How can you make your startup go viral?

1 Define your value proposition

Before you launch any viral campaign, you need to have a clear and compelling value proposition for your startup. What problem are you solving, what benefit are you offering, and why should people care? Your value proposition should be simple, specific, and memorable, and it should resonate with your target market. You can test your value proposition by asking for feedback, conducting surveys, or creating landing pages.

2 Choose your channels and platforms

The next step is to decide where and how you will spread your viral message. You need to consider your audience's preferences, habits, and behaviors, and choose the channels and platforms that suit them best. For example, if your startup is targeting young and tech-savvy consumers, you might want to use social media, video, or mobile apps. If your startup is targeting professionals or businesses, you might want to use email, blogs, or podcasts. You also need to think about how you will optimize your content for each channel and platform, and how you will measure your results.

3 Create shareable and engaging content

The core of any viral campaign is the content that you create and distribute. Your content should be shareable and engaging, meaning that it should spark curiosity, emotion, or action in your audience, and that it should encourage them to share it with their networks. Your content can take various forms, such as stories, testimonials, challenges, quizzes, infographics, or memes. You can also use different formats, such as text, images, audio, or video. The key is to make your content relevant, valuable, and entertaining for your audience, and to align it with your value proposition and goals.

4 Leverage influencers and advocates

Another way to boost your viral potential is to leverage influencers and advocates who can amplify your message and reach. Influencers are people who have a large and loyal following on social media or other platforms, and who can influence their followers' opinions and decisions. Advocates are people who are already satisfied customers or users of your startup, and who can spread positive word-of-mouth. You can identify and connect with influencers and advocates by using tools, platforms, or networks that match your niche and audience. You can also offer them incentives, rewards, or recognition for sharing your content or promoting your startup.

5 Add virality loops and triggers

Finally, you can add virality loops and triggers to your campaign, which are mechanisms that encourage and enable more sharing and referrals. Virality loops are cycles where each new user or customer brings more users or customers to your startup, creating a self-sustaining growth. Virality triggers are elements that motivate or remind people to share your content or refer your startup, such as social proof, scarcity, exclusivity, or gamification. You can implement virality loops and triggers by using features, tools, or platforms that facilitate and reward sharing and referrals, such as referral programs, invite codes, leaderboards, or badges.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?