Discover the secrets behind viral content from successful small businesses. This article unveils key strategies and insights shared by industry experts on creating engaging, shareable content. Learn how authenticity, cultural relevance, and emotional connections can propel your content to viral status.
- Tap Cultural Relevance for Viral Success
- Hook Viewers and Sustain Viral Momentum
- Share Authentic Journey for Deeper Engagement
- Evoke Nostalgia to Create Emotional Connections
- Reveal Unscripted Moments for Viral Impact
- Authenticity Drives Consistent Viral Content
- Challenge Misconceptions with Data-Backed Content
- Showcase Behind-the-Scenes Magic for Views
- Create Accidental Intimacy for Viral Reach
- Optimize Posts for Relatable Human Experiences
- Trigger Emotions to Boost Content Virality
- Turn Simple Solutions into Empowering Content
- Transform Viral Moments into Educational Opportunities
- Engineer Content for Emotional Resonance
- Leverage Real-Time Relevance for Viral Success
- Connect Authentically with Timely Content
Tap Cultural Relevance for Viral Success
Yes, we’ve had several posts go viral, but one in particular stood out: a simple, relatable TikTok for a local brand that hit over 2 million views within 48 hours. No big budget, no influencers, just strong timing, relevance, and a clear understanding of our audience. Through their employee-made content (with our script and direction + editing).
The key factor? Cultural relevance meets simplicity. We tapped into a hyper-local trend, used native platform language, and added a relatable human touch. The video felt spontaneous, not overproduced, and it invited people to respond, not just watch. That invitation to interact (through comments, stitches, and duets) was what accelerated reach.
What we learned: Virality isn’t luck, it’s a mix of timing, authentic storytelling, and platform fluency. You can’t force it, but you can design for it. Since then, we’ve applied that same mindset to client work: create content that feels like it belongs on the platform, not like an ad that interrupts it. Stay close to what people already care about, and they’ll care about you.
Vincent De Boer
CEO, Socials
Hook Viewers and Sustain Viral Momentum
Yes, I’ve both helped many videos go viral in my work as a Social Media Manager and experienced viral success on my own accounts. The key factor behind every viral moment I’ve been part of has been a strong hook—those first few seconds are everything. From there, it’s about maintaining enough intrigue, value, or entertainment to keep viewers watching until the end. Engagement is the next piece of the puzzle: whether you’re prompting comments through humor, curiosity, or even controversy (rage bait), the goal is to spark a reaction.
What going viral has really taught me is that the real work starts after the virality. Sustaining that momentum is critical. One viral moment can act as a launchpad for multiple others if you’re strategic—consistency and smart follow-up content are what turn a viral hit into long-term growth.
Kacey Leclerc
Digital Marketing & Content Manager
Share Authentic Journey for Deeper Engagement
Yes, I’ve experienced viral traction on social media—specifically through a PR success story I shared on Instagram about how I helped a client land five major media features in just 10 days using my PRISM Ascend™ Framework. The post combined a before-and-after transformation, a concise breakdown of the strategy, and a personal anecdote that highlighted both the struggle and the outcome. But what made it viral wasn’t the results—it was the emotional resonance. I shared the behind-the-scenes pressure, the failed pitches before the wins, and the mindset shift that made the difference. That transparency triggered thousands of shares, saves, and new followers within 48 hours.
The key factor in that post’s virality was its layered value: part storytelling, part tactical breakdown, part inspiration. People weren’t just watching a highlight reel—they were invited into the real process. What I learned is that virality doesn’t stem from polish—it stems from relatability, vulnerability, and usefulness. Since then, I’ve shifted from static “success posts” to storytelling frameworks that show the middle of the journey, not just the win. It builds deeper trust and longer-lasting engagement.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Evoke Nostalgia to Create Emotional Connections
I went viral on TikTok after sharing a video featuring nostalgic Disney clips that my grandfather captured on a digital camcorder during our family vacation 20 years ago. It ended up reaching nearly 500,000 views, with 134,000 likes and 600 comments.
The key to its success was the emotional connection it created. Nostalgia is a powerful force; it taps into shared memories and evokes strong feelings. In the comments, people mentioned experiencing joy, comfort, and a sense of being transported back to simpler times. That emotional resonance sparked high engagement and organic sharing.
What I learned from the experience is that content doesn’t need to be highly polished to be impactful. The most effective posts are often the most authentic. When something feels real and relatable, people naturally respond, and that’s what drives virality.
Rebekah McCaig
Content Creator
Reveal Unscripted Moments for Viral Impact
Yes, I’ve helped a client go viral on social media. The campaign was for a mid-sized e-commerce brand and centered around a behind-the-scenes look at how their products were made.
What set it apart was the process: VOYEURISM—letting viewers feel like insiders by revealing real-time manufacturing moments that brands usually edit out. That raw, unfiltered storytelling triggered thousands of shares.
The key factor was controlled imperfection. We leaned into moments that looked unscripted but were thoughtfully selected to feel spontaneous. We gave users something to react to: unexpected humor, small failures, and the sense that they were seeing something “not meant for PR.” That tension between polish and reality is what made the post circulate fast, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
From the experience, I learned that virality is about sparking a response. Since then, I’ve focused more on designing content that opens a loop in the viewer’s mind—so they feel compelled to pass it on.
Brandon George
Director of Demand Generation & Content, Thrive SEO Agency
Authenticity Drives Consistent Viral Content
Yes, I’ve been fortunate enough to have content go viral multiple times across Instagram and TikTok. My first viral moment happened three years ago, coincidentally on the very weekend I launched my business. For six months prior, I’d been consistently sharing my brand journey, which built a loyal following. That initial viral hit dramatically accelerated my growth, putting my brand in front of tens of thousands of new eyes. The influx of pre-orders even helped me partially self-finance the production, which was a huge boost.
Since then, I’ve had about ten more pieces of content go viral on different accounts. Interestingly, the content that takes off is almost always something I didn’t overthink. The key factor has consistently been authenticity and staying true to my story as a creator and a brand. This type of content deeply resonates with people’s identity—it speaks to how they see themselves in the world. What I’ve learned is that genuine, heartfelt content, even if it feels simple, often performs the best because it creates a powerful connection with the audience.
Lydia Coulter
Marketing Consultant, The New Marketer
Challenge Misconceptions with Data-Backed Content
Yes, our “SEO Myths That Are Killing Your Rankings” LinkedIn post hit 2.3 million views and 15,000 shares. The key factor? We debunked widely-believed misconceptions with hard data, not opinions. The post started with “Stop doing these 5 things immediately” and backed each myth with real case studies showing ranking drops. What made it viral was the controversy—we challenged popular SEO advice from big-name influencers with proof.
The lesson? Viral content needs three elements: a strong emotional hook, a contrarian perspective backed by data, and immediate actionable value. People share content that makes them look smart to their network. We learned that educational content performs better than promotional content by 400% in our industry.
The post generated 847 qualified leads and $340K in new business. That’s how we keep your brand visible.
Wayne Lowry
CEO, Scale By SEO
Showcase Behind-the-Scenes Magic for Views
Yes—one of our behind-the-scenes edits from a client shoot unexpectedly took off on TikTok. It hit over 2 million views in just a few days. The funny thing is, it wasn’t some big production—just a raw, authentic moment of the crew improvising to get a perfect lighting shot using a white T-shirt and a flashlight. The comments blew up because people loved seeing the “scrappy magic” of video production.
What I learned? People love transparency and resourcefulness. Viral content doesn’t always need polish—it needs relatability, a little humor, and a strong emotional hook. That moment reminded me to post more of the process, not just the final product.
Arum Ka
Digital Marketing, VideosID
Create Accidental Intimacy for Viral Reach
I helped a client achieve viral success with a short-form video campaign that accumulated over 2 million views in 48 hours.
The campaign went viral because it focused on what I call “accidental intimacy.” We showcased a staff member casually interacting with a product off the clock, seemingly unaware they were being filmed. The video felt unposed, almost as if the audience was witnessing a moment they weren’t supposed to see. This sense of quiet authenticity compelled people to stop scrolling.
The virality hinged on earned voyeurism. Viewers shared it because it felt honest and slightly out-of-bounds. While it wasn’t staged, it was intentional. This balance between intention and spontaneity made the video replayable and easy to comment on, which boosted algorithmic reach without paid amplification.
I learned that going viral is about subtly conveying messages that others aren’t expressing. Since then, I’ve moved away from over-editing and focused more on content that piques curiosity without revealing everything.
Matt Bowman
Founder, Thrive Local
Optimize Posts for Relatable Human Experiences
To be really honest, yes, we have had a few pieces go viral—and the biggest one wasn’t the most polished; it was the most relatable.
It was a short LinkedIn post about the behind-the-scenes chaos of content production, paired with a raw screenshot and a touch of humor. What made it take off wasn’t luck; it was timing and structure. We optimized the hook for the first three lines, used line breaks for easy scanning, and kept the tone conversational. Within 48 hours, it hit over 500,000 impressions and brought in seven qualified leads without a single paid ad.
What I learned is this: virality is not about being perfect; it is about being human and intentional. LinkedIn rewards clear value and real emotion. Optimize your post layout, speak directly to your audience’s lived experience, and don’t be afraid to show your unpolished side. That’s what makes people stop, read, and share.
Vaibhav Kishnani
Founder & CEO, Content-Whale
Trigger Emotions to Boost Content Virality
I’ve gone viral multiple times (4 times specifically) recently on X (formerly Twitter) as a football fan account content creator with less than 400 followers.
What was the trick that changed everything for me?
I applied “emotional marketing.” (This means it can work for pretty much any niche/industry.)
Everything changed for the better. Every post I make now goes viral easily, netting lots of comments, reposts, likes, and organic followers.
- First post did in less than 24 hours: 9,500 views, 96+ comments, 266 likes
- Second did 6,500 views, 63 comments, 30 reposts, 162 likes
- Third did over 11,000 views, 13+ comments, 212 likes and 25 reposts
I am a hardcore data-driven digital marketer, so firstly, I thoroughly searched for emotional marketing statistics. Then I picked the most relevant and powerful key facts.
From my experience, this is what worked wonders for me:
1. Use headlines that cause and trigger strong emotions like happiness, fear, anger, and desire.
Anger worked 99% of the time for me. (The stat: “Content that generates anger has a 38% chance of going viral” is very accurate.)
Avoid SAD emotion.
2. Use videos. They go viral easily. (They trigger those emotions mentioned above.)
I use text all the time, but from my experience, videos get a lot more views.
3. Use headlines like “worst” or “never”; they draw more attention and CTR than “best” or “always.”
This is my best winner. All the headlines where I’ve used “worst” or “never” work like 99% of the time.
That is all.
Depending on your niche and social media platform, you only need to be a little creative and add these emotions, and you should have a very high chance of going viral.
Even the most recent content I made today applying this is currently going viral at the moment, at the time of writing this.
In less than 2 hours, it currently sits at 2.8k views, 47 comments, 13 reposts, and 55 likes.
Emotional marketing is KEY to going viral.
Prosper Noah
Founder, Tipsonblogging
Turn Simple Solutions into Empowering Content
Our biggest viral moment happened completely by accident when I posted a 30-second video fixing a “broken” $800 soundbar with a paperclip.
A customer called us panicking because their brand-new Sonos Arc had gone completely silent right before a big game night. Instead of walking them through complex troubleshooting, I recorded myself gently pressing the hidden reset button with an unfolded paperclip. I posted it on TikTok thinking maybe a few tech enthusiasts would find it useful—it hit 2.3 million views in four days.
What made it explode wasn’t the technical solution itself, but the pure relief in people’s comments. Hundreds shared stories about expensive devices they’d almost returned or replaced. The emotional payoff of a simple fix resonated way more than any polished tutorial ever could.
The surprising lesson? People don’t want to feel stupid about technology. They want to feel capable and smart when something actually works. Our most viral content since then focuses on those “aha!” moments rather than showing off technical expertise.
Now I intentionally look for those situations where a tiny action solves a big, expensive-seeming problem. Sometimes the most powerful content comes from the simplest solutions that make people feel genuinely empowered.
Nikolay Petrov
Founder & CTO, ZontSound
Transform Viral Moments into Educational Opportunities
Yes, we had a video go viral recently after it was featured on Good Morning America. It was filmed during one of our tours to Shell Island, and it captured the moment a shark swam right by us in the water. That clip exploded online because it played into people’s deep fascination with sharks—the mix of awe and fear grabs attention fast.
But instead of spinning it as a scary moment, I used the opportunity to educate. In the caption and follow-up posts, I talked about staying calm, understanding shark behavior, and how rare encounters like that really are. I wanted people to see that you can enjoy the ocean responsibly without panicking over every fin in the water.
The key to that video’s success wasn’t just the footage. It was the message. People appreciated the calm tone and the fact that it came from someone who knows sharks up close. It turned into a teachable moment, not just a viral one. I learned that when you pair compelling content with real knowledge and a little reassurance, it builds trust—and in this case, it led to a flood of new followers, messages, and bookings.
Christopher Farley
Owner, Flippin’ Awesome Adventures
Engineer Content for Emotional Resonance
Yes, I’ve gone viral—and no, it wasn’t luck. It was a calculated blend of emotional design and platform-native thinking.
One video stands out: a 68-year-old woman stepped onto one of our vibration plates, unsure and stiff…then 20 seconds later, she broke into a spontaneous dance. No narration. No background music. Just her unfiltered joy and the caption: “She came for therapy. She found her rhythm again.”
That 30-second clip hit 2.1 million organic views in under 4 days, with 14,000 shares and DMs asking, “Is this real?”
What made it viral?
It was engineered to create dopaminergic friction—a scroll-stopping pattern break that hit the emotional core. The formula I use:
Emotion x Contrast x Shareability = Viral Energy.
- Emotion: Viewers saw transformation, not promotion.
- Contrast: An older woman dancing? Unexpected.
- Shareability: It wasn’t about her—it was about your mom, aunt, or future self.
Virality is not the finish line—it’s the ignition point. The key is to build content that resonates emotionally, moves quickly, and primes trust. But most importantly, I learned to design for what happens next. Views are fleeting. Connection and follow-through are the real metrics.
Murray Seaton
Founder and CEO / Health & Fitness Entrepreneur, Hypervibe (Vibration Plates)
Leverage Real-Time Relevance for Viral Success
Yes, I’ve gone viral. Not once—but three times—on three different platforms. And each time, the core lesson has been the same: post what’s relevant, real, and right now.
The first viral moment happened when I was sitting at the airport during the global Microsoft cloud outage. I opened TikTok and casually posted a short clip about the issue while it was still unfolding. I wasn’t trying to go viral—I was just documenting what was happening in real time. The result? Over 2 million views. Why? Because I was among the first to talk about it, and everyone was searching for answers.
Not long after, I posted on Instagram about the chaotic flying experience at Newark Airport during a major travel disruption. That reel crossed 3 million views. Again, the same formula: I was there, I spoke up quickly, and I posted with authenticity about something that affected a lot of people.
Now, I’m seeing it happen again—this time with my Wonder Tooth Podcast on YouTube. As a cosmetic dentist and digital dental innovator, I discuss real dental issues, debunk myths, and bring attention to how oral health connects to your overall well-being. I’ve gone viral by staying true to my brand—but also by tying my content to what people are already curious about. Whether it’s teeth whitening myths, gum health, or AI in dentistry, I’ve learned that value and timing are everything.
So what’s the key to virality? It’s not luck. It’s relevance, timing, and clarity.
Post in the moment. Don’t wait to perfect the lighting or polish every word.
Be one of the first. Early voices often win the algorithm.
Share what others care about. Think beyond yourself—what’s useful, relatable, or newsworthy?
Social media rewards momentum. So if something is happening right now—whether it’s a tech outage or a moment in your industry—post it fast, post it clearly, and don’t overthink it.
Virality isn’t just about views. It’s about connection. And that only happens when you’re timely, human, and real.
Dr. Radwa Saad
Dentist, Founder of Dent Blanche Dental, Dent Blanche Dental
Connect Authentically with Timely Content
Yes, I’ve had a post go viral on social media before, and looking back, I think the main factor was how relatable and timely the content was. It tapped into a current conversation or shared experience that resonated deeply with the audience, which encouraged people to like, comment, and share organically. The tone was authentic and fairly playful, which helped it stand out from more polished, sales-driven posts.
From that experience, it’s obvious that virality isn’t just about flashy visuals or big budgets—it’s about connecting with people on a genuine level and giving them something they want to engage with or talk about. It also reinforced the importance of timing and understanding your audience’s mindset at that moment.
Peter Wootton
SEO Consultant, The SEO Consultant Agency
