Viral marketing - where do you start?

[conservatoryTV]

Hi

Can anyone give me advice on where you start getting videos to go viral on YouTube and elsewhere.

We've created some great videos entitled Break In Challenge but they're just not taking off!

Matthew

[guinanie]

The viral video refers to video clip content which gains widespread popularity through the process of Internet sharing, typically through email or IM messages, blogs and other media sharing websites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_video
http://www.labnol.org/internet/video...-popular/1062/

[AmySueN]

Originally Posted by guinanie

The viral video refers to video clip content which gains widespread popularity through the process of Internet sharing, typically through email or IM messages, blogs and other media sharing websites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_video
http://www.labnol.org/internet/video...-popular/1062/

Thanks for the explanation... did you know I was going to come along and ask what it was?

[bobchrist]

Most of the viral videos are missing the "viral" element that is the reason it won't get pick up, best to analyze what subject the mainstream audience will like most and work out on that.

[Ronne]

If you're using youtube, you need to have relevent keywork links with the video (so someone who types in a word will see your vid pop up). If you know this, sorry, buy many people don't.

[Chatmaster]

Matthew, first determine your objective. Is it just for brand building purposes, then launch a very good viral campaign on Youtube or similar. Just ensure that your brand is clearly visible on the video, without being irritating. This is more SMM than viral though...

If your objective is to get traffic to your site? Then you first need to ensure that the add is targeted in order to attract visitors interested in your product or service. This can be done by doing keywords research and using thesaurus to get similar words or even opposites.

Next step will be to set a viral element and planning the back end. How data will be captured and how friends will refer the video to each other. Tracking will also be required to ensure that you know how effective the campaign is and possibly track how you can improve the campaign in future.

Ensure that your terms and conditions are in order and that people are fully aware what happens to their data and their friend's data.

Next step will be to decide on a format that cannot be stolen e.g. mp3 or wav can easily be stolen, so you might want to avoid it. Perhaps give bloggers a way to embed it as blogs can be a VERY effective way of getting the viral campaign out. But you would like the video to be under your control and thus ensure that you can easily utilize data captured in future viral and email marketing campaigns.

Writing a script is also very important. Perhaps brainstorming it with the team before hand or perhaps include an art director in the session if it is very corporate, but it must contain some form of buzz else it will not be effective. Perhaps looking at current events can also help.

How will you launch the campaign is a vital step. If you have an existing client base an email campaign can secure the success or maybe launch it on a blog or two if you have the means but ensure that you get the feet , and it is targeted feet!

[swapw]

Originally Posted by conservatoryTV

Hi

Can anyone give me advice on where you start getting videos to go viral on YouTube and elsewhere.

We've created some great videos entitled Break In Challenge but they're just not taking off!

Matthew

Matt,

Be sure that Youtube is not the only source where you are displaying your awesome videos. Remember the big boys too!

Veoh, Dailymotion, Metacafe, Mysapcevideo just to name a few!!

You can also distribute them with your friends and accounts both in Myspace and Facebook. Dwell yourself in it for a couple weeks, if the video is good you should see some results!


-Swapw

[Steven_D]

There really isnt anything viral about your movies, BUT, they are really well made and they are a laugh to watch.

What was the production budget?

[guinanie]

Thanks amySueN
Youtube is the viral video on which you can promote your site. Make your video description clear and specific as the user understand what do you want to give. But the best way to promote your video is the text description on YouTube and must be accurate and interesting. Use descriptive keywords and language that people will find when they search for videos like yours. And use the correct categorizations on YouTube so people will find it.

Originally Posted by AmySueN

Thanks for the explanation... did you know I was going to come along and ask what it was?