By Syed Balkhi, founder of WPBeginnerone of the largest free WordPress resource sites helping small businesses launch their websites.
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It’s no secret that blog posts can go viral if they’re well-written and provide valuable content. But what are the types of blog posts that are more likely to go viral?
In this post, we look at five types of blog posts that are more likely to go viral. And if you want to drive more traffic to your blog, consider writing some of these posts.
How-To Messages
A how-to post is an article that gives readers step-by-step instructions on how to do something. How-to posts can go viral for a variety of reasons.
First, they are often very practical and provide readers with valuable information that they can use in their own lives.
Second, they are usually easy to read and understand, making them perfect for sharing on social media.
Finally, how-to posts help us achieve something. By showing us how to do something, they give us a sense of empowerment. For all these reasons, it’s no surprise that instructional posts are some of the most popular types of content on the web.
Lists
A list is a type of article based on a list, which typically contains five to ten items. Lists are popular because they are easy to scan and can contain interesting information.
For businesses, lists can be an effective way to go viral and reach a wider audience. After all, who doesn’t love a good list? To maximize the chances of success, focus on building lists that are relevant to your industry and target audience.
In addition, the content should be well researched and written in an engaging tone. With a little effort, companies can use listicles to reach a wider audience and achieve their marketing goals.
Some examples of list headers are:
- 10 ways to improve your marketing strategy
- The 5 best outdoor adventures in the area
- 11 Best Places to Drink Hot Chocolate in Downtown New York
And so on. These posts seem simple, but are often well thought out and detailed. They are meant to help people get the information they want. And they balance providing just enough detail about every item on a list without providing too little information.
You should do your research to make sure your list is comprehensive and useful. But if you can pull it off, a listicle can be a great way to go viral.
Controversial posts
Contrary to popular belief, controversy does not always equate to negative attention. In fact, a well-crafted controversial post can generate a lot of positive attention for your business.
Of course, you have to be careful when entering controversial territory. But if you can find a way to broach a controversial topic in a respectful and thoughtful way, you may be able to spark a lot of interest in your business.
Be sure to do your research before taking the plunge. You don’t want to accidentally offend anyone or damage your company’s reputation. But if you handle the situation right, a controversial post can help you achieve your marketing goals.
Source messages
Resource posts are articles that provide readers with a list of helpful resources on a particular topic. Source posts can be very useful for businesses because they provide a lot of value to readers.
Not only do they provide a list of helpful resources, but they also show that your company is an expert in this field. That can go a long way in establishing your company as a thought leader in your industry.
In order for your source post to be successful, you need to include high-quality links to posts and articles that are relevant to your target audience. In addition, you should take the time to write a helpful and informative introduction to the post.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your resource post succeeds in capturing attention and helping your business achieve its marketing goals.
Powerful Case Studies
Everyone loves a success story. And that’s what a case study is: a detailed account of how your company has helped another company or individual achieve success.
Case studies are effective because they show potential customers that your business can help them achieve their goals. They are also a great way to establish your credibility and expertise.
When writing a case study, make sure you focus on the results you achieved for your client. That’s what potential customers are most interested in. Add data such as percentage increase in engagement, increase in profit, decrease in costs, and so on.
Such details are eye-openers and show potential customers that your business is capable of delivering results.
If possible, include images, charts, infographics, and even video testimonials. These visuals can help further engage readers and make the point that your business is successful.
There you have it: five types of content that can help your business achieve its marketing goals. Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list. But these five types of content can help you get started the right way.
So what are you waiting for? Start brainstorming ideas for your next blog post, infographic, or resource list. And don’t forget to enjoy it. After all, content marketing is all about creating interesting and engaging content that your target audience will love.