Arousal Leads to Content Sharing

Arousal is a state of heightened activity in our mind and body that makes us more alert. This increased alertness leads to greater content sharing, according to several studies, including Jonah Berger's in Contagious: Why Things Catch On. See his video.

If your content makes your audience more excited, amused, angry, anxious or in awe, then they are from 25-30% more apt to share. We see entire publishing models based on this with Buzzfeed, Dodofeed, and others. Even mainstream news outlets like CNN and Fox News now lead with this more share-able type of content.

Interestingly, Berger also found that when people jog or exercise they are more apt to share, as they are in a more aroused state. In fact, we tend to be more chatty when our blood is flowing and our brains are piqued. It has less to do with what triggers the arousal and more to do with just being emotionally aroused.

What implications does this have for you and your content marketing program? Or the booth for your next trade show? Perhaps even the conference room where you make a sale or generate marketing ideas? How can we apply the understanding of emotional arousal in our daily business flow?

If we can be more cognizant of emotional triggers, then perhaps we can vastly improve our marketing programs.

Check out more resources in my batch at SlideBatch: Arousal Leads to Sharing.