How to Go Viral with Effective Onboarding Strategies

How to Go Viral with Effective Onboarding Strategies

In today's digital age, going viral is the ultimate goal for many businesses. The ability to reach a large audience and generate buzz can lead to exponential growth and success. However, achieving viral status is no easy feat. It requires a strategic approach and a deep understanding of what drives people to share and engage with content. In this article, we will explore eight different ways to go viral and discuss the importance of onboarding in your growth strategy.

One of the most powerful forms of virality is inherent virality. This occurs when a person gets no value from a product unless other people use it as well. As a result, they feel compelled to share the product with others. This type of virality is often seen in social networking platforms or messaging apps. For example, when a person joins a messaging app, they can only communicate with others who are also on the platform. This inherent need for others to be a part of the experience drives users to invite their friends and family to join.

Collaboration virality is another effective way to go viral. In this case, a person can benefit from using a product individually, but they can also gain additional value from collaborating with others. This encourages users to invite their peers to join, as it enhances their overall experience. Collaboration virality is commonly seen in project management tools or online gaming platforms. When users see the benefits of working together or playing with others, they are more likely to spread the word and invite their network to join.

Communication virality is a unique form of virality that leverages existing communication channels, such as email. When a product is used to communicate with others, some of whom may be potential users, it naturally spreads the word about the product. For example, if a person uses a productivity tool to collaborate on a project with their team, they may invite others outside of their team to join the platform. By "riding" this communication channel, the product gains exposure and reaches a wider audience.

Incentivized virality is a method that works particularly well for content websites. It involves allowing users to take a piece of content and embed it anywhere on the web, with a link back to the original website. This encourages users to share the content on their own platforms, driving traffic back to the source. This form of virality is often seen in news articles or blog posts that provide embeddable widgets or shareable graphics.

Signature virality is another powerful way to go viral. When users embed a feature of your product on their own website or refer people to a hosted page with a specific feature, it includes a "powered by" signature at the bottom. This signature acts as a lead generation machine, as it exposes your product to a wider audience. This form of virality is commonly seen in software tools or plugins that offer customizable features for websites.

Social virality leverages existing social networks to spread the word about a product. When users sign up for a product using their social network ID, such as their Facebook ID, and then use the product, they automatically broadcast to their social graph that they are using it. This creates a ripple effect, as their friends and followers become curious about the product and may give it a try themselves. Social virality is often seen in apps or platforms that integrate with popular social networks.

Pure word of mouth is perhaps the most organic form of virality. It occurs when people spread the word about a product simply because they enjoyed it, it's free, or they think it's cool. Building an awesome product that people truly love is the first step to achieving pure word of mouth virality. Additionally, making the product special and giving people something to talk about can amplify its reach. This form of virality is often seen in consumer products or apps that provide a unique and enjoyable experience.

While these eight ways to go viral provide valuable insights into achieving exponential growth, it's important to note that onboarding plays a crucial role in your overall growth strategy. Onboarding refers to the process of familiarizing new users with your product and helping them understand its value. Without a solid onboarding strategy, your viral efforts may fall flat.

When it comes to onboarding, there are three actionable pieces of advice you should consider. First, get users to the core product value as fast as possible. Don't overwhelm them with unnecessary information or features. Focus on delivering the minimum amount of information needed for users to experience the valuable aspects of your product. This will help them quickly understand its benefits and increase the likelihood of them sharing it with others.

Second, remove all friction that distracts users from experiencing the product value. Retention is driven by a laser-focused approach to the core product experience. Don't bombard new users with features or options they don't need yet. Keep the onboarding process simple and streamlined, allowing users to grasp the basics before introducing additional complexities. By removing distractions, you create a smoother onboarding experience that encourages users to stay engaged.

Third, don't be afraid to educate users contextually. While simplicity is key in the onboarding process, there may be instances where providing contextual education can enhance the user experience. This can be done through tooltips, guided tours, or interactive tutorials. By educating users in a way that aligns with their specific needs and goals, you empower them to make the most of your product and become loyal advocates.

In conclusion, going viral requires a deep understanding of what drives people to share and engage with content. By incorporating the eight different ways to go viral into your growth strategy and implementing effective onboarding techniques, you can increase the likelihood of achieving exponential growth. Remember to focus on delivering value, removing friction, and educating users contextually. With the right approach, your product has the potential to reach a wider audience and become a viral sensation.