Terrakon Blog

Dan Zarella of Hubspot wants to help you get shared.

With middle-aged divorcees, college students, grandmas, insurance agents, coffee shops, doctor’s offices and dedicated social media marketers out there all posting content on Fcaebook, how can one be sure that what they “say” is seen, and perhaps even spread to a wider audience?  How does one ensure the mighty virality?  Well Dan conducted a pretty interesting study and has been kind to share his seven ways on how to promote sharing.

First Off, How He Did It

For several weeks, Dan compiled around 12,000 articles posted to Facebook, with many coming from highly esteemed sites such as Mashable and CNN. Next, he found the average number of times each was “shared”–meaning it was commented on, liked, or directed to a friend-.  He then analyzed the make-ups, including subject matter, type of content, date posted, among other factors – and then produced a list of the winners and losers.

Even Dan won’t say that his findings hold 100% water – but they may serve as a great hint – and help enlighten you on how to get shared.  But either way, do with them what you may.

1. Talk about Sex – Baby

Well maybe not all at once.  But perhaps a gutter mind is a good mind? Dan found that articles about sex were almost three times more likely to go viral than articles dealing with other subjects, such as work, sleeping habits, sports scores, etc. Posting about sex may not be appropriate or wise for some Facebookers, but regardless evidently the topic gets noticed, and shared.

2. Answer the Why’s and How’s

Aside from “Facebook,” the most Facebook-friendly word is “why”– followed closely by “how”–which suggests that people are more likely to share content that legitimately explains something.  Humans are curious and for the most part want to understand the world around them,  If Facebook can provide them answers, they are evidently likely to share them with their networks. Dan’s study also found that it helps to include superlatives such as “most” and “best” to modify lists.

3. Ex-nay on the Nerd Speak & Technology Battles

Humans do like controversy.  That won’t change.  But too much techno babble about “Facebook vs. Twitter” and the “Google phone vs. the iPhone” has never been impressive to the mainstream Facebook audience.These conversations and topics do however seem to be very accepted and as a result commonly retweeted on Facebook’s masked social media arch nemesis: Twitter.

4. Ditch the Adverbs and Adjectives

Leave the flowery language for your significant other.  Get to the point on this platform.  Facebookers do not want novels, or content overly seasoned with adverbs and adjectives.  Repeat after me.  NOUN VERB NOUN.  Or even better – VERB NOUN.

5. Need you Some Numbers

“People like data and specifics,” says Zarrella. Drop some digits and don’t be surprised if your content is shared.

6. Let’s Get Visual, Visual

Multimedia components are highly shareable. The Facebook platform lets users embed songs and videos which is one way it is differentiated from the text-only Twitter.  Think Bizcit the Sleep Walking Dog.  Now tell me you wouldn’t share it…

7. Don’t Just Facebook M-F, 9-5

Given that more than half of U.S. employers block Facebook at work, it makes sense that Facebook is busy on weekends and after hours. But also, because there’s generally less going on, “each individual story gets more attention,” Zarrella explains.