The Psychology of Asking for Reshares: What Works
Early in my career, I thought good content would naturally get shared. But I quickly learned that no matter how insightful or well-designed a post is, if you don’t understand the psychology of content reshares, your engagement will plateau. People don’t just share content because it’s great — they share it because it makes them feel a certain way, reflect their identity, or build their social currency. Over the years, I’ve experimented with everything from subtle CTAs to direct ask strategies, and what I discovered is simple: people will reshare your content, but only when you speak to the right psychological trigger. This blog breaks down exactly how to get more reshares using psychological principles — not manipulation — and how to embed those triggers into your content strategy. “According to The New York Times Customer Insight Group, the top reason people share content is to bring valuable and entertaining content to others.” Source: NYT Insights Study Let’s break down the principles and strategies I’ve used to drive real reshares — intentionally and consistently. Why Reshares Matter in Your Content Strategy Content reshares are more than vanity metrics. When someone reshares your content, you’re not just increasing reach — you’re earning trust. It’s a referral, a social proof, and an amplification tool all in one. Here’s what happens when your content gets reshared: Expanded visibility beyond your direct followers Algorithmic boosts on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook Increased trust and perceived authority Backlink opportunities and mentions “Pro Tip: Reshared content performs 2x better in terms of engagement than non-reshared posts.” Source: BuzzSumo The Psychology of Content Reshares: What Actually Drives People You can’t force people to share — but you can make them want to. Over time, I’ve learned to tap into these core psychological drivers when asking for reshares: 1. Identity Expression People share content that reflects how they see themselves or want to be perceived — smart, funny, insightful, helpful. If your post aligns with their personal brand, it becomes share-worthy. 2. Social Currency Sharing useful or exclusive information makes people feel “in the know.” They gain credibility by associating with insightful or timely content. 3. Emotional Resonance Content that evokes strong emotions — surprise, joy, anger, inspiration — is far more likely to be shared. This doesn’t mean clickbait, it means emotional storytelling. 4. Community Building Posts that make someone feel part of a tribe or niche community naturally get shared among peers and groups. 5. Practical Value How-to’s, checklists, cheat sheets — anything that makes someone look helpful or resourceful to others boosts share likelihood. “Pro Tip: Ask yourself: Would someone feel proud or smart sharing this content? If yes, you’ve hit the right trigger.” How I Strategically Ask for Reshares (Without Feeling Spammy) Over the years, I’ve refined the way I ask for reshares. Here’s what works in my experience — and what doesn’t. ✅ What Works: “If this helped you, share it with someone who needs it.” “Tag a teammate who’d benefit from this.” “Know someone struggling with this? Pass this along.” “Reshare this if you agree.” ❌ What Doesn’t Work: “Please reshare!!!” (Too desperate) “Go viral now” (Feels forced) “Like and share for the algorithm” (Fatigue-triggering language) The most effective asks are soft, embedded in value, and built on the principle that people want to help others. Content Formats That Naturally Encourage Reshares Not all content is created equal when it comes to reshare potential. Here’s what I’ve found works best: Carousels with tips or frameworks Infographics that summarize complex ideas Quote graphics that inspire or provoke thought Mini case studies with unexpected results Checklists people want to save or share Opinion posts that echo popular sentiment I create these using Canva, Visme, and Typefully for thread planning. “Pro Tip: Saveable content gets reshared more — design posts that double as resources.” Tools That Help Track and Boost Reshare Rates Tracking resharing behavior helps me refine strategy. I use: BuzzSumo to analyze content shares across social LinkedIn Analytics to monitor post reshares Not Just Analytics for Instagram performance Hypefury for Twitter auto-retweets and reposts These tools help me see what kind of language, structure, and format gets reshared most — so I can reverse-engineer it. Final Thoughts When it comes to increasing shares, the key isn’t just in what you say — it’s in how you make people feel. Understanding the psychology of content reshares allows you to create content that people want to be associated with. That’s the kind of content that travels. “Pro Tip: People share content that reflects their identity, not yours. Craft your message with them in mind — not you.” Want access to my full content reshare framework, including post templates and CTA variations that drive organic amplification? Check out my Reshare Strategy Playbook for copy-and-paste frameworks that convert. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. Why do people reshare content on social media? People reshare content that reflects their identity, adds value to their network, or triggers emotional or social reactions like pride, empathy, or usefulness. 2. How do I ask for reshares without sounding needy? Use soft language like “Share with someone who needs this” or “Tag a friend” instead of begging. Focus on helping others rather than promoting yourself. 3. What types of content get reshared most? Infographics, checklists, mini-guides, thought-provoking quotes, and carousels tend to get reshared more than plain text or sales content. 4. Does using emotional triggers really increase reshares? Yes. Content that triggers emotion and surprise, anger, happiness, or nostalgia — significantly increases engagement and sharing behavior. 5. What tools can I use to track social media reshares? Use BuzzSumo, Hypefury, Not Just Analytics, or native analytics from LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to monitor sharing metrics. 6. Should I ask for reshares on every post? No. Use reshare CTAs selectively on high-value posts. Constant asking can create fatigue and reduce effectiveness over time. Also Read: Scaling a PPC Campaign Without Wasting Budget SEO for E-commerce: How to Rank Higher and Drive
The Psychology of Asking for Reshares: What Works Read More »