You’ve probably seen the videos that explode across the internet like wildfire, racking up millions of views, and transforming brands from just another name in the market to household icons. But here’s the thing, viral videos aren’t just happy accidents. They’re the product of clever strategies, sharp insights, and, sometimes, a bit of wild creativity.
Take Blendtec’s “Will It Blend?” series. Tom Dickson, the blender company’s CEO, had a simple yet genius idea: show how powerful his blenders are by pulverizing just about anything including an iPhone. The result? Millions of views and a massive boost in sales. The magic here was in combining the absurd with the practical, creating a spectacle that people couldn’t help but share.
Then there’s Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like,” starring Isaiah Mustafa. Wieden+Kennedy, the creative minds behind this viral sensation, tapped into something truly brilliant: they didn’t just sell a product, they sold a fantasy a suave, confident man who could turn even the dullest of days into something extraordinary. The result? Old Spice didn’t just dominate YouTube; they saw a 125% increase in sales, proving that humor, charm, and a bit of absurdity can go a long way.
But these aren’t just one-off successes. They’re the result of understanding the art and science of virality. Here is our guide to make viral videos in 2024:
The Steps to Make a Viral Video
1) Understand Your Audience
Think of your audience as your compass if you’re not heading in the direction they care about, you’re lost. Understanding what your audience loves, hates, fears, and desires is key to producing a video that they’ll want to share. Let’s take a walk down memory lane with BuzzFeed, the masters of viral content. They don’t just throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks; they analyze data and trends to know exactly what their audience craves. Remember the “Try Guys” series? It became a sensation because it tapped into relatable experiences and presented them with a humorous twist that audiences couldn’t get enough of.
BuzzFeed knew their audience liked seeing people put into hilariously awkward situations, so they gave them more of it wrapped up in a bow of relatability. This wasn’t by chance; it was the result of understanding their viewers’ psyches. When you know what buttons to push, you’re not just making a video you’re crafting an experience that resonates.
2) Craft a Compelling Story
People don’t just remember stories they live them. A well-crafted narrative can turn a simple video (either live-action or even video animation) into an unforgettable experience. Take the legendary “Share a Coke” campaign by Coca-Cola. This wasn’t just a video; it was a story where the viewer was the main character. By personalizing their product with names, Coke turned a standard soda into a storytelling vehicle. People began sharing their Coke stories, turning the brand’s simple video ads into a viral movement.
The success of “Share a Coke” lies in its ability to weave a narrative that’s all about the viewer. They weren’t just watching a commercial they were part of the story. By using storytelling techniques like the hero’s journey or the three-act structure, you too can create a narrative arc that pulls people in and makes them feel something be it joy, nostalgia, or even a bit of mischief.
3) Create a Nice Hook
You’ve got about three seconds to make someone stop scrolling and start watching. No pressure, right? The hook is where you grab attention and refuse to let go. Just look at the Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign. How did it start? With Isaiah Mustafa, shirtless, staring directly into the camera saying, “Hello, ladies.” Bam! Hooked. You couldn’t help but keep watching because it was unexpected, intriguing, and just a little bit absurd.
The success of this ad lies in its ability to immediately pull you in with something out of the ordinary. A captivating hook doesn’t just stop the scroll; it demands attention and makes viewers curious about what’s coming next. Whether it’s a shocking statement, an emotional appeal, or an unusual visual, your hook is the key to ensuring your video isn’t just watched but also shared.
By combining a deep understanding of your audience, a well-crafted story, and a killer hook, you set the stage for a video that not only resonates but also has the potential to go viral.
4) Keep It Short and Focused
In the world of online content, brevity is the soul of wit and virality. We live in an era where a goldfish might outlast the average human attention span, which means you need to deliver your message fast, punchy, and to the point. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok thrive on this principle. Just look at how TikTok became a global sensation: it’s built around the idea of snappy, engaging content that delivers maximum impact in minimal time.
Take TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, for example. Her rise to fame wasn’t due to long monologues or elaborate stories. It was her 15-second dance clips short, sweet, and addictive that hooked millions of followers. The key? Her videos were focused, easy to consume, and left viewers wanting more. This doesn’t just apply to dance videos whether you’re selling a product, telling a story, or delivering a message, keeping it short increases the likelihood that your audience will watch till the end and hit that all-important share button.
5) Ensure High-Quality Production
Imagine you’re watching a video, and the audio crackles like a broken radio, or the lighting makes everything look like it’s filmed in a cave. Chances are, you’re clicking away faster than you can say, “next!” High-quality production is your ticket to keeping viewers engaged. It’s not just about looking pretty; it’s about ensuring your message comes through loud and clear.
Look at Apple’s product launch videos. These are essentially ads, but they’re shot with the kind of precision and polish that make them feel like cinematic experiences. The crisp visuals, flawless audio, and smooth editing all work together to convey a message of premium quality. And guess what? That reflects on the brand itself. When your video looks professional, it tells the audience that your product or whatever you’re promoting is worth their time and attention.
6) Plan for Virality
If you’re aiming for your video to spread like wildfire, you need to fuel the flames. Planning for virality means building in elements that people can’t resist sharing. Think of it as creating a perfect storm of emotions, humor, and relatability. Remember the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? It wasn’t just about dumping ice water over your head; it was the perfect combination of fun, a cause people cared about, and the challenge element that made it irresistible to share.
Incorporate a strong call-to-action (CTA) that encourages viewers to engage. Whether it’s asking them to tag a friend, share the video, or comment with their thoughts, a clear CTA can be the nudge they need to spread your content. But it’s not just about asking; it’s about making them feel compelled to act because the content was so good they want to be part of the conversation.
7) Optimize for SEO and Algorithm
So, you’ve made your video, and it’s pure gold. But if nobody sees it, does it even matter? Enter SEO and algorithm optimization your secret weapons to ensure your masterpiece doesn’t just sit in the corner of the internet collecting digital dust.
Take the viral success of makeup tutorials on YouTube, like those by beauty mogul Huda Kattan. Her videos aren’t just popular because she’s good at what she does; they’re discoverable because they’re packed with trending hashtags like #makeuptutorial and #beautyhacks. Her video titles are SEO gold, often incorporating popular search terms that beauty enthusiasts are likely to type into YouTube or Google.
The lesson? Don’t underestimate the power of keywords and hashtags. They’re not just buzzwords they’re the keys to unlocking visibility on crowded platforms. Optimize your title, description, and tags with trending and relevant terms to ensure that your video gets picked up by search engines and social media algorithms.
Your video thumbnails need to scream ‘Watch me!’. Make them irresistible.
8) Engage with Your Audience
Engagement is the name of the game when it comes to keeping your video in the spotlight. Think of it as a two-way conversation. You didn’t just make a video to shout into the void you want people to talk back. When you engage with your audience, you’re not just boosting your video’s visibility; you’re building a community.
For example, look at MrBeast. He is one of YouTube’s biggest stars, who’s famous for his jaw-dropping challenges and philanthropy. The reason his videos went viral wasn’t just the content but how he interacted with his audience. He doesn’t just post a video and forget about it, he responds to comments, asks for feedback, and even involves his viewers in future projects. This level of cool interaction turns viewers into loyal fans. These fans are more likely to share his videos and keep the momentum going.
So, don’t forget to respond to comments, ask questions, create polls, and encourage user-generated content related to your video. I know it can be a little time consuming and frustrating at times but trust me, it is worth it.
9) Leverage Social Media
You’ve got your video, it’s optimized for SEO, and your audience is buzzing. Now it’s time to set it loose on social media. But here’s the catch: each platform is its own beast. What works on YouTube might flop on Tiktok or Instagram, so you need to tailor your approach for each. Again, it can be a headache to make changes based on each platform but it is definitely the right thing to do.
Take a page from Nike’s playbook. They don’t just post the same stuff across all platforms. On Instagram, they might share a powerful image from a video with an inspiring caption, while on Twitter, they’ll use a snappy, hashtag-loaded tweet that invites users to watch and comment on. On YouTube, they’ll post the full video (4k resolution etc), optimized with the right tags and description. By adapting their content to fit the platform, they maximize reach.
The takeaway? Don’t just blast your video everywhere without a plan. Share it across multiple platforms, but make sure to tweak your content to fit each one’s unique features and audience. By leveraging the strengths of each platform, you’ll give your video the best shot at reaching as many eyes as possible.
10) Collaborate with Influencers
On the internet, Influencers are like the popular kids in school everyone wants to be in their circle. When you team up with them, you’re not just borrowing their spotlight; you’re getting a VIP pass to their fan base. And guess what? Their followers actually listen to what they say.
Take Fenty Beauty, for example. Instead of throwing money at traditional ads, they partnered with beauty influencers who genuinely loved their products. These influencers weren’t just salespeople; they were authentic voices who turned Fenty into a beauty juggernaut. By choosing the right influencers those who resonate with your brand you’re essentially getting them to do the heavy lifting. Their followers trust them, so when they talk about your video, it’s more likely to spread like wildfire.
11) Utilize Paid Promotion
Sometimes, even a killer video needs a little nudge to get noticed. That’s where paid promotion steps in. Think of it as giving your video a microphone at a crowded party suddenly, everyone can hear you. According to our experience, paid promotions can increase the speed of a video going viral.
Spotify did this brilliantly with their Premium ads. Instead of sitting back and hoping people would notice, they took out targeted ads across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. But these weren’t just any ads; they were tailored to speak directly to different groups of people whether you were a gym rat who needed offline playlists or a commuter tired of ads interrupting your music. The result? A whole lot of new sign-ups and a video campaign that actually moved the needle.
Paid ads are your ticket to getting noticed, especially when your video is fresh out of the oven. Target the right audience, and you’ll see those views and shares start to climb.
Looking to Produce a Viral Video?
With over a decade of experience creating amazing commercials, both animated and live-action, we’ve helped clients go viral in no time. Get in touch with our team here: Kasradesign.com/get-a-quote/