How to Create Viral Content for Your Subscription Brand?

By Christy Bella

Going viral can transform a subscription brand overnight. Think of how Dollar Shave Club’s quirky launch video made waves, or how HelloFresh’s TikTok challenges got everyone talking about meal kits. Viral content isn’t just about views—it’s about creating moments that people want to share.

For subscription brands, going viral means standing out in a crowded market. Whether it’s a hilarious meme, a heartfelt customer story, or a trending hashtag, the right content can spark conversations and drive sign-ups.

A great example? A fitness subscription brand using user-generated content (UGC) to showcase real customer transformations. Authentic. Relatable. Shareable. And most importantly, lead-driven.

There are hundreds of brands and influencer marketing agencies like House of Marketers that are sending content viral on a daily basis. This guide will break down how to craft viral content step-by-step. From understanding your audience to leveraging UGC content marketing, you’ll learn how to create buzz-worthy campaigns that people can’t stop talking about.

Let’s get started!

Viral Content Creation for Your Subscription Brand 101

There’s a science behind creating viral content. When analysed, viral content shares a few common traits across niches, platforms, and industries it connects, captivates, and compels people to hit the share button. It’s not random; it’s strategic.

For subscription brands, the stakes are even higher. Viral content can mean the difference between blending in or standing out in a crowded market.

Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud meme, an inspiring customer story, or a clever trend adaptation, the secret lies in creating moments that resonate deeply with your audience. The goal is to make your audience feel something: excitement, joy, curiosity, or even a little FOMO (fear of missing out).

Lets take a look at the key ingredients of viral content creation!

Step 1: Know Your Audience

Before you can create content that goes viral, you need to understand who you’re speaking to. Viral campaigns succeed because they resonate with the right people at the right time.

Here’s how to dig into your audience:

Create a Customer Persona:
- Who is your ideal subscriber?
- What are their interests, hobbies, and challenges?
- Where do they spend time online (TikTok, Instagram, or forums)?
Use Analytics:
- Dive into your website or social media data to identify patterns.
- Tools like Google Analytics or Instagram Insights can help.
Engage Directly:
- Run polls, ask questions, or monitor comments to understand your audience’s preferences.

Once you know your audience, you’ll have the blueprint for creating content they’ll want to share.

Step 2: Leverage UGC Content Marketing

User-generated content marketing (UGC) is a goldmine for subscription brands. It’s authentic, relatable, and best of all, it’s created by your customers. People trust real people, and UGC taps into that trust effortlessly.

Why UGC Works?

Authenticity: Your audience is more likely to trust a fellow customer’s glowing review than a polished ad.
Engagement: UGC invites interaction. When customers feel part of your story, they’re more likely to share it.
Cost-Effective: Let your audience do the heavy lifting! UGC campaigns often cost less than full-scale productions.

A meal kit subscription brand encouraged customers to share their meal-prep hacks using a branded hashtag. The result? Hundreds of creative, shareable posts that showcased their product in action.

How to Encourage UGC?

Create a Challenge: Launch a hashtag challenge on TikTok or Instagram, tied to your product.
Offer Incentives: Reward customers with discounts, free products, or shoutouts for sharing content.
Feature UGC Prominently: Share customer posts on your social channels to inspire others to join.

Take BarkBox, for example. Their witty dog meme campaigns and unboxing videos are share magnets, reaching pet lovers far and wide.

UGC makes your content feel personal and community-driven, a surefire way to boost shares and engagement and ultimately conversions!

Step 3: Tap into Trends

Trends are the lifeblood of viral content. The right trend at the right time can put your subscription brand on everyone’s radar. But jumping on trends isn’t just about timing it’s about execution.

Where to Spot Trends?

TikTok Creative Center: A hub for discovering trending hashtags, sounds, and challenges.
Competitor Analysis: See what’s working for other subscription brands in your niche.
Social Media Listening Tools: Platforms like BuzzSumo or Brandwatch help track trending topics.

You can create content around Seasonal Trends, memes and collaborations. For example, a stationery subscription box creating ‘Back-to-School’ unboxing videos. Partnering with influencers to join challenges or create viral-worthy moments.

Quick Tips for Using Trends

Be quick trends don’t wait!
Add your brand’s unique twist to make it memorable.
Ensure the trend aligns with your audience’s values and interests.

By riding the wave of trends, you can give your content the boost it needs to reach a wider audience.

Step 4: Craft Shareable Content

At its core, viral content is shareable content. It’s something people want to tag their friends in, repost on their feed, or rave about in group chats. For subscription brands, creating shareable content means being creative, authentic, and sometimes just a little unexpected.

What Makes Content Shareable?

Emotion: Does your content make people laugh, cry, or feel inspired? Emotional triggers are key to sharing.
Relevance: Does it address your audience’s needs, preferences, or daily challenges?
Simplicity: Is the message clear and easy to understand at a glance?
Call to Action: Does your content invite people to engage, tag a friend, or try your product?

Types of Viral-Worthy Content

Behind-the-Scenes: Show how your product is made or packaged.
Tutorials: Teach something useful, like “How to style this month’s fashion box” or “5 ways to use our meal kits.”
Challenges: Encourage user participation, like creating recipes using your product.
Customer Stories: Feature real subscribers sharing how your product transformed their daily routine.

Pro Tip: Design Matters

Eye-catching visuals, crisp edits, and compelling captions can make all the difference. Invest time in creating high-quality content that reflects your brand’s personality.

Step 5: Collaborate with Influencers

Influencers can be your brand’s megaphone. With their reach and relatability, they help you tap into new audiences and add a layer of authenticity to your campaigns. The key? Partnering with the right influencers for your niche.

Finding the Right Influencers

Look for micro-influencers (10K–50K followers) with highly engaged communities.
Check if their content aligns with your brand values.
Analyse their audience demographics—do they match your ideal customer profile?

Tips for a Successful Collaboration

Provide Creative Freedom: Let influencers create content in their own voice.
Use a Clear Brief: Share your goals, product details, and campaign hashtags.
Track Results: Use affiliate codes or UTM links to measure the campaign’s success.

Collaborating with influencers isn’t just about reach, it’s about building credibility and trust with your target audience.

Step 6: Test, Refine, and Scale

Not every piece of content will go viral, and that’s okay. What matters is learning from your campaigns and continuously improving your strategy.

How to Test Your Content?

A/B test headlines, visuals, and captions.
Post at different times to see what resonates best.
Experiment with formats—try reels, carousels, and short-form videos.

Key Metrics to Track

Engagement: Likes, comments, shares, and saves.
Reach: How many people saw your post?
Conversion Rate: How many viewers turned into subscribers?
Shareability: Are people tagging friends or reposting your content?

Once you identify successful content, amplify it:

Boost posts on social media for wider reach.
Repurpose high-performing content across platforms.
Build similar campaigns around the same themes.

Step 7: Encourage Community Engagement

Building a community around your subscription brand creates loyal advocates who amplify your content organically. When your audience feels connected, they’re more likely to share your posts and participate in challenges.

Ways to Build Community

Create Exclusive Groups: Offer your subscribers access to a private Facebook group or Discord channel. Use these spaces to foster discussions, run giveaways, or share sneak peeks of upcoming products.
Host Interactive Q&A Sessions: Go live on TikTok or Instagram to answer questions, share tips, or reveal behind-the-scenes insights. This real-time interaction builds trust and excitement.
Spotlight Your Community: Regularly feature your subscribers on your social channels. Highlight customer testimonials, share their creative UGC, or give shoutouts to your top contributors.

Conclusion

Creating viral content for your subscription brand isn’t just about luck it’s about strategy, creativity, and a deep understanding of your audience. By leveraging UGC content, riding trends, and collaborating with influencers, you can craft campaigns that not only grab attention but also drive results.

Now it’s your turn. Start experimenting with these steps, track your progress, and watch your subscription brand make waves online!

Author Profile

Christy Bella: Blogger by Passion | Contributor to many Business and Marketing Blogs in the United Kingdom | Fascinated with SEO and digital marketing and latest tech innovations |