopting a trial-and-error approach helps teams learn and iterate. Additionally, establishing clear measurement parameters for each test ensures valuable insights are captured to inform future initiatives and optimize resource allocation.
13. Integrate Sustainability Messaging to Appeal to Conscious Consumers
Today’s consumers prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, making it essential for brands to communicate their efforts. However, it’s critical to approach this messaging authentically to avoid backlash. Highlighting specific initiatives and integrating sustainability into core brand values fosters trust and resonates with eco-conscious audiences. This approach also presents opportunities for creative storytelling that engages consumers and encourages sharing.
14. Utilize Personalization to Enhance Marketing Relevance
Consumers expect tailored experiences, and personalized marketing helps meet this demand. From customized email outreach to targeted social ads, leveraging data to inform individual preferences improves engagement and conversion rates. Additionally, personalization fosters brand loyalty, as consumers appreciate relevant interactions that enhance their shopping journey. This approach provides clear ROI benefits and valuable insights to optimize future outreach efforts further.
15. Incorporate User-Generated Content to Build Trust and Engagement
Encouraging audiences to create and share content fosters community and strengthens brand connections. UGC serves as an authentic endorsement that enhances credibility and encourages trial. Additionally, integrating UGC into marketing initiatives provides fresh creative assets and helps reduce costs. Brands can further amplify UGC by featuring it on their channels, creating a sense of inclusion that encourages sharing and engagement.
16. Utilize Multi-Channel Strategies to Maximize Campaign Reach
Today’s consumers engage with brands across multiple touchpoints, making adopting an integrated marketing approach essential. Coordinating efforts across channels ensures consistent messaging and branding while optimizing audience targeting. Additionally, leveraging digital and traditional platforms creates unique engagement opportunities that enhance brand visibility and foster trust. This comprehensive approach maximizes campaign impact and ROI.
17. Prioritize Authenticity to Foster Trust and Engagement
Today’s consumers are savvy and can quickly detect disingenuous marketing efforts. To build trust and credibility with audiences, brands must prioritize authenticity in their communications and actions. This includes transparent messaging around pricing, promotions, and sustainability efforts, and aligning with relevant causes. Creating a culture of authenticity internally and externally fosters cohesive brand experiences that resonate with consumers.
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15 Examples of Viral Social Media Campaigns
1. Duolingo – Duo the Owl Gets “Cancelled”
What Happened
A whirlwind of confusion erupted on TikTok, where users claimed Duolingo’s beloved mascot, Duo the Owl, had met an untimely demise.
Tactics Used
- The campaign leaned heavily into absurdity, employing fresh and unexpected humor.
- It also utilized trending audio and a self-aware narrative that drew users in.
- Memes and Gen Z slang were cleverly integrated into the campaign, ensuring the humor resonated with younger audiences.
Impact
- The campaign generated massive engagement on TikTok, with over 1.8 million likes and 27 million views.
- It also helped boost app downloads and shares.
2. CeraVe x Michael Cera (Super Bowl Ad)
What Happened
Before the Super Bowl, CeraVe teased an ad featuring actor Michael Cera. The catch? Many thought he was behind the brand’s skincare formula.
Tactics Used
- The campaign contributed to Cera's similarity to CeraVe.
- Before launch, it seeded mystery on Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok, creating buzz around the ad.
Impact
- The campaign generated millions of views and widespread conversation online before the ad even aired.
3. Heinz Arabia – Ketchup Insurance
What Happened
Heinz Arabia offered “insurance” for people who spilled ketchup on their clothes.
Tactics Used
The campaign tapped into a hyper-relatable problem and used humor to connect with audiences. It also featured an interactive CTA on Instagram and TikTok, encouraging users to participate.
Impact
The campaign went viral, generating over 5.3 million views on Instagram Reels and 7.7 million on TikTok.
4. e.l.f. Cosmetics – Power Grip Primer
What Happened
e.l.f. Cosmetics launched a campaign for its Power Grip Primer featuring influencers Joey King and Lucien Laviscount.
Tactics Used
- The campaign utilized trending sounds and behind-the-scenes content that felt organic to the social media conversation.
- Influencer collaborations were a key part of the strategy.
Impact
- The campaign generated 5.9 million views on Instagram Reels, surpassing the produced ad's engagement rates.
5. Airbnb – Pixar’s “Up” House
What Happened
Airbnb built and listed a real-life version of the house from the beloved Pixar film “Up.”
Tactics Used
- The campaign leveraged nostalgia for Pixar and the “Up” brand, connecting with audiences emotionally.
- It also featured TikTok tours of the property, which helped it go viral online.
Impact
- The campaign generated massive media coverage and helped boost brand love on social media.
6. Tinder – “It Starts With a Swipe”
What Happened
Tinder’s new branding campaign featured real couples sharing their first messages and love stories.
Tactics Used
- The campaign focused on authentic storytelling, using visually aesthetic videos and a human-centered approach to connect with audiences.
Impact
- The campaign generated high emotional engagement, helping foster brand trust and shareability among audiences.
7. Visit Oslo – “Is it Even a City?”
What Happened
In a humorous twist, Visit Oslo’s tourism campaign featured locals roasting their city.
Tactics Used
- To engage viewers, the campaign used self-deprecating humor, reverse psychology, and unfiltered commentary.
Impact
- The campaign went viral, generating over 7 million views and engaging audiences globally.
8. McDonald’s – “As Featured In”
What Happened
McDonald’s launched a campaign featuring menu items that have appeared in pop culture and movies.
Tactics Used
- The campaign leveraged nostalgia and an AR lens on Snapchat to engage audiences. It also connected with Gen Z, who value the brand’s cultural relevance.
Impact
- The campaign generated widespread conversation and helped reinforce McDonald’s connection to pop culture.
9. Dove – “The Face of 10”
What Happened
Dove’s campaign addressed the impact of beauty filters on 10-year-old girls, featuring real kids and their unfiltered faces.
Tactics Used
- The campaign used emotional storytelling to spark conversation about beauty standards and the need for filter regulation.
Impact
- The campaign went viral, generating millions of views and shares, critical acclaim, and award recognition.
10. Liquid Death – Anti-Sugar Spoof
What Happened
Liquid Death launched a parody ad that mocked sugary drinks and their health implications.
Tactics Used
- The campaign used a satirical tone to engage audiences, connecting with health-conscious consumers and Gen Z.
Impact
- The campaign generated viral traction and helped reinforce Liquid Death’s punk branding and anti-establishment messaging.
11. Fireball Whiskey – #FireballFriday
What Happened
Fireball Whiskey established a weekly social media ritual where fans share their Fireball moments on Fridays.
Tactics Used
- The campaign used a hashtag strategy to encourage user-generated content and foster community.
Impact
- The campaign helped strengthen brand connections with fans and created a habit-forming ritual around Fireball.
12. Barbie Movie Marketing
What Happened
The marketing rollout for the Barbie film included a wide range of promotions and activations.
Tactics Used
- The campaign engaged audiences using meme templates, an AI Barbie selfie generator, influencer collaborations, and pink aesthetics.
Impact
- The campaign achieved cultural saturation, with Barbie-themed content trending globally before the film’s release.
13. Popeyes – “Girl Dinner” Trend Hijack
What Happened
Popeyes joined the viral “girl dinner” trend by creating a branded meal that reflected the meme.
Tactics Used
- The campaign featured speedy trend response, playful execution, and TikTok-native lingo to engage audiences.
Impact
- The campaign achieved high engagement on TikTok and earned media coverage and conversations about Popeyes’ cultural relevance.
14. Ocean Spray x Nathan Apodaca (Cranberry Juice Skateboard)
What Happened
Ocean Spray collaborated with TikTok creator Nathan Apodaca after his viral video featuring the brand’s cranberry juice.
Tactics Used
- The partnership was an example of leveraging organic social media moments, with Ocean Spray gifting Apodaca a truck and using the collaboration for PR.
Impact
- The campaign helped boost sales, with a reported 20% increase in cranberry juice sales, and furthered Ocean Spray’s cultural relevance.
15. Spotify – Wrapped 2023
What Happened
Spotify’s annual Wrapped campaign offers personalized year-end music recaps for users to share.
Tactics Used
- The campaign uses data storytelling to create fun and shareable insights about users’ listening habits.
- It also features artist-branded content and social media integrations.
Impact
- The campaign generates massive organic reach yearly, becoming an annual moment for users and Spotify.
10 Content Ideas for Viral Social Media Campaigns
1. Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Content: Your Brand's Secret Sauce
Go beyond polished marketing materials. Show your audience the inner workings of your organization. Share candid photos and videos of your team at work, highlighting your brand’s values and culture. For example, a coffee roaster could showcase their sustainable sourcing practices, while a clothing brand might feature artisans handcrafting pieces. This type of content humanizes your brand and fosters trust and authenticity.
2. User-Generated Content (UGC): Your Customers Are Your Best Advocates
Encourage your audience to share their content featuring your products or services. Not only does UGC provide you with a wealth of authentic marketing materials, but it also helps build community and engage your customers. Create a branded hashtag to make it easy for your followers to share their posts, and regularly feature UGC on your social channels. For example, a beauty brand could use its products to highlight customers’ makeup looks.
3. Tutorials and How-To Guides: Educate and Engage Your Audience
Share your expertise with your audience through helpful tutorials and how-to guides. This type of content is highly shareable and positions your brand as an authority in your industry. For example, a gardening supply store might create a video series on seasonal planting tips, while a kitchenware retailer could share recipes featuring their products. Optimize your tutorials for search to attract organic traffic and promote them across your social channels.
4. Customer Testimonials and Reviews: Social Proof You Can’t Ignore
Showcasing positive customer feedback is a powerful way to build trust and credibility with potential buyers. Share testimonials on your website, social channels, and email campaigns, and use eye-catching visuals to make them stand out. For example, a travel brand could create a video featuring customer testimonials set to scenic footage, while a B2B company might design a downloadable case study highlighting a client’s success.
5. Product Spotlights: Showcase Your Offerings in a Creative Way
Highlight your products or services through engaging spotlight content that informs and entertains your audience. To keep your content fresh, experiment with different formats, such as videos, infographics, and interactive quizzes. For example, a pet supply retailer could create a fun quiz to help customers find the right products for their furry friends, while a fashion brand might share styling tips featuring different ways to wear a signature piece.
6. Interactive Polls and Q&A Sessions: Foster Real-Time Engagement
Create opportunities for two-way communication with your audience through interactive polls and Q&A sessions. These types of content encourage engagement and provide valuable insights into your customers’ preferences and interests. Use the data gathered to inform your marketing strategy and optimize your content for social sharing. For example, a restaurant could host a social media poll on potential new menu items, while a media brand might hold a live Q&A with a celebrity guest.
7. Before-and-After Showcases: Visual Proof That Converts
Highlight the impact of your products or services through compelling before-and-after content. This visual storytelling proves your offerings’ effectiveness and can significantly influence potential buyers’ purchase decisions. For example, a home improvement brand could showcase a kitchen renovation using their products, while a fitness company might feature client transformations achieved through their programs.
8. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements: Share Your Successes
Highlighting your brand’s key milestones and achievements is a great way to foster community and engage your audience. Share content celebrating your anniversaries, new product launches, and awards to showcase your growth and accomplishments. For example, an eco-friendly brand could celebrate an anniversary by highlighting its sustainability efforts over the years, while a tech company might create a timeline graphic showcasing its product innovations.
9. Seasonal or Holiday-Themed Posts: Capitalize on Timeliness
Create content that engages your audience by tapping into the excitement and themes of holidays and seasons. This type of content can include gift guides, seasonal recipes, and holiday travel tips, and can help your brand connect with customers during key shopping periods. For example, a home goods retailer could create a Halloween decor guide featuring their products, while a fashion brand might share styling tips for holiday party looks.
10. Employee Spotlights: Humanize Your Brand
Highlight your team members through fun and engaging employee spotlight content. This type of content helps humanize your brand and foster connections with your audience. Use social media to share fun facts, interviews, and day-in-the-life features on your employees, and encourage them to share the content within their networks to expand your reach. For example, a nonprofit could highlight staff members’ connections to their mission, while a corporate brand might showcase employees’ diverse skills and backgrounds.
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