issomethingexcitinghappening.com?

Carina • February 28, 2011 • Comments View Comments

In today’s viral meme analysis, we look at a pattern exemplified by the following websites:

These sites employ 3 critical elements we’ve identified for facilitating virality:

1) Topics people are already excited about

The most basic element for virality: the content at it’s most basic level is something people are already interested in and excited about, or is tied to something that is.  You need to minimize as much as possible the friction and work that goes into resonating with users.  But that alone isn’t always enough, which is where the other elements come in.

2) Critical mass of relevance — it is relevant to ENOUGH people

For something to spread, it needs to be relevant to a critical mass of people.  This is why in our projects, we strive to find content that is as universal as possible — to give our content the best chance of being shared.

3) Simple and concentrated

The simplicity of these websites has two functions.  First, it concentrates and focuses the energy of the topic so that is is felt more acutely.  Secondly, the sites are dead simple to consume.  Users willingly share this with their friends because it is a very small ask.

What do you think?  Have you seen other examples of this viral pattern?

Category: Techniques, Trends, Virality, marketing

About the Author

I'm a co-founder of Momentus Media. I hang out at the intersections of technology and psychology. I've made chat bots, web apps, Android apps, and now I'm making apps, strategies and tools for spreading ideas through Facebook.

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