What Makes a Video Viral?

Mar 20

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So what do you think? Is this a viral video, or not, and tell me why you think so. At the very least, I guarantee this one will brighten your day!

If you’ve wondered about viral videos and maybe even thought about how you might make one of your own, check out the interesting discussions over at Social Marketing Central.

PS - If you want to know how I managed to embed the super-high quality YouTube video in my post, check out the Wired wiki for the secret

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Comments to “What Makes a Video Viral?”

Jim Says:
March 20th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

I actually am not able to view the video for some reason. Viral videos are a good topic for discussion though, I think that the line between viral and not-viral is a thin one. It would be really great to see some kind of article that lays it out in an easy to determine manner
Jim’s last blog post..Marketing With Twitter - A Powerful Tool to Network and Increase Your Traffic

ronripple.com Says:
March 21st, 2008 at 7:02 pm

That was great! definitely put a smile on my face and I would say yes it’s viral. You putting it on your site alone shows that it’s viral.

Zack Says:
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 am

Hey Jim, that’s odd you can’t see it. Can you click on it and see it on the youtube site itself? If not, check your version of Flash and make sure it’s updated. Even if it is you will probably want to reinstall.

Regarding Flash and Youtube, this link may also be helpful:
http://tinyurl.com/2tyfck

Let me know what you find, and thanks for commenting, I like your suggestion about an in-depth article on viral video. wheels are turning . . .

@ ron, thanks for commenting. I definitely chose this one because I thought it was viral. It’s a great example and has a lot of the elements I think make a video successful online. re: Jim’s comment above, I’m going to see about going a little deeper into that. If ya’ll can’t wait, check out the links I added–those guys are really working at reverse-engineering viral videos.

timethief Says:
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm

I have no expertise when it comes to marketing so judging whether or not a video has the potential to go viral or not is not something I can answer.

These things I can say. The video was hilarious. I loved it. It was engaging from the outset, funny all the way through and, it held my attention to the very end.

I have done some improv work myself and this team were very much in tune and in synch with one another. They pulled the scene off, without revealing to their audience that they were a comedy team. IMO that may be an element required “to go viral”.

Cheers

timethief’s last blog post..How to remove data from Google’s cache

Eric Says:
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Hilarious, funny, makes people laugh, you have a viral video. The funnier it is the faster it will go viral.

The other kind of viral video is one that clearly and concisely provides information that people want.

I think that the most important element for either kind of video is that it be engaging.

Eric’s last blog post..Horton Hears an HGH Part II

Zack Says:
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:19 pm

Hi timethief, thanks for the valuable comment! The elements you mention are definitely key, I believe. And the idea that the actors “pulled the scene off . . . without anyone realizing they were a team” touches on a key idea too. Namely, that there has to be some element of surprise and a sense that the viewer is “in on something” that the folks in the video itself were not.

Very cool!

Zack Says:
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm

Eric, I think so too. It has to be SO engaging that you completely forget your world for the few moments you are watching and are so thrilled with either the entertainment value or info value that you are compelled to send it along to friends, or blog about it, or somehow spread the word.

I also think that there’s a form of fame that comes along with spreading it . . . in other words, some of the cool-factor of the video rubs off on the messenger who benefits for having clued friends and readers in to the idea/video/message.

All these things are definitely part of what makes a video viral.

Can anyone think of any more?

Kerry D. Friesen, M.D. Says:
March 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

Definitely viral! It easily felt contrived until “security” arrived and injected the element of danger…OMG! What will happen next? They sang their little amateur hearts out and everyone had fun…definitely viral!

Kerry D. Friesen, M.D.’s last blog post..Three Cogniceuticals You Can’t Do Without!

Walk Through Money Online Journal Says:
March 26th, 2008 at 11:11 am

Sorry but I am having problem viewing the video for some reason. You might want to check it out…. Im curious what is video viral because I have been hearing about that… I’ll be back some other time

Walk Through Money Online Journal’s last blog post..Stress Free Car Loan

Todd Morris Says:
March 27th, 2008 at 1:18 am

I think there are basically three types of videos that have a chance of going viral … those that are useful, and those that are funny, and those that are controversial.

This one was definitely funny. I’d pass it on.

I guess that makes it viral.

Todd

Todd Morris’s last blog post..Striking the Right Balance Between Family and Business

Zack Says:
March 27th, 2008 at 9:21 am

@ Kerry, great point! That dangerous element amidst all the silly fun definitely got my attention too; it was the moment the video actually clicked into viral mode for me. nice.

@ Todd, I think that’s a good summary of types and a good point. And some viral videos contain all three of those elements. I’m looking for a few like that right now so if you know if any, feel free to post ‘em

Mr. Javo Says:
March 27th, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Haha so fun, may be that make it viral.

Mr. Javo’s last blog post..Making Money With Social Networks

lydia Says:
March 30th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

Would love to know how to get the videos on my blog. Went to your wired wiki link but it gave me a not found message.
I have been trying to put up two videos this entire week and not getting any sound.

Zack Says:
March 31st, 2008 at 5:56 am

Javo, I agree, the fun factor has got to be a part of making it viral.

—

Lydia, try that link again. I upgraded my WordPress to 2.5 yesterday and it seems to have wonkified (technical term) a couple of my links. Also, if you haven’t upgraded to 2.5, you may find that fixes your problems. They have added a number of great media management tools to the new admin interface and it makes it much easier to embed videos in your posts.
thanks for stopping by!

Ash Says:
March 31st, 2008 at 4:36 pm

Enjoyed watching it! Original idea I must say.

Ash

Ash’s last blog post..Four corners of a frame

JTPratt's Blogging Mistakes Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:35 pm

very nice…what makes a viral is it’s compelling enough to make you want to tell others about it!

JTPratt’s Blogging Mistakes’s last blog post..Create an Affiliate Store in 5 Minutes from Data Feed

Marty Says:
April 6th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

I don’t know what was funnier; the show itself or the reactions of the people eating in the food court.

Marty’s last blog post..My Top Entrecard Droppers

jamie Says:
April 20th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

that was awesome! it’s funny how people try to not look or involve themselves in things around them. They couldnt possibly ignore this one!

jamie’s last blog post..livin in the 80’s

peter Says:
November 29th, 2008 at 2:53 am

Interesting, I was just thinking of that very subject when i came across your post. Great blog btw.

Honest Marketing Secrets

What Makes a Video Viral?

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