Hey there, solopreneur!

Creating content that truly resonates and spreads online can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle, can't it?

You're pouring your expertise and passion into every post, but sometimes it just ends up getting 3 likes.

Don't beat yourself up about it.

Writing viral content is trickier than eating wet cotton candy.

But I've got the cure.

Enter the STEPPS model: a powerful framework for engineering contagious content that your audience can't help but share.

This model hits specific viral psychological triggers in your readers, giving you the tools to craft posts that spread exponentially across social networks.

Today, we're diving deep into STEPPS, which will equip you with the knowledge to turn your social media strategy from guesswork to viral engineering.

You’ll learn:

• The 6 key ingredients that make content spread faster than gossip at a high school reunion

• How to apply the STEPPS model to your social media strategy (even if you're not a marketing guru)

• The “Contagious” prompt for effortlessly generating content that hits these shareable psychological triggers

Let's. Get. Contagious. 🦠

How I Gained 100K Followers in Under 3 Months

As someone who's built a thriving online business from scratch, I know firsthand how game-changing the right strategies can be.

After losing nearly everything in the FTX crypto collapse, I was determined to rebuild stronger than ever.

That's when I discovered the power of AI for content creation.

By leveraging AI tools and frameworks, I was able to:

• Create a week's worth of high-quality content in just 1 hour

• Skyrocket my audience growth to 100K followers in 65 days

• Generate content that authentically resonated with my ideal audience

The results were so transformative that I knew I had to share my strategies with fellow solopreneurs.

And so, The AI Audience Accelerator was born.

>>> Click here to learn how The AI Audience Accelerator can help you kickstart and grow a thriving online business.

The Art and Science of Viral Content

Here's the thing about content that goes viral:

It's not just about having a great idea.

It's about presenting that idea in a way that makes people want to share it.

In today's crowded digital landscape, we're all flooded with content.

For your posts to stand out and actually get shared, they need to trigger certain psychological responses in your audience’s brains.

That's where the STEPPS model comes in.

STEPPS stands for:

• Social Currency

• Triggers

• Emotion

• Public

• Practical Value

• Stories

By incorporating these 6 elements into your social media strategy, you significantly boost the shareability of your content.

Let's look at a real-world example of viral content that nailed the STEPPS model — The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Remember this giga viral internet craze from years ago?

This campaign hit multiple STEPPS.

It gave people Social Currency (being part of a trend), had a clear Trigger (the ice bucket), evoked Emotion (excitement and empathy), was very Public (video challenges), had Practical Value (raising awareness and funds), and told a Story (of people coming together for a cause).

Now, let's break down each step and explore how you can apply it to your own content:

1. Social Currency: Make Your Audience Look Good

We all want to seem smart, cool, and in-the-know. Social currency is about creating content that makes people feel like insiders when they share it.

How to use it:

• Share exclusive tips or "insider secrets" in your industry

• Be the first to spot and share emerging trends

• Create content that makes people look good when they share it

Example: A fitness solopreneur could share "5 Little-Known Ab Exercises the Pros Swear By" - giving their audience insider knowledge to impress their gym buddies.

2. Triggers: Plant Reminders in the Environment

Triggers are cues in the environment that remind people of your content, making them more likely to think about and share it.

How to use it:

• Link your content to common daily activities or current events

• Use catchy, memorable phrases or hashtags

• Create content tied to specific days of the week (e.g., #MotivationMonday)

Example: A productivity coach could create a series of "Coffee Break Tips" - short, actionable advice people are triggered to remember every time they grab their daily brew.

3. Emotion: Make People Feel Something

Content that evokes strong emotions - whether it's awe, amusement, or inspiration - is more likely to be shared.

How to use it:

• Tell stories that tug at the heartstrings

• Use humor to lighten up serious topics

• Create content that inspires or motivates

Example: A personal finance solopreneur could share a rags-to-riches story of how they paid off $100K in debt, evoking both inspiration and hope.

4. Public: Make Your Ideas Visible

The more visible something is, the more likely people are to talk about and share it.

How to use it:

• Create visually striking content (infographics, quote cards)

• Encourage user-generated content and reshares

• Use eye-catching headlines and thumbnails

Example: A fashion solopreneur could start a hashtag challenge encouraging followers to share their best thrift store finds, making participation visible and fun.

5. Practical Value: Give People Useful Information

People love to share content that's helpful or solves a problem. Provide practical value, and watch your shares soar.

How to use it:

• Create how-to guides and tutorials

• Share time-saving hacks or money-saving tips

• Curate lists of helpful resources

Example: A tech solopreneur could create a "5-Minute Guide to Securing Your Online Accounts" - quick, actionable advice people will eagerly share with friends and family.

6. Stories: Wrap Your Message in a Narrative

Humans are hardwired for storytelling. Package your ideas into compelling narratives that people want to retell.

How to use it:

• Share personal anecdotes that illustrate your points

• Use case studies to bring your advice to life

• Create "before and after" narratives showcasing transformation

Example: A career coach could share the story of a client who went from soul-crushing cubicle job to dream career in 90 days, weaving practical job search tips throughout the narrative.

Now, let’s tie it all together with a short example tweet that hits all 6 steps:

See how this type of tweet would make people look good for sharing it?

Now, let me show you my prompt for how AI can help you generate these contagious ideas for your own niche…

The Contagious Prompt

Ready to engineer your next viral hit? Plug your brand context into this AI prompt and watch the magic happen:

I want you to generate viral content ideas for my content business.

Here's some context about my brand:

[INSERT BRIEF CONTEXT]

Please help me brainstorm 5 content ideas that incorporate all 6 elements of the STEPPS model:

Social Currency: How can I make my audience feel like insiders?
Triggers: What environmental cues could I tie my content to?
Emotion: What strong emotions could my content evoke?
Public: How can I make my idea more visible and shareable?
Practical Value: What useful information can I provide?
Stories: What compelling narrative could I use to convey my message?

The output should be like this:

Explain each idea about what the post will be about in a full sentence.

Then underneath, explain in full sentences how it hits each STEPPS element.

Avoid using hashtags or exclamation points in the content ideas.

HOW TO USE THE CONTAGIOUS PROMPT:

1. Replace [INSERT BRIEF CONTEXT] with a concise description of your AI-focused niche, content focus, or business. Aim for 2-3 sentences that capture the essence of what you do and who you serve.

   • Example: "I'm an AI consultant helping solopreneurs leverage AI tools to automate their businesses. My content focuses on practical AI applications, prompt engineering tips, and strategies for scaling with AI. I'm looking to grow my Twitter following and promote my upcoming course on AI for entrepreneurs."

Here’s an example of the output it gave me based on my described niche:

Yup, I’m 100% adding these into my content idea database.

And I especially love how it tells me how it hits each trigger.

No more wondering in the dark why some content goes viral and some flops.

This prompt tells you exactly why these ideas will work.

Now it's your turn to put the STEPPS model into action.

Next time you're crafting a social media post, run it through the STEPPS checklist.

Does it make people feel like insiders?

Does it trigger a specific emotion?

Is it packaged in a compelling story?

The more STEPPS you can incorporate, the higher your chances of creating content that spreads like wildfire.

(Pun absolutely intended)

But before you go, I’d love to hear your opinion…

Which AI use-case would be most helpful for you on your content journey (to save time / increase quality)?

And if there’s anything specific you’d love to learn within these choices, please reply to this email with what exactly would be most useful to you.

Always love talking ideas with you guys.

Keep diving,

Ole