YouTube is a valuable resource for both businesses and individuals. Anyone can upload a video and share it with the world. However, millions of videos are posted every week. In order for yours to stand out from the crowd and become the next sensation, you have to know a few tricks. Here are 11 tips on how to make a viral YouTube video:
1. Make sure the quality is good.
No one wants to watch a video that’s been shot with a shaky camera or features poor audio quality. You may want to invest in some new audio and video equipment before you begin shooting. Your gear doesn’t have to be too fancy, but it should allow you to make a clip that’s pleasing to the eyes and ears of potential viewers.
2. Keep it short.
Between work and home life, most people tend to be pretty busy on a daily basis. Many of us don’t have time to sit down and watch a YouTube video that’s an hour long. You’ll have the best chance of making your clip go viral if it clocks in somewhere under the two-minute mark. Almost everyone has time to view something if it only takes a couple of minutes.
3. Dare to be different.
As a general rule, your video is probably not going to go viral if you choose a topic that’s been done too many times. Instead, pick a theme that’s new and interesting. You want something that everyone will be excited to see. The only way to become the next big thing is to become the next new thing.
4. Get to the point.
If you don’t grab a person’s attention within the first few seconds of your video, he or she will probably just move along. There are plenty of other clips with great openings on YouTube. They can just as easily click off of your video and click on one that seems more sharable. Start off your video with something surprising to draw in the viewer. In other words, get to the point immediately to maximize the amount of views your clip will receive.
5. Upload the video early in the week.
Before you upload your video, take a moment to think about your own viewing habits on YouTube. If you’re like most people, you probably view clips during work breaks. That means weekends usually aren’t the best time to release a new video. To narrow it down even further, Mondays and Tuesdays are specifically the best weekdays to post your content. Ideally, people will see the clip early in the week and share it with their family and friends. Then, those people will share it with their loved ones and so on. By the end of the week, you can really rack up a lot of views!
6. Give it a great title.
A fantastic video deserves a title that’s just as impressive. Choose a name that’s descriptive and memorable. People should be able to discuss it easily as they stand by the water cooler at work. Just like the length of the clip itself, a shorter name is better. When your video has an appealing, explanatory title, it has an even better chance of going viral.
7. Share it with everyone you know.
Once your video is up and ready to go, share it with people you know and ask everyone to do the same thing. A small favor from each of your friends can lead to big benefits for you. Your video will likely keep garnering attention as it gets passed along by followers on social media accounts. Get the word out and watch the number of views climb.
8. Develop a marketing plan.
Some people seem to create viral videos without any effort at all. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. You have to be willing to put forth a little effort to make your video the must-see clip of the week. Develop a marketing plan that will help you share the news. Find some blogs and websites where you think your video would be a good fit. Then, contact those sites to see if they might be willing to include a link to your clip. This is a good way of attracting more potential viewers. Sometimes going viral is all about finding the right audience.
9. Keep it tasteful.
While some people find racy or explicit content funny, you should think twice before including anything too risqué in your video. You want your clip to appeal to as many people as possible. That doesn’t mean you can’t target an adult audience. It just means you’ll hopefully avoid offending potential viewers as your video circulates online.
10. Fuel the fire.
Once a YouTube video goes viral, you better be ready. Your inbox will likely be filled with emails from people who want the inside scoop. You may get requests for media appearances or interviews. Take advantage of any exposure you can get. Even if it’s just an article in the local newspaper, it could lead to more interest for your clip. Before you know it, your video could have more views than you ever thought possible.
11. Be patient.
When it comes to YouTube videos, you never really know when something is going to take off. If your clip doesn’t go viral right away, there’s no reason to be discouraged. A lot of videos finally get the attention they deserve months or years after they were originally uploaded. While you’d like for your video to go viral immediately, don’t worry if things don’t go exactly as planned. As long as you choose evergreen content, your big moment could come at any time. Be willing to take success whenever you can get it.
There’s no better way to spread the word or show off your skills than through a YouTube video. However, you have to get your clip to go viral if you really want to make an impact. There isn’t a surefire way to guarantee views, but there are some tricks you can use to improve your chances of gaining a massive audience. By using these tips, you can make a viral YouTube video that everyone will be talking about!
