By Syed Balkhi, founder of WPBeginner, one of the largest free WordPress resource sites that help small businesses start their websites.
getty
It’s no secret that blog posts can go viral when they’re well-written and offer valuable content. But what are the types of blog posts that are more likely to go viral?
In this post, we’ll look at five types of blog posts with a higher chance of going viral. And if you’re looking to increase traffic to your blog, you should consider writing some of these posts.
How-To Posts
A how-to post is an article that provides readers with step-by-step instructions for doing something. How-to posts can go viral for several reasons.
First, they are often very practical and offer readers 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 accomplish something. By showing us how to do something, they give us a sense of empowerment. For all of these reasons, it’s no surprise that how-to posts are some of the most popular types of content on the internet.
Listicles
A listicle is a type of article that is based on a list, typically numbering anywhere from five to 10 items. Listicles are popular because they are easy to scan and can contain interesting information.
For businesses, listicles can be an effective way to go viral and reach a larger audience. After all, who doesn’t love a good list? To maximize the chances of success, you should focus on creating listicles relevant to your industry and target audience.
Additionally, the content should be well-researched and written in an engaging tone. With a little effort, businesses can use listicles to reach a wider audience and achieve their marketing goals.
Some examples of listicle headlines include:
- 10 Ways to Improve Your Marketing Strategy
- The 5 Best Outdoor Adventures in the Area
- 11 Best Places to Have Hot Chocolate in Downtown New York
And so on. These posts seem simple but they are often well-thought-out and detailed. They’re meant to help people get the information they want. And they balance providing just enough detail about each item on a list without providing too little information.
You need to do research to make sure your listicle is comprehensive and helpful. 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 equal negative attention. In fact, a well-crafted controversial post can generate a lot of positive attention for your business.
Of course, you need to be careful when treading into 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 generate a lot of interest in your business.
Just be sure to do your research before taking the plunge. You don’t want to inadvertently offend anyone or damage your business’s reputation. But if you handle the situation well, a controversial post can help you achieve your marketing goals.
Resource Posts
Resource posts are articles that provide readers with a list of helpful resources on a particular topic. Resource posts can be very useful for businesses because they offer a lot of value to readers.
Not only do they provide a list of helpful resources, but they also show that your business is an expert on the topic. That can go a long way in establishing your business as a thought leader in your industry.
To make sure your resource post is successful, be sure to include high-quality links to posts and articles that are relevant to your target audience. Additionally, 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 will be successful in attracting attention and helping your business achieve its marketing goals.
Powerful Case Studies
Everybody loves a success story. And that’s what a case study is—a detailed account of how your business helped another business or individual achieve success.
Case studies are effective because they show potential customers that your business can help them achieve their goals. They’re also a great way to establish your credibility and expertise.
When writing a case study, be sure to focus on the results you achieved for your client. That’s what potential customers will be most interested in. Include data such as the percentage increase in engagement, increase in profits, reduction in costs and so on.
Such details are eye-opening and show potential customers that your business is capable of delivering results.
You should also include images, graphs, infographics and even video testimonials if you can. These visual elements can help to further engage readers and drive home 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 on the right foot.
So what are you waiting for? Start brainstorming ideas for your next blog post, infographic or resource list. And don’t forget to have fun with it. After all, content marketing is all about creating interesting and engaging content that your target audience will love.