Athletes, leagues and teams rely on social media to connect with fans, drive engagement and create enduring memories. But every now and then, a moment goes viral that transcends the box score and captures the world’s imagination. From a dog saving a soccer goal to an NFL player’s troll-tastic handshake, these memorable sports moments captivate audiences, break down barriers and inspire conversation across the globe.
Viral content must be “built to show, built to grow.” If your story is clunky and difficult to read, your audience may not share it. Likewise, sensitive topics, polarizing opinion pieces and NSFW content can prevent people from sharing. To avoid this, test your article before posting it to see how it sounds out loud. If it sounds awkward or has unnatural rhythms, rework it.
The most resonant stories feature relatable characters, a strong sense of timing and an emotional arc that tugs at the heartstrings. It’s also important to include visuals that are engaging and easy on the eyes. Lastly, remember that a good story needs to be believable. If readers don’t believe it, they won’t care about it. If you’re not sure whether your story is resonant, ask a friend for feedback. They can help you identify awkward phrasing and unnatural rhythms, and they’ll be able to tell if the story is compelling and relevant to their lives. Then they might be more inclined to share it with their friends. The infamous moment when Olympic shooter Jump rushed on to the podium during a competition to place a Catalan hat on the trophy, is a perfect example of this.
