8 Creative Tips to Make Your Video Content Go Viral
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It’s no secret that video is currently one of the hottest ways to promote your business. Since I haven’t yet embraced it myself, I was thrilled when Brenna Clarine, who writes about video for the Valoso blog, offered to share some tips to help you gain more success with your videos.
Viral videos today aren’t as difficult of an undertaking as they used to be. With the right marketing, anyone can create successful viral video campaigns. As long as you keep your numbers relative, your business can make a successful viral video.
One tip we’re going to skip is that your content needs to be short to go viral. It’s rare that content over five minutes long hits it big on the internet. Let’s look at some creative viral video ideas for creating viral videos in 2017.
1. Determine if your content is viral.
Don’t fall into the trap of being clouded by your own opinions about your viral video content. It’s easy to become blind to the quality and virality of your content when you spend hours on end producing it.
Some simple market research may be a creative way to ensure your video’s success. Survey your existing audience on social media or in person about your video idea and execution.
2. Introduce a new spin on an old topic.
It’s been said that no content idea is completely original. Therefore, coming up with a new spin on an already viral topic may be a unique way to gain attention on the internet.
For example, doing your own spoof of a popular viral video could be one idea. Talking about a trending topic may be the key to creating a viral video on Facebook. No matter what you choose to write about, make sure the topic is relevant to your audience.
3. Don’t try too hard.
Viewers can sense when a video is just wanting to be viral. Be true to your brand and shoot for organic views. There’s nothing wrong with wanting viral video views. But, if your only focus is the numbers, your viewers will see right through it and will not value your brand.
Instead of selling your business, the central ingredient of any viral video formula should be to add value to the audience. Viral videos don’t have to be hilarious—they may entertain, inform, intrigue, or inspire.
4. Pitch your viral video.
Reaching organic numbers on your own can be difficult. Instead, marketing a viral video to individuals, businesses, and groups within your niche can help widen your audience.
The first key to pitching to more influential figures is to give, not ask. Share your video with them and explain how it relates to their followers, but don’t ask them to share it on social media. They’ll understand the hint and decide whether or not to promote your video.
5. Create your own trend.
The key to producing a viral video is creativity. Your business must stand out from your competitors to make an impact online. Although you can relate your viral video to relevant topics, creating your own trend may be the key to organic success.
Many individuals and brands have created their own trends just by posting a video on social media. One positive side of this is that trends naturally encourage sharing.
6. Leave your content open-ended.
YouTube viral videos may be as short as 20 or 30 seconds. In this small amount of time, you can hook your viewers and leave them wanting more.
Creating a full storyline to go along with your viral video isn’t a bad idea, but leaving it open-ended may engender more retention. If your viewers are left wanting more, they will be encouraged to share the video so their friends can experience the same wonder.
7. Use visuals. Use them.
You are creating a video, not a blog post or an infographic. Take advantage of gripping visuals. Video is the most versatile digital medium. Play around with text, B-roll footage, and other viral video effects.
In the above video, the creator doesn’t show herself dancing in her studio or bedroom for 365 days. She switches up the setting every day. She uses out-of-the-ordinary settings that make the video evermore effective.
8. Evaluate what you could improve.
Finally, understand that you cannot control virality. Instead of becoming frustrated or spending more and more on viral video advertising, evaluate your statistics. By remembering this step, you will be able to come up with more fitting ideas for a viral video.
Did you receive a low number of comments? Did most of your shares only sprout from one social media source? Was your viewer interaction high but your number of viewers low?
Conclusion
If done right, viral video production is one of the most profitable investments your business can make. Do not expect every video you create to go viral. Instead, focus on providing regular, valuable video content while shooting for the occasional viral video to expand your audience. If you find yourself in a rut, go back to the drawing board and let your creativity run wild.
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Great advice. Videos are very helpful. I find that the shorter the video the better because the video usually is straight and to the point. It’s also easier to tag also.
Short and to the point is good! Most of us have very short attention spans. 🙂
I would agree that shorter videos definitely have a greater tendency to go viral. In fact, there are plenty of statistics to back up this claim (just do a quick Google search!) Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I’ve been experimenting with producing videos for a while now. Brenna’s given me some great things to consider. I haven’t been thinking “viral,” but more experimenting with the flexibility and fun that videos have. Just love the example of the dance video! So well done and effective.
I love seeing people being so innovative. Maybe someone should do a time lapse video of an organizing project!
I do enjoy seeing your creative videos, even if they’re not the type to go “viral”. 🙂
I am glad you found value in my article! Experimenting with video production and video marketing is the key to finding the right formula that works for you 🙂
Wow – this is an area for growth for me! I know that videos are hot right now, so I should give it some more time on the agenda. 20 seconds, huh? Now THAT is a challenge!
20 seconds could be good for anyone who is camera shy!
I personally don’t have the patience to sit through long videos, so the shorter it is, the more likely I am to watch!
Viral videos definitely do not have to be very long. One growing video trend is creating a “mini-trailer” for a longer video. For example, creating a 20-second promo video for a 15-minute tutorial. This gives you the chance to hook more viewers. Good luck with formulating your own video marketing strategy that works for you, Seana 🙂
This is so timely, as I am trying to do more videos. I find that the tech aspect of it is what stops me. I like the idea about ‘pitching’ the video. . . hadn’t thought of that!
Just imagine how far our reach could be if we promoted ourselves every way possible!
I am glad you found value in the article! Tech does seem to stop a lot of people from producing videos—writing an article or SM post seems much easier.
However, once you get past this roadblock and build your initial setup for videos, video production becomes a breeze. All you need to create high-quality videos is a smartphone or other video camera, a microphone, a tripod, and a lighting setup, all of which can be purchased for less than $50-$100 (except for the phone or camera 😉
I hope you find the courage to get started with video marketing—take the first step!
Love these ideas! I’ve been doing videos for the past 6 months on a consistent basis and have found them to be far more reaching than before I started. I’m always looking for new ways to share my videos so thanks for the helpful tips!
I’ve noticed that you’ve been very active with videos lately. Maybe you’ve got a tip or two to share as well!
That is awesome to hear that you have reaped the reward of video marketing. Keep going at it!
Definitely an area that I need to step into–even if I stay behind the camera & add the commentary!
We just talked about using video marketing at the NAPO-Ohio meeting.
It’s just getting bigger and bigger! Pretty soon it will be like having a website or a Facebook page…
For sure! Any type of video marketing is worth it. Good luck!
Brenna, I also think that video is one of the hottest ways to promote your business. It needs time and resources to create a content. I create something similar here – https://kparser.com/youtube-video-ideas/. I concentrate on professional approach in business, to create good ranked videos. You need to know your sphere and raise your skills step-by-step to make your video content the best.
Thanks for sharing, Garry! I’m glad you agree with me on the power of video marketing 🙂
These are amazing video ideas. Video Marketing is one of the finest ways to improve your brand’s recognition.
Not only for the brands but a huge number of creators are also bagging a lot of money from YouTube, All you need to do is studying the kind of videos which could go viral. Thanks for such such Youtube Video Ideas. Thanks, Brenna.
Tips mentioned in the article are great. You can also share your videos on social media like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to make it viral and reach more audience. This is an easy way to attract more people.
Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.