Going viral on social media isn’t about luck—it’s about understanding how people engage, what makes them respond, and how to structure posts that beg to be interacted with. I’ve had a few posts take off, and after dissecting them, I’ve realized there’s a method to the madness. If you want to increase engagement, attract followers, and get people talking, here’s what works.
1. Ask a Question That Begs to Be Answered
People love sharing their opinions, especially on things they feel strongly about. Questions that invite debate, spark curiosity, or create a mini identity crisis perform well.
Example:
“What is the true role of a writer in society?” (12K views, 102 replies)
Why it worked:
- It’s broad enough that anyone can answer, but deep enough to feel meaningful.
- No right or wrong answer, so people feel comfortable jumping in.
- Encourages discussion, which keeps the post alive.
How to replicate:
- Ask an open-ended question.
- Make it broad enough for engagement but specific enough to feel like a discussion.
- Keep it short and easy to respond to.
2. Make It Relatable
People engage with content that makes them feel seen. If they read it and think, “That’s me,” they’re more likely to like, share, or comment.
Example:
“How do people write at 5am? I can barely string a sentence together verbally until at least 8am.” (9.4K views, 249 likes)
Why it worked:
- Almost every writer has struggled with productivity at different times of the day.
- The humor makes it feel like a shared struggle rather than a complaint.
- The format is short and easy to read.
How to replicate:
- Think of a common struggle in your niche.
- Phrase it in a way that makes people nod and go, “Yep, same.”
- Keep it light and humorous.
3. Stir Up a (Fun) Debate
Want replies? Say something that gets people thinking—or arguing (nicely). Controversial but not actually divisive topics work best.
Example:
“Should science fiction and fantasy be lumped into one category SFF? We may as well put horror and romance together and start referring to HR writers.” (30K views, 215 likes, 164 replies)
Why it worked:
- Sci-fi and fantasy readers are passionate about their genres.
- The humor (“HR writers”) makes it playful rather than aggressive.
- It invites opinions without demanding them.
How to replicate:
- Pick a topic that people have strong feelings about.
- Use a bit of humor to make it fun.
- End with a question to encourage engagement.
4. Let People Promote Themselves (Under Your Post)
If you give people a reason to comment and a benefit for doing so, engagement skyrockets.
Example:
“My 9-year-old son says he has nothing to read. His reading age is 13. He likes it when people die in stories! Recommendations, please, and feel free to pimp your own books.” (17K views, 314 replies)
Why it worked:
- Personal touch makes it feel genuine, not just engagement-bait.
- Writers love sharing their work, so it gave them a reason to reply.
- Asking for recommendations is an easy, low-effort way for people to comment.
How to replicate:
- Ask for recommendations, advice, or insights.
- Let people promote themselves in the process.
- Keep the request clear and easy to engage with.
5. Acknowledge the Struggle of Social Media
People love talking about the weird, frustrating experience of trying to grow online. Calling it out can create instant camaraderie.
Example:
“It’s hard starting on X. You follow a load of people. They see you have no followers and decide you’re a bot. If you’re a human, let me know, and I’ll follow you.” (32K views, 905 likes, 455 replies)
Why it worked:
- Every new X user feels this struggle.
- The format is punchy, making it easy to read.
- The call to action (“If you’re human, let me know”) invites responses.
How to replicate:
- Call out a common frustration.
- Use short, digestible sentences.
- Add a call to action that invites replies.
Final Takeaways
Going viral isn’t about luck. It’s about:
✅ Asking questions people want to answer.
✅ Making posts easy to engage with.
✅ Using humor and personality.
✅ Encouraging discussion.
✅ Letting people promote themselves under your post.
If you keep these principles in mind, your chances of a viral post go way up. And if all else fails, just ask people what they think about a completely arbitrary topic. Turns out, we all have opinions on everything.
Give it a shot—and if you go viral, don’t forget to come back and tell me how it went. 😉