As social media continues to evolve and expand, the concept of viral content has become increasingly important for content creators. A viral video can bring unprecedented exposure to a brand or creator, and can even launch a career overnight.
It’s not surprising that content regularly goes viral on social media platforms, considering that 68% of consumers spend a quarter or more of their time on these platforms watching videos. While viral videos were once considered to be a stroke of luck where any element would appeal to the masses and give content creators their moment in the spotlight, newer platforms like TikTok and features like YouTube Shorts have made it possible to create viral content with some strategizing.
In the digital age, creating a viral video can be a game-changer for content creators and marketers alike. A viral video can bring an incredible amount of exposure to a brand or creator, and can even launch a career overnight.
But what exactly makes a video go viral on social media? Let’s break down the anatomy of a viral video and explore some of the key factors that contribute to its success. But what does it take to make a viral video? In this article, we’ll explore some tips and strategies for creating a video that has the potential to go viral.
1. Emotional Connection
One of the biggest drivers of viral content is the emotional connection it creates with its audience. Whether it’s humor, awe, or inspiration, a video that elicits a strong emotional response is more likely to be shared and spread across social media platforms.
A great example of this is the “Chewbacca Mom” viral video. In this video, a woman named Candace Payne films herself wearing a Chewbacca mask and laughing uncontrollably. The video quickly went viral, garnering over 166 million views on Facebook. What made this video so successful was the pure joy and humor that Candace exuded, creating a strong emotional connection with her viewers.
2. Shareability
A video that is easy to share and distribute is more likely to go viral. This means that the video should be optimized for the platform it’s being shared on, with clear titles, descriptions, and hashtags that make it easy for users to find and share.
A great example of this is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. This viral video challenge involved people pouring a bucket of ice water over their heads to raise awareness and funds for ALS research. The challenge quickly spread across social media platforms, with over 17 million videos uploaded to Facebook alone.
3. Timing
Timing is everything when it comes to viral content. A video that taps into a cultural moment or trend is more likely to be shared and talked about than a video that is out of touch or behind the times.
A great example of this is the “Damn, Daniel” viral video. This video features a teenager named Daniel wearing different outfits and his friend Josh commenting on them. The video went viral in 2016, at a time when the internet was obsessed with memes and viral challenges.
4. Length
In the fast-paced world of social media, attention spans are short. A video that is too long or meandering is less likely to hold viewers’ attention and more likely to be skipped over or ignored.
A great example of this is the “In My Feelings” Challenge. This viral challenge involved people dancing to the Drake song “In My Feelings” outside of a moving car. The challenge was short, simple, and easy to replicate, making it perfect for social media.
5. Visual Appeal
Social media is a highly visual medium, and videos that are visually stunning or captivating are more likely to catch viewers’ attention and be shared widely.
A great example of this is the Red Bull Stratos jump. This viral video showed Felix Baumgartner jumping from a helium balloon at the edge of space, freefalling for over four minutes before landing safely on the ground. The video was visually stunning, with breathtaking shots of the earth from above and Felix in freefall.
6. Branding
A viral video can be a powerful branding tool, helping to build awareness and recognition for a brand or creator. By incorporating branding elements such as logos or slogans into the video, creators can help ensure that their content is easily recognizable and associated with their brand.
A great example of this is the “Share a Coke” campaign. This viral campaign involved Coca-Cola printing people’s names on their soda cans, encouraging people to share a Coke with their friends and family. The campaign was highly successful, generating over 998 million impressions on Twitter alone.
7. Call to Action
A call to action can be a powerful motivator for viewers to share and engage with a video. Whether it’s asking viewers to share the video with their friends or to follow the creator on social media, a clear call to action can help to drive engagement and increase the video’s virality.
8. Surprise or Shock Value
A video that surprises or shocks its audience is more likely to be shared and talked about. Whether it’s a surprising twist ending or a shocking revelation, a video that breaks expectations and pushes boundaries is more likely to go viral.
9. Storytelling
A video that tells a compelling story is more likely to capture viewers’ attention and keep them engaged. By weaving a narrative that captures the audience’s imagination, creators can create a video that is both memorable and shareable.
10. Optimize for mobile
More than half of all video views on social media are on mobile devices, so it’s important to optimize your video for mobile. Use subtitles, captions, and bold text to make your message clear and easy to read on a small screen.
In conclusion, by understanding the key factors that contribute to a video’s success, creators can craft content that is optimized for social media and designed to go viral. creating a viral video takes a combination of strategy, creativity, and a little bit of luck. By following these tips and focusing on creating engaging and visually stunning content, you increase your chances of creating a video that resonates with your audience and has the potential to go viral.
By tapping into the emotional connection, shareability, timing, length, visual appeal, branding, call to action, surprise or shock value, storytelling, and Optimize for mobile, creators can create content that resonates with viewers and drives engagement.