What motivational quotes can teach us about content marketing

Or we’ve seen a meeting start with a nifty PowerPoint slide blaring “Teamwork: When we all work together, we all win together.”

Today, motivational quotes go beyond corny, clichéd iterations. Quotations are having a “moment” on social platforms. People of all ages share hilarious eCards, witty Instagram notes, and flowery images with inspirational quotes and daily doses of motivation. “Quotes” is even a main Pinterest category.

So why are quotations one of the most viral forms of communication? There are a few key reasons, which we can all learn from as we create online content:

1. They make us feel shared emotion. I laughed. I cried. I shared. When you see your friend post a great quotation, you know exactly how they’re feeling at that moment; if you’re feeling the same way, you instantly feel a connection. Great storytelling makes us feel part of a shared narrative, as if we are not alone in our suffering or happiness, our anger or confusion.

2. They say more with less. Viral quotes are usually short, bold, and graphic. They use few words to make a big point. They’re a reminder that when it comes to evoking emotion, it’s better to be simple, authentic, and honest than profound and complex.