What are some examples of content hooks that went viral and why?

Do you know what Mr. Beast said about how he uses Curiosity? When you've raised a question in someone's mind, we're naturally wired to seek the answer. Now that I've raised the question in your mind about what Mr. Beast said there's tension building up until you get the payoff. That's how curiosity pulls a reader in--they want to relieve that tension. On a Podcast, Mr. Beast mentioned how it's important to craft ideas so big, you open a powerful loop of curiosity within in the viewer's head. He threw out the idea of putting 1,000 people on a giant skateboard and trying to ride it. The idea is so big, that if the person doesn't watch it they will go to bed wondering what happened. That's how you hook people in. You make them wonder.

Curiousity is also the number one driving force of any action, it generates a need to primal within us, an itch that needs to be scratched so badly. That the reader is compelled to sit down and read the content. The best reactions to a content hook going for curiosity are, "This can't be real! I need to find out if there is any truth in it!" or "What/Why and or How can this be a thing?". If your target audience even for a second think of these questions, then rest assured your content hook did it's job.

The power of curiosity is a necessity in a healthy leader of any company or organization. As I learned during my first graduate class in leadership, the most successful, kind, and empathetic leaders have the characteristic of curiosity. Why is curiosity so important? Because it shows that you are not close-minded and you are capable of listening to many points of views. In other words, curiosity not only grows your mind but also grows and keeps your relationships healthy.

The internet is a cruel, cold world. There is no room for boring. People doomscroll TikTok & IG because they want to feel something. You're broadcasting to an army of the bored, depressed, and stressed. Those users crave an escape. They want to laugh, they want to cry, they want to get angry. Give them that escape. If your content gives them the tingly feelies, then you get rewarded with engagement. Think of likes and comments as a token of appreciation for helping someone, somewhere, feel something. Before you ever post, ask yourself if there's any emotion attached. If you don't heed this warning then that's on you. Your post will drift into the sea of obscurity; a forgotten idea left to die alone in the void.

One thing I have found helpful is questioning my “why” when I am adding content to a website, blog, or social media. In other words, is the reason behind my content worthwhile? Will the content affect others positively and help them grow? I love the quote, be the change you wish to see in the world. In short, I hope more companies strive to offer more compassion and empathy.

Though as news-SEO editor for TheHindu.Com my job entails adding keywords in headlines, I can't stress enough on finding a feeling for an article. We have a tendency to overlook that we are creating content for fellow human beings and not for going viral. Consider this headline: "Iconic Samrat restaurant to take its last orders on September 25." In 1 read, I realised the copy has a potential for emotional pull in patrons of the restaurant. It had been running for 45 years, folks were "bidding it adieu" and it was visited by celebs. The keywords were already there. But what was missing from the headline was an emotion. I added the word 'iconic' and the copy exploded, was reshared by other media outlets, along being widely read. Thoughts?

People follow influencers on the internet because they want to see authenticity and sincere emotional expressions. This authenticity allows followers to empathize with influencers, reminding them that these online personalities are human, just like them. Incorporating genuine emotions into your content can enhance its impact, making it more engaging and shareable. Authenticity not only differentiates influencers from inauthentic personas but also creates a strong emotional bond with the audience, driving engagement and loyalty.

I have found that original stories, especially those around the purpose of starting a company or doing a job tend to get great traction in sales and marketing. I work in cyber because I want to protect people as someone that experienced bullying. I started this business because I saw a gap for great customer service in this industry, something that I am passionate about as someone that cares.

Behind-the-scenes content can connect with your audience on a personal level, making your content more engaging and relatable. An example of this is the success of featurettes that accompany popular films, showing the creative process, bloopers, and candid moments. These insights into the production process allow audiences to appreciate the effort and creativity involved, fostering a deeper connection with the content. By showcasing the human side of production, behind-the-scenes footage transforms the viewing experience, making it more compelling and shareable.

While everyone desires a structured life, it's the unpredictability in horror movies that truly frightens us. To engage audiences, incorporating randomness and mystery is key. Videos offering a choice between $100 and a mystery box capture viewers’ attention because they are intrigued by the unknown contents. Integrating surprise and unpredictability in content can significantly boost engagement which appeal to our innate curiosity. The anticipation of discovering what's inside keeps people watching. Similarly, viral trends offering a choice between a known reward and a mystery prize effectively harness this principle. The uncertainty and potential for unexpected rewards maintain viewer interest.