Read Time: 8.0 minutes

Hey there, Creators!

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

You pour your expertise and passion into every post, but sometimes, it just gets seven likes… even though you have thousands of followers.

Don't beat yourself up about it.

Creating viral content is more challenging than teaching a cat to swim.

But I've got a solution you’ve been looking for.

Enter the STEPPS model, a powerful framework for consistently engineering contagious content that your audience will want to share.

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

"Going viral isn't about luck. It's about science."

Jonah Berger

From Zero to Hero: How I’m Growing My Followers With An Automated AI Process

As someone who's built a profitable online business from scratch, I know how game-changing the right strategies can be for your bottom line.

After being completely burned out on creating content, I was determined to build a more automated process to double my content output while doing half as much work.

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 under 2 hours

• Grow my audience on autopilot while capturing and following up with leads automatically

• Automate and generate content that authentically resonates with my ideal audience, keeping them returning for more

My recent results were so encouraging that I knew I had to share my strategies with fellow content creators and entrepreneurs in a more community-based method.

And so, The AI Escape Community was born.

>>> Click here to get on our list for early access to The AI Escape Community so we can help you leverage AI and automation inside your business as a content creator.

Examining The Art and Science of Creating Viral Content

Here's the thing I have learned about content that goes viral:

Whether it’s a text, image, video, or audio piece of content…

It's NOT just about having a great idea.

It's about presenting that idea to make people want to share it.

We're flooded with content in today's increasingly crowded digital landscape.

Your posts must trigger specific psychological responses in your audience’s brains to stand out and get shared.

This is where the STEPPS model can help you.

STEPPS stands for:

• Social Currency

• Triggers

• Emotion

• Public

• Practical Value

• Stories

By implementing these 6 elements into your social media strategy, you can significantly increase the potential for more of your audience to share that content.

Let's examine a real-world example of viral content that adheres to the STEPPS model: the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

Remember this uber-viral internet craze from years ago?

This campaign hit multiple STEPPS.

Let me explain.

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).

Because it hit all the categories of the STEPPS model, it grew so large that most Americans knew what the trend was.

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

1. Social Currency: Always 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 environmental cues 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 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 about paying off $100K in debt in less than a year, 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 by tagging the original creator, making participation visible and fun.

5. Practical Value: Give People Useful Information

People love to share helpful or problem-solving content. Provide practical, implementable 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 a soul-crushing cubicle job to a dream career in under 90 days, weaving practical job search tips throughout the narrative.

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

The 'Two-Tab Rule' changed my online life:

Close all but 2 browser tabs.

I went from a scattered mess to a focused beast.

Literally tripled my productivity and signed 3 new clients recently because of it.

Now, imagine how much more you’d accomplish with less digital clutter.

The “Contagious Content” Prompt

Ready to engineer your next viral piece of content? 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.

Replace [INSERT BRIEF CONTEXT] with a concise description of your 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, content creators, and digital entrepreneurs leverage AI tools to automate their businesses. My content focuses on practical AI applications, prompt engineering tips, and strategies for scaling a business with AI. I'm looking to grow my Threads, TikTok, and Instagram following and promote my upcoming course on AI for content creators."

WHAT YOU LEARNED TODAY

• The 6 key ingredients that make content irresistibly shareable (STEPPS: Social Currency, Triggers, Emotion, Public, Practical Value, Stories)

• How to apply the STEPPS model for your own social media strategy

• A powerful AI prompt for generating viral content ideas that hit all 6 STEPPS