Maybe you’ve tried video marketing and have had little luck, or perhaps you’re still thinking about getting into this rapidly growing area of marketing. Either way, knowing what makes a video go viral and end up spread out across the entire internet can help you create better content that will be shared and commented on everywhere.

Why Videos Go Viral?

1. They offer value. A really useful video will often end up being featured on various blogs and if you have really packed it with gems, some big names and gurus in the industry might even pick it up. The trick here is to make sure you give people something they can use immediately, as soon as they finish watching the video. Once they see what you’re giving away for free, you can make a pitch that is far more likely to be successful, or merely offer your URL at the end of the video for more information.

2. They’re funny. Not all viral videos are funny, but let’s face it, pretty much everyone has seen the laughing baby now. When something makes you laugh, you tend to pass it on, particularly if it has you in stitches the whole time and is family friendly. While risqué humor might work for a specific audience, it’s going to have limited “pass it on” exposure.

3. They’re short. Very rarely are you going to find a viral video that is longer than 30-60 seconds. People simply don’t pay attention to longer clips, so if you’re looking to create a video that will be passed on rapidly, keep it to a minimum.

4. They have a gimmick. It’s amazing how many popular videos on YouTube use this technique, but it still works. People like something different, so if you do this, you’ll get plenty of attention. For example, one guy on YouTube shows off his amazing pottery skills, only to destroy his works of art at the end of each video.

5. They have hot titles. You want your video title to be optimized for your keywords, but keep it exciting to the viewer. After all, you’re going to be in competition with millions of other videos, so yours needs to stand out. A shocking title will tend to grab more attention, so keep this in mind and steer away from the duller, more descriptive headlines.
Video marketing is a good way to go in your business, but if no one ever actually watches the videos, then it is a complete waste of time. Make sure your videos have what it takes to go viral, then turn them loose and watch your brand become more popular and get more hits on your website.