Viral Videos: The Science of Making Content That Spreads Like Wildfire

Key Takeaways

  • Learn the six key ingredients for creating viral videos: brevity, strong brand identity, unexpected content, humor, parody, and user-generated content.
  • Avoid common mistakes like excessive length, lack of a clear message, and poor production quality.
  • Promote your viral videos through social media, website embedding, video sharing sites, and advertising to maximize their reach.

Imagine this: You wake up one morning to find a video you posted the night before has gone viral. It’s been viewed by millions, shared countless times, and even featured on major news outlets. The feeling is surreal, like you’ve accidentally tapped into some secret formula for internet stardom. But what is it about certain videos that makes them so irresistibly shareable? Is there a magic ingredient, a viral pixie dust that can be sprinkled onto any content to guarantee its success?

While there’s no surefire recipe for creating a viral video, there are certain qualities that tend to make them stand out from the crowd. Here are six key ingredients that will help you craft content that spreads like wildfire:

1. Keep it Short

In the age of dwindling attention spans, brevity is king. Videos under 60 seconds are far more likely to retain viewers’ attention and encourage social sharing. People are more likely to watch a video to the end if they know it won’t take up too much of their time. Remember, every second counts when it comes to capturing and holding your audience’s attention.

2. Demonstrate a Strong, Consistent Brand Identity

Your videos should be a reflection of your brand’s personality. They should clearly portray your brand’s identity and desired image. Create a consistent persona that resonates with viewers and is easily recognisable. This will help you build a loyal following of people who are interested in what you have to say and share.

3. Is That Real?

Videos that elicit reactions of disbelief or surprise are more likely to be shared. This is because people are naturally curious and want to know more about things that seem too good to be true. If you can create a video that makes people question their own reality, you’re on to a winner.

4. Hilarious Content

Make people laugh with relatable and entertaining videos. Focus on humor that appeals to a wide audience. If you can make people laugh, they’re more likely to share your video with their friends and family. Humor is a powerful tool that can be used to connect with people on a deeper level and make your videos more memorable.

5. Newsjack With Parody

Create parodies of popular events, songs, or people. This leverages the recognition and appeal of existing content. If you can create a clever and funny parody, you’re likely to tap into a large audience who is already interested in the topic.

6. Leverage User-Generated Content

Engage customers and fans by inviting them to create videos. Run contests to generate user-submmitted content and increase reach through word-of-mouth. User-generated content is a great way to build community and give your audience a chance to get involved with your brand. It can also help you generate a lot of content without having to do all the work yourself.

Bonus: Remember, creating viral videos is not an exact science. There’s no guarantee that any particular video will go viral, even if it has all the right ingredients. But by following these tips, you can increase your chances of creating content that people will love to share.

So what are you waiting for? Start creating some amazing videos and see if you can make them go viral!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the best length for a viral video?

The ideal length for a viral video is between 20 and 60 seconds. This is long enough to get your message across but short enough to keep people’s attention.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating viral videos?

Some common mistakes to avoid include making your videos too long, not having a clear message, and using poor production quality. You should also avoid being too salesy or promotional.

How can I promote my viral videos?

Once you’ve created a great viral video, you need to promote it so that people can find it. Share it on social media, embed it on your website, and submit it to video sharing sites. You can also run ads to promote your video and reach a wider audience.


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