In the age of social media, viral video marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for companies to reach extensive audiences and create a lasting impact.
Viral video marketing is a strategy that involves creating video content with the potential to be widely shared, typically on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The aim is to spread a company’s message or promote its products/services in an entertaining and engaging way that encourages viewers to share the content, thus increasing its reach exponentially.
The importance of viral video marketing cannot be overstated in today’s digital landscape. With millions of users consuming video content daily, it offers an unparalleled opportunity for brands to relate with their audience on a deeper level, drive engagement, and boost brand awareness. It’s not just about views; it’s about creating something that resonates with people and gets them talking.
In this blog, we will delve into the top four techniques to help your videos go viral: leveraging user-generated content, incorporating storytelling, utilizing influencer collaborations, and experimenting with interactive videos.
Each of these techniques holds immense potential to amplify your brand’s reach and make your content spread like wildfire.
Technique 1: Leverage User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) refers to any content – text, videos, images, reviews, etc., that has been created and shared by unpaid contributors or, using a more familiar term, fans. It can be shared on diverse platforms, such as social media, blogs, and websites.
UGC is an excellent way for consumers to engage with brands and for brands to foster a strong community around their products or services.
UGC plays a crucial role in viral video marketing. It’s authentic, relatable, and highly trusted by consumers.
When users produce and share content about your brand, they’re essentially endorsing your product/service to their network. This increases your reach and builds credibility, as people often trust recommendations from their peers more than advertising from brands. Moreover, UGC encourages more user interaction, fostering a sense of community and loyalty around your brand.
There are numerous real-life examples of successful UGC campaigns.
One of the most notable ones is Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign. Apple encouraged its users to take photos and videos using their iPhones and share them on social media with the hashtag #ShotoniPhone. The campaign was a tremendous success, with millions of users participating, showcasing the impressive capabilities of the iPhone camera and, subsequently, driving sales.
Another great example is the “Share a Coke” campaign by Coca-Cola, where they printed famous names on their bottles and urged people to share a Coke with someone and post it online. This campaign resulted in massive UGC, increased brand engagement, and boosted sales significantly.
Harnessing the power of UGC in your video marketing strategy can result in more engagement, increased trust in your brand, and, potentially, viral success.
Technique 2: Incorporate Storytelling
Storytelling has been integral to human culture for millennia, and its power extends into the marketing world.
According to Forbes, effective storytelling boosts engagement between a brand and its audience, which helps drive conversions and, ultimately, revenue growth.
Marketing with stories makes your brand more relatable, creates an inspirational connection, and gets your audience to act
Importance of Storytelling in Marketing
The importance of storytelling in marketing can’t be overstated. Stories make customers care by giving them a hero they can relate to, thereby forming relationships between customers and the brand.
Moreover, storytelling allows marketers to unify their communications with their brand itself, creating consistent, impactful stories that are memorable.
Ways to Incorporate Storytelling into Video Marketing
There are several ways to incorporate storytelling into video marketing:
1. Customer Stories: Sharing testimonials or success stories from satisfied customers can build trust and foster an emotional connection with potential customers.
2. Behind-the-Scenes: Showcasing the inner workings of your company or the making of a product can make your brand more relatable and trustworthy.
3. Brand Story: Telling the story of how your brand came to be, its mission, values, and vision can create a deeper connection with your audience and differentiate you from competitors.
4. Educational Content: Creating educational videos that explain complex concepts in simple terms can position your brand as a thought leader in your industry.
5. Case Studies Showcasing Successful Storytelling in Viral Videos
Several brands have successfully used storytelling in their viral video marketing campaigns.
For instance, Google’s “Year in Search” videos use storytelling to highlight the past year’s most significant events and trends, fostering an emotional connection with viewers.
Another example is Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” campaign.
The video features an FBI-trained sketch artist who draws women first based on their self-description and then based on a stranger’s description. The stark difference between the two sketches highlights the issue of low self-esteem among women, aligning with Dove’s mission to celebrate real beauty and promote self-confidence.
Remember, the key to successful storytelling in video marketing is authenticity. Tell genuine stories that resonate with your audience, and you’re more likely to see your videos go viral.
Technique 3: Utilize Influencer Collaborations
Influencer marketing involves partnering with key opinion leaders or individuals who have a significant social media following and influence in their respective niches. These influencers promote a brand’s products or services to their audience, leveraging their trust and credibility to drive brand awareness and conversions.
Explanation of Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has become increasingly popular with the peak of social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. It’s a form of social media marketing that uses endorsements and product mentions from influencers. Brands choose to work with influencers because they can reach specific target audiences and generate high engagement rates.
Role of Influencers in Creating Viral Videos
Influencers play a critical role in creating viral videos. They already have a loyal and engaged audience that values their opinions and recommendations. An endorsement from an influencer can significantly increase a video’s reach, engagement, and chances of going viral.
Furthermore, influencers often have a unique style and creative approach to content creation, which can make your videos more entertaining and shareable.
Examples of Effective Influencer Collaborations
There are many examples of successful influencer collaborations.
One notable instance is the partnership between Daniel Wellington, a Swedish watch brand, and numerous Instagram influencers. The company sent free watches to influencers, who then posted pictures of themselves sporting the watches with a discount code for their followers. This strategy helped Daniel Wellington become a globally recognized brand.
Another example is the collaboration between Gymshark, a fitness apparel brand, and fitness influencers. By having influencers post workout videos while wearing Gymshark apparel, the brand was able to reach its target audience effectively and grow exponentially.
Leveraging influencer collaborations in your video marketing strategy can boost your brand’s visibility, increase engagement, and enhance the chances of your videos going viral.
Technique 4: Experiment with Interactive Videos
Interactive videos are a type of media that allows the viewer to interact directly with the content. This can be done through clicking, swiping, answering questions, and more. These videos are not just watched; they’re experienced, making them an incredibly engaging tool for marketers.
Understanding Interactive Videos and Their Appeal
Interactive videos appeal to viewers because they offer a personalized and immersive experience. This format enhances comprehension, especially for complex topics, as it breaks down information into bite-sized, visually appealing segments. Moreover, interactive videos capture attention and increase engagement, as they require active participation from the viewer. They also cater to a wider audience, including millennials and other learner profiles.
How Interactive Videos Can Go Viral
Interactive videos have a high potential to go viral due to their engaging and unique nature. They can turn passive viewers into leads, paying customers, and even brand loyalists[^8^]. By allowing viewers to make choices and interact with the video, brands create a memorable experience that viewers are likely to share with others. Moreover, interactive videos can stimulate conversations and feedback about a brand’s products or services, further increasing their reach and impact.
Examples of Viral Interactive Videos
One notable example of a viral interactive video is Tippex’s “Choose Your Own Adventure” style video, a correction fluid brand. In the video, a hunter refuses to shoot a bear and asks viewers to help him rewrite the story using Tippex. The campaign was a huge success, with the video receiving millions of views and significantly boosting Tippex’s sales.
Another successful interactive video is Always’s “Like A Girl” campaign. The video challenges societal perceptions of doing things “like a girl” and invites viewers to share their stories, creating a viral conversation around gender stereotypes.
Incorporating interactive videos into your marketing strategy can substantially boost engagement, improve comprehension of complex concepts, and increase the likelihood of your videos going viral.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored four effective techniques to make your videos go viral:
Telling a Story: By using storytelling in your videos, you can connect with your audience on an emotional level, making your content more memorable and shareable.
Creating Shareable Content: Videos that evoke strong emotions, provide value, or entertain are more likely to be shared, increasing their chances of going viral.
Utilizing Influencer Collaborations: Partnering with influencers can significantly boost your video’s reach and engagement, leveraging their credibility and audience to drive brand awareness and conversions.
Experimenting with Interactive Videos: Interactive videos offer a unique, engaging experience that increases viewer participation, comprehension, and the likelihood of your videos being shared and going viral.
You’re invited to experiment with these techniques in your own marketing strategy. Each method has its own strengths, and using them in combination can create a powerful impact. Remember, creating viral videos is not just about reaching a wide audience but also about fostering a deeper connection with your viewers.
We would love to hear about your experiences with these techniques. Have you tried any of them in your video marketing efforts? What was the result? Or perhaps you have other effective strategies to share? Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to us directly. Your insights could inspire others in their journey to create viral video content.
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