With our presence on online platforms, to be seen means to be successfully beating the algorithm. It is more than just making great content. That’s why shareable content has become an important approach to gain visibility and reach.
So, what makes people share content? And how do you apply it for your posts?
1. Understand Why People Share Stuff
People share for several reasons. The majority of the time, it is either the content that is fun, surprising or relatable to them and the other person that they share it with. This is including posts that:
- Posts that evoke strong emotions (happiness, surprise, anger, inspiration) are shared more.
- People share posts that make them seem well-informed, clever, or profound.
- If a post provides a solution to a question or valuable information.
- Identity-based or value-aligned content.
- Motivating stories, memes, and videos that elicit responses.
2. Craft Headlines That Engage People
Shareable content begins with the hooking headline. According to Single Grain, 80% read headlines but only 20% click. These are the adjustments to implement:
Use curiosity-driven hooks (e.g., “The One Strategy Top Marketers Swear By”).
Add numbers (e.g., “7 Simple Tricks to Make Your Posts More Shareable”).
Create a sense of urgency (e.g., “Why You Need to Do This Before 2025”).
3. Get Your Content Seen: Make It Visually Engaging
Use high-quality images & videos. Social media posts with images get 2.3 times more engagement than text posts.
Use GIFs & memes. They humanize your brand and make posts shareable.
Infographics. Display of data in visual form makes it 300% more shareable, according to SEMrush.
4. Write for Shareability (Not Readability)
Keep sentences concise and punchy.
Use conversational language that sounds natural. Have a clear CTA (Call-to-Action). Ask individuals to “Tag a friend,” “Save this for later,” or “Share if you agree.”
You can also make headlines that make people want to share.
Example: Instead of just writing “How AI Is Changing Marketing,” turn it into:
“AI Marketing in 2025: What You Need to Know (Before Your Competitor Does)”
This works because people don’t just read. They share what makes them look informed, entertained, or ahead of the curve.
5. Use Trends and Timely Topics
Stay current with current events and the hottest trends based on your industry. You can also use Google Trends and social media like Twitter/X Trending Topics to see what’s hot.
Here are some examples of headlines on how a brand is riding the wave:
- “Why Brands Are Switching to Micro-Influencers in 2025”
- “How AI Is Changing Content Creation: Are You Ready?”
- “Ramadan 2025: What’s Trending in Halal Food & Dining?”
- “4-Day Workweek: The Future of Productivity or Just a Trend?”
The thing about riding the trend is that people are already familiar and talking about it. That is what makes it relevant.
Therefore, brands could gain high visibility and engagement, and even be potential to get viral.
Not only that, it shows that your brand is not just posting jut for the sake of getting your products sold out, but is aware of the current situation.
6. Make It Interactive
Engagement translates to a lot of shares. Some of the few ways are by doing,
Polls and Quizzes: Interactive content gets shared twice as much as static content.
Asking Questions: “What’s the best marketing advice you’ve ever been given?”
User-Generated Content (UGC): Encourage audiences to share their own experiences to make it real.
7. Optimize for Each Platform
Every platform likes different content. They have different formats, styles and user preferences. For instance, Instagram & TikTok consist of short, entertaining videos with viral potential.
Meanwhile, LinkedIn consists of thought leadership posts and professional insights.
If users are looking for opinionated views in short form and trending issues, Twitter (X) and Threads are the go-to platforms. For Facebook, it has emotional storytelling and community-driven posts.
8. Test, Analyze, and Improve
Use analytics tools (like Facebook Insights or Instagram Analytics) to track what works best.
A/B test different formats, tones, and CTAs. Then, double down on winners by using humor, storytelling, or tips.
Final Thoughts
Shareable content isn’t about being lucky; it’s about strategy. Understanding what sparks sharing, maximizing engagement, and flexibility are the secrets to making any post go viral beyond your own bubble.
Want proof? Experiment with these steps on your next post and see the shares roll in.
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