Tips for Creating Shareable Content that Can Help You Earn Backlinks

When it comes to digital marketing, the power of shareable content cannot be underestimated.

Creating shareable content is more than just publishing good stuff and hoping for the best. It requires a strategic approach that factors in elements such as social validation, humor, informative content, emotional engagement and visuals.

In fact, according to a BuzzSumo study, articles with an image once every 75-100 words received double the social media shares as articles with fewer images.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details of crafting a content strategy that includes elements such as social validation, humor, informative content, emotional engagement and visuals to maximize your shareability across various networks. We’ll also explore what not to share on your platforms, leveraging tools for creating engaging visuals and encouraging user interaction through CTAs (Call To Actions).

If you’re serious about making your content easily shareable across various networks while developing a game plan for local link building then this is one read you don’t want to miss!

The Power of Shareable Content in Digital Marketing

Have you ever found yourself lost in thought, pondering why certain blog posts manage to create waves across the internet, going viral within a matter of hours? Trust me, it’s a question that has intrigued us all at some point.

The answer lies hidden in a rather simple yet powerful concept: the creation of shareable content. This is not just about writing an article or making a video; it’s about crafting something so compelling and unique that people can’t help but want to share it with their network. If you can master this art, you will witness your web traffic not merely increase or double, but multiply by a staggering factor of seven. Yes, you’ve read that correctly, seven times the traffic you had before.

One of the most reliable indicators of success on various social media platforms is the level of excitement and engagement from your audience. It’s a clear signal that your content is resonating with them on a deeper level. Did your latest video just hit 1k shares? Well, allow yourself a moment to bask in the glory because that’s no small feat.

Elements that Make Content Shareable

Digging into shareability.

Social validation, humor, and informative content — all key players in the game of shares.

The Role of Social Validation

Social validation refers to the positive impact that social signals (likes, shares, comments, retweets, etc.) have on a webpage’s perceived value and authority.

Just as people are more likely to trust a product or service endorsed by others, search engines also consider social validation as an indicator of content quality. When your content is shared frequently on social media platforms, it sends a signal to search engines that your content is valuable, relevant, and engaging. This can positively influence your website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).

However, it’s important to note that while social validation can boost your content’s visibility and reach, it’s just one piece of the SEO puzzle. Other factors such as keyword optimization, quality backlinks, and a user-friendly website design also play significant roles in your overall SEO strategy.

To encourage social validation, your blog content should be engaging, informative, and easy to share. Including social sharing buttons, creating catchy headlines, and using compelling visuals can all help to increase shares and engagement on social media platforms.

Humor as a Sharing Trigger

Humor is a powerful tool in content marketing and it can significantly increase the shareability of your content.

• Relatability: Humor often stems from shared experiences or common situations. When people find something relatable, they are more likely to share it with their network.
• Emotional Connection: Laughter is a positive emotion. When your content makes someone laugh, it creates a positive emotional connection between them and your brand. This emotional response can motivate them to share the content with others.
• Virality: Funny content tends to go viral more easily because people love sharing things that make them laugh. Viral content can significantly extend your reach and visibility on social media.
• Engagement: Humorous content encourages engagement. People are more likely to comment, like, and share posts that amuse them, increasing your overall engagement rate.
• Memorability: People remember funny content. If you consistently produce humorous, high-quality content, people will start to remember your brand and look forward to your posts.

However, using humor in content marketing should be done with caution. It’s important to know your audience and understand what type of humor resonates with them. Not all humor is universal, and what one person finds funny, another might find offensive or inappropriate. Therefore, always keep your brand identity and target audience in mind when creating humorous content.

Understanding What Not to Share

Not all content is share-worthy.

Social shares aren’t the forte of white papers, case studies, e-books, and product pages.

The reason?

Lack of immediate value for social media users.

Don’t Share White Papers & Case Studies

White papers and case studies are informative, but they require a time commitment from your audience, making them less suitable for social media sharing.

Don’t Share E-Books

E-books also fall into this category as they are often long-form content pieces that may not be suitable for quick consumption on social network platforms.

Don’t Share Product Pages

Product pages have sales intent, which can deter sharing among users who don’t want their feeds to look like advertisements.

To create shareable content, you need something more engaging – think light-hearted videos or how-tos.

Intrigued? Let’s explore further with our next section: Harnessing Emotional Engagement For More Shares.

Harnessing Emotional Engagement Through Storytelling to Create Shareable Content

Storytelling is a powerful tool for creating emotionally engaging content. By weaving a narrative into your content, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level and inspire them to share your message.

• Creating an Emotional Connection: The first step in harnessing emotional engagement through storytelling is to create an emotional connection with your audience. This involves understanding their needs, desires, and challenges, and then crafting a story that resonates with these experiences. Whether it’s a tale of overcoming adversity, a heartfelt success story, or a relatable anecdote, the goal is to make your audience feel something. When people are emotionally moved by a story, they are more likely to remember it and share it with others.
• Making Your Story Relatable: To ensure your story is relatable, consider your audience’s perspective. What are their values? What challenges do they face? What motivates them? By aligning your story with your audience’s experiences and emotions, you can create content that feels personal and relevant to them.
• Stirring Emotion with Authenticity: Authenticity is key in emotional storytelling. Audiences can tell when a story is genuine versus when it’s simply a marketing tactic. Be honest and transparent in your storytelling. Share real experiences and emotions, and your audience will appreciate your authenticity and be more likely to engage with and share your content.
• Encouraging Action: Finally, use your story to encourage action. This could be sharing your content, signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or any other action that aligns with your marketing goals. By creating an emotional connection through your story, you can motivate your audience to take action.

Leveraging Visuals for Better Engagement

Let’s talk about visuals.

Their power is undeniable in the realm of social media.

Pictures and videos are attention magnets.

Using Tools to Create Engaging Visuals

You don’t need to be a professional designer to create shareable visuals.

Canva is a great option for creating stunning visuals.

Consistency is Key in Content Strategy

If you want to succeed in content marketing, Moz’s guide says it all: Be consistent.

Not occasionally. Not when you feel like it.

All. The. Time.

Frequent Posting? Yes, Please.

Create shareable content regularly, folks. Your audience craves fresh material.

Blogs not your thing? No problemo. A fun infographic or YouTube short can always do the trick. 

Encouraging User Interaction with CTAs

A call-to-action (CTA) is a game-changer. It’s the spark that ignites user interaction. Your blog posts absolutely need them.

Why? Because the right CTA nudges your audience towards sharing content. Social media users have a penchant for spreading the word, and CTAs can be employed to motivate them to do just that.

Take a look at this example from Buzzfeed:

“Share this post if you love pizza.”

And here’s another one from Upworthy:

“Click here to share this heartwarming video with your friends.”

By tapping into the emotions of their audience, CTAs can be crafted to make people feel good and thus more likely to share. When people feel good, they are more likely to share.

So, how do you craft these shareable CTAs?

Start by knowing your audience well. Understand what makes them tick and what will resonate with them. Use these insights to create CTAs that have maximum impact.

Make your CTAs personal and relevant. Tailor them to the specific content and the interests of your audience.

Don’t forget about the power of social validation. People are more likely to share something if they see that others have already done so. Consider using CTAs like:

• “Join the thousands of people who have already shared this post.”
• “Be part of the viral trend – share this video now.”

And remember, location-based businesses can also benefit from CTAs. If you have a local business, consider using CTAs that are specific to your area. For example:

So, don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted CTA. It could be the difference between a like or a share.

Key Takeaway: 
Crafting effective call-to-action (CTA) statements is crucial for encouraging user interaction and sharing of content. By understanding your audience, personalizing CTAs, and leveraging social validation, businesses can increase the likelihood of their content being shared. Additionally, location-based businesses should consider using CTAs specific to their area to further engage local audiences.

Making Your Content Easily Shareable

Include share buttons on your content. Yes, this is only a fraction of the battle, but certainly helpful.

Here are some additional steps that can help you:

• Tailor your content for each social media platform.
• Incorporate Click-to-Tweet Links
  Include easily tweetable snippets in your content.
• Promote Social Sharing in Emails and Newsletters

Developing a Game Plan for Link Building Through Shareable Content

Link building is a critical component of SEO strategy. It involves obtaining backlinks from other websites to your own, which can significantly improve your site’s search engine rankings. Here’s how you can develop a game plan for link building through shareable content.

• Understand Your Target Audience: Identify the interests, needs, and online behavior of your target audience. This will guide your content creation process, ensuring that the content you produce is relevant, valuable, and appealing to them.
• Create High-Quality, Shareable Content: Once you understand your audience, start creating high-quality content that they will find useful or entertaining enough to share. This could include blog posts, infographics, videos, or guides. Remember, the more shareable your content, the higher the chances of earning backlinks.
• Utilize Various Content Formats: Different content formats appeal to different audiences. Some users prefer visual content like infographics or videos, while others prefer long-form articles or guides. By utilizing various content formats, you increase your chances of reaching a wider audience and earning more backlinks.
• Reach Out to Relevant Websites and Influencers: Identify websites, bloggers, and influencers in your industry who might be interested in your content. Reach out to them with personalized messages, letting them know about your high-quality, shareable content. If they find it valuable, they might link to it from their website or share it with their audience.
• Promote Your Content: Don’t just publish your content and wait for backlinks to come. Actively promote your content through social media, email newsletters, and other promotional strategies. The more visibility your content gets, the more likely it is to earn backlinks.

By following this game plan, you can effectively leverage shareable content to boost your link-building efforts and improve your website’s SEO performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating shareable content is a powerful strategy in digital marketing. By understanding the elements that make content shareable, such as social validation, humor, and informative/instructional value, businesses can increase their chances of getting their content shared on social media networks.

To enhance engagement and encourage shares, it’s important to harness emotional engagement, leverage visuals with tools like Canva and PicMonkey for creating engaging images, maintain consistency in content strategy, and encourage user interaction through effective CTAs. Making your content easily shareable by optimizing sharing buttons and developing a game plan for local link building can also contribute to increasing shares.