What can you learn from BuzzFeed?
If you haven’t heard about BuzzFeed, you’re not wasting enough time online. It’s kind of like a combination of reddit and Huffington Post. Viral content online will get turned into editorialized articles and then posted on BuzzFeed. For instance, all of those delicious recipes on Pinterest for things like “nacho lasagna” or “cupcake pie” will get compiled into an article titled “18 Food Mashups That’ll Blow Your Mind.” Get the picture? Okay.
So how does BuzzFeed continue to grow such a large audience? (Besides pictures of food, cats and celebrities?) These 7 tips will give you an idea and can help your marketing strategy.
1. Keep content lighthearted – While what you’re selling might not be lighthearted, you can turn your content into something that is by taking a human interest angle. These kinds of articles get shared on social media more frequently.
2. Share new things – People want to feel smarter than others and to know what others don’t. Make sure to keep your customers in the know on the latest and greatest things, so they can brag at their next cocktail party or on social media.
3. Headlines – Your content won’t get read if they don’t click on the link. Headlines are key to a successful content marketing strategy! Hook the reader in with an informative, yet catchy headline.
4. Feel part of something larger – Customers want to feel like they are connecting to other people. Content that is relatable will get shared on more often on social media (because they want other people to relate to it as well!).
5. Variety – If you keep producing the same content over and over, people will bail. Switch up your marketing strategy – use a variety of articles, videos, infographics, images etc. to keep your customers coming back.
6. Weirdness sells – Who can resist clicking on content that peaks their curiosity? BuzzFeed is pretty weird, and yet people continue to flock to the website to see what it would be like “If Cher From Clueless Had Instagram” or if they have any of the “51 Signs You Are the Greatest Complainer That Ever Lived.”
7. Subtle advertising – One of the greatest parts of BuzzFeed is the subtle advertising – a very underrated marketing strategy in my opinion. Instead of large banners, side blocks or pop-ups, advertisers work with the editorial staff and sponsor specific posts. Yes, you will see that an article is sponsored by Virgin Mobile, but it’s not up in your face.
Now that you know some of the secrets to BuzzFeed’s success, how will you change your social media and marketing strategy? What’s your favorite article from BuzzFeed? Share in the comments below!
Photo Credit: Kelli Tokos
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