We've gotten so used to this phrase being thrown around that it's become rather stale. But let's review how it became so factual today: Bill Gates published an article on the topic in January 1996. Yes, the Microsoft founder wrote this article more than two decades ago. It is still very important today. We won't delve into Gates' writings in this blog post, but if you haven't already, we highly recommend that you do. We can all agree that it has become crucial for brands to communicate with their target audience through a company blog or an active presence on the right social media platform. Creative content is the foundation on which a brand strives for exposure. This is true whether they are a personal brand or a business offering a product/service. If you own a blog, you already know that creating content that improves SEO is important. But that's not all. Especially today, in the age of social media marketing, you must constantly promote your creative content to expand its reach. This is where the audience gets involved. What better way to engage an audience than to show them what they want to show others? Share Content: Take Audience Engagement to the Next Level Today, brands strive to create content that engages audiences and enhances communication. Getting your followers to share what you post is the "holy grail" of engagement. It will definitely increase your exposure when your content is shared. Even better, people will see your brand as more trustworthy when their friends or anyone of any reputable reputation showcases your content with a "Upvote". Of course, we should all be committed to generating content worth sharing. But how do we know what will force people to share? Let's look at the psychology of sharing for a better understanding. Why do people share?
To understand what actually constitutes shareable content, we should first ask ourselves why they might share it in the first place. Thankfully, a solid study by The New York Times and Latitude Research has provided us with valuable insights. You might think people share just to get noticed, but that's just a small part of it. The results of the aforementioned study, titled "The Psychology of Sharing," identified five key motivations for sharing: 1. Bring valuable and interesting content to others 49% of study respondents said they want to share something they find valuable with people they care about. Sharing is a way for them to inform others about a product they like, possibly encouraging them to take action or change their opinion. 2. Define yourself 68% claim that the content they industry mailing list gives people a better understanding of who they are. The content they present is not only a way to define themselves to others, but also reinforces their own identities by reflecting who they are or what they aspire to be. 3. Develop and nourish relationships 78% of respondents found sharing a way to stay connected or build stronger bonds. It's also a way to connect with like-minded people and become part of a community. 4. Self-actualization 69% share information they find valuable or inspiring because it makes them feel more engaged in the world. They want to be recognized for the valuable information they share. The study also found that people tend to value information more when spreading it and prefer content when it is shared with them. 5. Promot