Contrary to popular belief, going viral is a skill that can be learned. That's what YouTube sensation MrBeast claims in this famous interview with Lex Fridman.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: That doesn't apply to small YouTube channels, especially those lacking millions of subscribers.
But what if we told you it absolutely can work? What if we told you that viral YouTube videos aren't all that mysterious?
Read more: 3 Ways to Discover Viral YouTube Video Ideas
Viral videos gain popularity through internet sharing, typically on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. In fact, Harvard Business Review reported that videos reach their viral peak faster when shared within the first 48 hours. Videos are considered 'viral' when they reach 2 million views (or more) in just a few days.
Let's return to the HBR article to answer this question. In the post, HBR shares interesting data from Unruly, a marketing technology company that has studied 430 billion video views. The findings suggested that super sharers — a small group of people who share videos in the first 48 hours — kick start the viral process.
But why do they do this? Unruly noticed 10 motivators for sharing videos online.
Source: Harvard Business Review
Viral videos evoke strong emotions which compel viewers to share them within their own networks. These videos have the potential to reach a massive audience within hours or even minutes of being posted!
But viral content doesn't need to have a specific 'look' to attract views. Oftentimes, this is what a viral video looks like on YouTube:
The important thing to notice here is the sheer difference between views and subscribers related to this video. This disparity means that the audience chose to watch the video for its content and not just the person behind it.
Creating a viral video takes more than luck, as YouTube educator Sean Cannell has explained. It's more like cooking. Some ingredients are nice to have, but you can only mimic a dish when you have the main ingredients.
The first step to creating a viral video is to ensure that it is compelling and shareable. People are more likely to share content that evokes strong emotions, etc such as laughter, awe, or surprise. So, try to be entertaining, informative, or thought-provoking while keeping the video short and concise to maintain viewers' attention.
What this typically comes down to is telling a good story. Make viewers feel giggly, happy, or sad, but no matter what, make them feel something. You can even surprise them with plot twists and cliffhangers.
Social media platforms play a crucial role in making videos go viral. With billions of users worldwide, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer a vast audience for your videos to be seen and shared.
To leverage social media platforms effectively, consider the following tips:
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a key aspect of virality. Optimizing your videos for search engines can increase their visibility and improve their chances of going viral. If you've been putting a lot of effort into your videos, but they aren't seeing the big numbers, you could be lacking in SEO.
To optimize your video SEO, consider the following tips:
The final strategy for making your videos go viral is analyzing their performance and iterating on future content. By analyzing data such as views, engagement rates, and shares, you learn what works and what doesn't.
To analyze and iterate effectively, consider the following tips:
The moment you share your video can make a big difference. Studies show that posting between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET on weekdays gets good traction. This slot grabs East Coast viewers and even catches West Coast audiences during their lunch break.
Using current trends can boost your reach. This means linking your work to subjects that your viewers care about right now. Being one of the first to cover a new trend can drive more interest in your content and build a strong viral YouTube video strategy. Consider checking tools that flag rising topics. This keeps you in tune with what’s hot and gives you a jump start starting with your viral video blueprint.
In the video above, Rob talks about five such trends that creators need to look out for in 2025 to go viral. Watch and learn!
Quite recently, one of our videos went viral on YouTube and is currently sitting at 1 million views. In it, we cover the rise of superstar bodybuilder Sam Sulek and how he's grown his channel exponentially in 2023.
Our in-house expert, John, explained how he made it happen in a separate video (above), and here's what you need to know:
Identifying Potential: Our viral adventure began with Sam Sulek, a rising YouTube sensation. We saw a potential story in his rising subscriber count and the authenticity trend that's been sweeping YouTube since the pandemic. Combining a trending topic with our audience's desire (YouTube growth) helped us produce an interesting video.
The Art of Packaging: As we know already, a video's success often hinges on its title and thumbnail. They're like the cover of a book, enticing viewers to dive in. We used the ICE method (Imagery, Curiosity, Expectation) to craft ours. Remember, your title and thumbnail should not only grab attention but also set the right expectations.
Meeting Viewer Expectations: Have you ever clicked on a video and realized it's not what the title and thumbnail suggest? Annoying, right? We made sure our content aligned with what our thumbnail and title promised. It's all about respecting your audience and delivering what you've promised.
Adapting and Improving: Our first cut for the video wasn't perfect. We had to re-edit to better match our title and thumbnail, but we didn't stop. Here's a golden nugget for you: Don't be afraid to revise. Your first draft doesn't have to be your final. Be open to feedback and willing to make changes.
Don't Give Up: Initially, our video didn't do great. But then, the YouTube algorithm picked it up, and the views skyrocketed. So, focus on creating content that engages. Even if your video doesn't take off immediately, don't lose hope.
Check the video above to get a deeper understanding of how we made it all happen. And while you're at it, swing by the description box to get a free template for making viral YouTube videos!
YouTube Shorts has proven to be a quick route for many to achieve viral success. With billions of daily views, Shorts offer a chance to be seen even if you are just starting out. It’s a format that fits well with the fast pace of today.
Short videos are easy for viewers to watch and share. They help form a clear viral video blueprint with less effort compared to longer posts.
Some ways to make the most of Shorts include:
Shorts can serve as a gateway, guiding viewers to your longer videos. Quality content that connects is crucial for YouTube viral content in every format.
It’s important to understand that identifying your unique voice as a creator leads to virality. Authenticity is the soul of what makes a video viral; it's what makes people relate to your content and share it with others. So, be yourself and let your unique personality shine through.
Creating a viral video might seem like finding a needle in a haystack, but it's not an impossible task. So, fellow creators, take heart. Your viral moment could be just around the corner, waiting for you to seize it!
A video goes viral when it gets a huge number of views quickly, thanks mostly to shares. Key points include stirring emotions, solid production, a strong hook, content that people want to share, and smart posting times.
Definitely! Small channels can shine by making content that has a great impact, regardless of channel size. This is how most big breaks happen on YouTube.
The thumbnail is very important. It makes the first impression and can boost your click rate. Using methods like ICE (Imagery, Curiosity, Expectation) helps make thumbnails that stand out.
Both options can bring viral results. Shorts are quick and have billions of daily views while longs bring higher watch-time. You should try both, or even turn longer videos into Shorts to broaden your reach.
Good video and audio quality are important. Even if you don't have expensive gear, clear sound and visuals keep viewers watching and help your video perform better.
In addition to being an avid movie and gaming enthusiast, Uttaran Samaddar is an experienced writer who has lent his creativity and unique perspective to various publications. He loves hearing and telling stories.
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