Content Writer, Editor's Bro
What is a viral video:
A viral video is a video that spreads out on the internet rapidly on Social media platforms or video-sharing sites like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Viral videos often amass a large number of views in a short period. While some videos go viral organically, capturing the public's attention through sheer appeal or relatability, others achieve viral status through targeted marketing strategies designed to amplify their reach.
How many views are considered as viral video:
The exact threshold for what makes a video "viral" can be subjective, as it varies based on the platform and audience size. However, a video is generally considered viral if it amasses over a million views within a short period, often just a few days according to Animoto. The rapid accumulation of views and widespread sharing across social media are key indicators of a video achieving viral status. For Tictok, the Digital Marketing Institute characterized 250,000 views as mildly viral, one million as medium viral and 5 million views within 3-7 days as officially TikTok-viral.
The easiest way to Go Viral?
According to Tubular Labs, 4.9 million accounts have uploaded 53.6 million videos to YouTube in the last 30 days. However, only 58,100 of these videos got a minimum of 1 million views and 36,000 engagements. That means the video's viral ratio is about 1:1,000. 3 short ways to go viral are below:
Short videos: YouTube says, “YouTube Shorts are the fun, easy way to create content for YouTube’s billions of users. All you need is a mobile phone, your ideas, and a little help from our tools.”
Buy ads: You can spend a few dollars daily to make your video viral. Just run an ads campaign with your specific video in the context of the targeted audience.
Collab with famous people: You can conduct an interview season or podcast or travel trip with popular online personalities.
How Does A Video Go Viral:
There isn’t a guaranteed formula for making a viral video, but several strategies can increase your chances:
Create Engaging and Shareable Content
Focus on producing unique, compelling content that engages with viewers. Content that creates strong emotions among the audience, whether it's humor, sadness, anger or excitement is more likely to be shared with others, increasing it's a surprising fact, a striking visual or an intriguing question, making sure viewers are hooked within 5 seconds.
Optimize for SEO
Use targeted keywords to improve your video's searchability, research and incorporate relevant SEO Keywords in your video title, description and tags. Proper search engine optimization (SEO) makes it easier for people to find your video in search results, boosting its visibility. For example, if you're a travel vlogger, use keywords like "travel tips", "exotic destinations" or "budget travel".
Design an Eye-Catching Thumbnail
The video thumbnail is often the first people notice and includes SEO keywords to increase click-through rates. A visually appealing thumbnail can entice viewers to click on your video. An attractive and relevant thumbnail increases the likelihood of clicks, which in turn drives up views and engagement.
Promote on Social Media
Share your video across social media platforms to reach a wider audience. The more people who see and share your content, the higher the chance it has of going viral. Don't forget to use relevant hashtags and SEO keywords in your posts.
Collaborate with Influencers
Partnering with influencers in your niche can help you tap into their audience, expanding your reach. influencers can introduce your content to their followers, increasing the likelihood of your video going viral. Influencers have established trust with their followers, so their endorsement can significantly expand your reach.
Capitalize on Timing and Trends
Stay informed about current trends and viral video content. If you spot an emerging trend, create timely content that aligns with it, giving your video a better chance of catching the wave of popularity.
Tips To Make A Video Go Viral
In today’s digital age, creating a viral video can be a game-changer, especially for travelers looking to share their adventures by video content with the world. Whether you’re documenting breathtaking landscapes or capturing the vibrant energy of a local market, a viral video can catapult your content to a global audience. Here are some tips and tricks to help your video go viral and make a lasting impact on your viewers.
1. Start with a Strong Storyline
- Craft a compelling narrative: Every great video starts with a story. As a traveler, you have a unique perspective. Think about what makes your travel journey special and how you can convey that to your audience. Is it the cultural immersion, the challenges of the road, or the awe-inspiring beauty of your destination? A strong storyline will keep viewers engaged from start to finish.
- Keep it relatable: While exotic locations are exciting, make sure your story resonates with your audience. Share emotions and experiences that are universal, curiosity, adventure, fear, and joy. Relatable content has a higher chance of being shared.
2. Capture High-Quality Footage
- Use the right equipment: High-quality visuals are essential for a video to go viral. You don’t need the most expensive gear, but having a decent camera or smartphone with good resolution can make a huge difference. Stabilizers, drones, and action cameras can also add a professional touch to your footage. Professional-looking videos are more likely to be shared, boosting their chances of going viral.
- Focus on lighting and sound: Natural light works best, especially during the golden hours (early morning or late afternoon). Good audio is equally important to consider using a microphone to capture clear sound, especially when filming in noisy environments.
3. Keep It Short and Sweet
- Brevity is key: In the age of short attention spans, concise videos are more likely to be watched till the end. Aim for 1-3 minutes for maximum engagement. If you have more content, consider creating a series of shorter videos rather than one long one.
- Get to the point: The beginning of your video should grab the attention of the viewer immediately. Hook your viewers within the first few seconds. Whether it’s a stunning visual or an intriguing statement, give them a reason to keep watching.
4. Optimize for Social Media
- Format for different platforms: Each social media platform has its own ideal video format. Square and vertical videos perform well on Instagram and TikTok, while YouTube is better suited for horizontal videos. Tailor your content to fit these formats for better visibility.
- Use catchy thumbnails and titles: A visually appealing thumbnail and a compelling title can make or break your video’s success. Make sure they accurately represent your content and spark curiosity.
5. Stay on top of trends
- Stay current: Stay updated on the latest trends in your niche and incorporate them into your video. Whether it’s a trending topic, a popular hashtag, a viral challenge, or a trending song, incorporating these elements can boost your video’s chances of going viral.
- Be creative: While it’s important to follow trends, adding your unique twist is what will set your video apart. Think outside the box and offer something fresh to your audience.
6. Join the conversation
- Encourage interaction: Ask questions, prompt viewers to comment, and engage with their responses. The more interaction your video gets, the higher its chances of being shared.
- Collaborate with others: Partner with fellow travelers, influencers, or local creators to expand your reach. Cross-promotion can introduce your content to new audiences and increase its viral potential.
7. Timing Is Everything
- Post at the right time: Analyze your audience’s behavior to determine when they are most active on social media. Posting during peak times can significantly boost your video’s visibility.
- Ride the wave: If a topic related to your video is trending, don’t hesitate to post your content while it’s still relevant. Timeliness can be a critical factor in going viral.
8. Promote, Promote, Promote
- Share across platforms: Don’t limit your video to just one platform. Share it across all your social media channels, and encourage your friends and followers to do the same.
- Use targeted ads: Consider investing in social media ads to give your video an extra push. Targeted advertising can help you reach a broader audience and increase the likelihood of your video going viral.
9. Be Authentic
- Stay true to yourself: Authenticity echoes with viewers. Share your genuine experiences, even if they’re not perfect. People appreciate real stories and are more likely to share content that feels honest and relatable.
- Show your personality: Let your unique personality shine through your videos. Whether you’re quirky, serious, or adventurous, your individuality is what will attract and retain viewers.
10. Monitor and Adapt
- Track performance: Use analytics tools to monitor your video’s performance. Keep an eye on your video’s performance metrics: views, shares, comments, and likes. Understanding what works and what doesn’t will help you improve your content over time and refine your strategy for future videos.
- Be flexible: Don’t be afraid to adapt your content based on audience feedback. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change your approach. Experiment with different styles, formats, and topics to see what resonates best with your audience.
Final Thoughts
Making a viral video is part of creative art, part of science. By combining creativity with strategic planning, you can increase your chances of success. Remember, the journey of content creation is just like travel which is full of learning, adaptation, and discovery. Keep experimenting, stay true to your voice, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Happy filming!