8 tips to make your YouTube video go viral

Have you seen Will It Blend? It's a crazy series of videos by Blendtec, a small blender manufacturer. The series has been seen by millions of people. My favorite is Will It Blend? – iPhone. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and take a minute to watch. This YouTube video has been seen 1.6 million times.

Recently I appeared on MSNBC Your Business with JJ Ramberg to discuss how to make your YouTube video go viral. Viral marketing is the phenomenon of other people passing along your ideas to friends via email or blogs or other online means…for free! You can watch my appearance here. My 14-year-old daughter said that they should have taken away the swivel chair! (You’ll see what she means if you watch).

Here are some tips to make video go viral. Creating a video is easy and it is free to post onto YouTube. All you need is a simple $300 digital video camera and a YouTube account.

Most importantly: Your video needs to be funny or amazing or remarkable or have some fascinating information or be controversial. Basically the video needs a reason for people to pass it on. If you can find pass along value connected to your organization and its products, great. I'm not a fan of stupid contests or celebrity endorsements unrelated to a company and its products.

Tip # 1 – Homemade is just fine
You don’t need to hire a professional. A homemade quality video can work great. But plan ahead and shoot several takes to get it right.

Tip #2 –Your video should be no longer then 2 minutes (preferably less)
Think very short. Although YouTube will accept a video that is less than 10 minutes, smaller than 100MB try to make the video between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

Tip #3 -- Make your description clear and specific.
To best promote your video, you'll want its text description on YouTube to 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.

Tip # 4 -- Don't attempt "stealth" fake customer insertions to YouTube.
Some companies try to sneak corporate-sponsored video onto YouTube in a way that makes it seem like it is consumer-generated. The YouTube community is remarkably skilled at ratting out inauthentic video, so this approach is fraught with danger.

Tip #5 – Try a series of similar videos to build interest
Sometimes a series of videos works great. The Blendtec Will it Blend? videos are a perfect example. The even sell t-shirts now!

Tip #6 – Tell everyone about your video!
When upload your first few videos, you are likely to hear a deafening silence. You'll be waiting for comments, but none will come. You'll check your video statistics and be disappointed by the tiny number of viewers. Don’t get discouraged. It takes time to build an audience. Make sure people know it is there and can find it. Create links to your video from your home page, product pages, or online media room. Mention your video in your e-mail or offline newsletters, and create links to your video as part of your e-mail signature and those of other people in your organization.

Tip # 7 – make sure bloggers know about the video
Sending a link to the video to bloggers or commenting on other people's blogs (and including a link to your video) is a good way to build an audience. If you comment on blogs in the same space as yours, you might be surprised at how quickly you will get viewers to your video.

Tip #8 – Experiment a lot to find something that hits
While I think it is difficult to purposely create viral marketing buzz, it is certainly possible. Create a number of campaigns and see what hits, then nurture the winners along. Think like a venture capitalist or movie studio and try a number of things in order to get that elusive hit.

Good luck. And if you do create a cool video, let me know.

Comments

[asger]

Santa and the annoying kid ( comedy ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ5Pb2DuiCc

[Colette Barry]

Great suggestions.. I just launched an online membership fitness program. Taking Yoga and Pilates to a new level. Check it out.

http://www.vimeo.com/7334192

[Paul. B]

number 8 may be the core of this whole viral video creation basics instruction. Having said that the market is springing into action some very creative opportunities like this website soon to be launched www.gollygoose.com auction selling and buying viral videos. how cool will this be.
regards Paul :)

[anum]

Find all the latest and funniest videos online here. Check it out now!

http://www.cyberfunz.com/search/label/FUNNY%20VIDEO

[Justine]

Great tips! Thanks for posting. I'm working on a series of awesome videos (well, that's the idea anyway!). I will put your tips to use & see what happens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fulUyNgwOrg

[NIcole Anne]

thanks so much, me and my friends were to make one ourselves!

[Rob]

Please take the time to watch my video series, it's been out there for 2 years now and I have little over 100 views. Its an action/horror movie. The fight scenes are pretty good. It's called Nightmare Crisis http://www.youtube.com/user/RedLinkfs#p/u/13/PW3KiIru5RA

[Neils Andersen]

Great Article. You are providing some great tips on making videos. I especially enjoyed tip 6 letting people know. I think a lot of people don't take advantage of this.

[Alex]

Great article, thanks a lot.
I'm trying to get my video viral, hope it will work!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1zdqA7_NJU

Have a nice day

[Tim]

i got a video that has potential

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCqZ_nhyHdw

[Anubys]

Hey I make comedy sketches can u please check out my videos at: htttp://www.youtube.com/CCGAnubys

[Sam Smith]

www.youtube.com/smithymx67

great videos atm they will get better if there are more subscribers so do it

[Ken Barlow]

Hi,
Thanks for this article. Very helpful. I don't fully agree with Tip 4 though. If the video is good enough and funny then why shouldn't it go viral. Rhett and Link do this perfectly.
Also this video is pretty funny. It's like a 'how to' video with a difference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKR3KifUBMI

Not sure if their site gets many hits because of this though!

[rose]

please check this out! your support means the world to me! please!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9xdCxr0NJg

btw..it`s a cover

[Johnson Yip]

Thanks I found your tips on Youtube very helpful. I will use some of them !

[Ruubo]

Hey, these tips are quite obvious but still so helpfull!

So, let's get started right away, shall we.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-AoFNDlGxU

[Good Article]

that's good advice, thanks! http://bit.ly/dhJKw4

[janvernerc]

You are right!
Originality is the key-word!
Keep shining!

jvc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw7vG11PRV0

[Omar Ghanem]

hey i created a video please watch it and tell me your opinion here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9_ZwNLAx94

[Daniel H.]

Great article and advice! I recently switched over from doing tribute videos to doing original content like sketches and vlogs, so I can speak from experience about how long it takes to build an audience. I.E., I'm still working on it. Here's a few of my videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieOkT35Aa24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-v4IPLQKsk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB24AdDmhQI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X21TfkHPYec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wcxWJ9XR0w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2LCQZ7MEkU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta8C8dZDbDI

[Gustav]

Hello,

It is the first time I read an add on your blog! It seems to be interesting and adventurous!

Thank you for your hints and tips!

I will do my best to read the blog frequently.

[Robert Bretford]

Umm...Posted a youtube video on viral marketing..nice idea

Thanks David

[Giveabrick]

Thanks for the great tips. A friend sent me over here after seeing my Christmas video (yes, in June!) It makes sense when you see it. Your advice about the title is very useful. I'll be fixing that today :)

Did you want to see my latest offering? I'm told it's fun so if you're interested, it's here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkM_lFrcDtE&feature=youtube_gdata

I'd love to hear what you think and thank you again for the tips.
Eleanor

[AdventureSocket]

Funny one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj8QdI3v7T0

[drink for free]

people love drink for free deals. heres the proof http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ez--jWh_p8 http://bit.ly/dzFfOv
29 minutes ago via Tweet

[Business Unusual]

Another tip is to make it a bit quirky, unusual or weird without trying too hard.

[Matteo Manfredi]

I like this website. It's full of useful information. I have provided a link with one of my Youtube Videos. Let me know what you think! Thanks

[Ben]

Hey cool tips! Thanx they helped! Our Youth Ministry @ our church just released our first broadcast video and were really excited. If you get a chance can you give us some feedback?:)

www.youtube.com/itsc1988

[Kerry Costello]

Hi

I made this video and posted it up on YouTube yesterday. It's about Manchester United - Ballad of the Busby Babes - and there seems to be good interest

[Robinson 201]

ZANE PRESENTS: COLOR ME GREY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHuZ6_iAHRs

[emily b]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rLzlS5aVmY

[david rose]

thanks for sharing. i will follow these steps :)

[Jeff Commissaris]

Ok, so I'm taking these words advice and turning them into action. Nicely said! Listen to some of my original music at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzUliKwNT9Y&feature=channel

Enjoy.

[Diego]

hey guys...
have u ever herad of rubiks cubes??
they're amazingly fun ;)
i've made a channel all about them :D
enjoy ;)
www.youtube.com/TheCube4you
this is my favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOXXjaOLWpk

thx 4 watching ;)

[Diego]

hey guys...
have u ever heard of of the iphone game icopter??
it's amazingly fun ;)
i've made a movie with my rec :D
enjoy ;)
http://www.youtube.com/user/theIPhoneGames4you#p/a/u/0/NL2aBac8vKk
thx for watching ;)

[Diego]

hey guys...
does any one of u skate??
i've got a skating channel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG2MNd9Nifo

check it out :D

thx ;)

[Loretta]

Oh!

Here's a quick poll for all of you!

do you think it's even POSSIBLE to make a viral vid for the topic/content on this website?

http://www.TaiChiGala.com ?

Lemme hear it!

[Denisaiko]

Does it work even for a simple girl who wants to become a singer? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiWYiTN9MQM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Y4vKgdX1Y

[Gwyn]

http://www.youtube.com/gingeranimations

[Andy]

You should use www.socialkik.com to buy Youtube video Views... we purchased 10,000 Youtube video Views for our youtube video and we're quite satisfied with the results. The video appears now on the top of the search results on Youtube and Google, which brought a LOT of traffic to our site.

[Trinity]

I've been trying to hone my skills on doing video marketing hoping I'll hit the jackpot and here's a great post I could start experimenting with. Thanks a lot for a very straightforward advice.

[gil rios]

i liked these tips so ill start my promotion here lol! this is a skit about a girl who goes out with this man, and he does some strange things and she has her suspicions about her "new boyfriend" lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ez-Xx6E1As

[stannseniors]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usCVx-YwT4w

[Aurelio Abreu]

This one is very cool
(Brazilian traffic chaos):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG2XmIN9SGc

[dentist in union city]

I have gotten mixed results from both consumer cameras and expensive ones, and I have to say while the higher quality video is great, nothing feels as comforting as a home video. Just my two cents.

[James]

Thanks! Great tips there!(:
http://CyberNetTV.co.nr
http://www.youtube.com/CyberNetTV

[Miguel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1VHQeOws10

[fredrik]

Word 2011 Watch this video on www.youtube.com it's party factor number one...

[william dupont]

Heres a video i have put on youtube 3 weeks ago and it turned out that i got almost 90 k views !
take a look !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoV7Vjo24Pk

your tips work very well !

[SEO Specialist]

This isnt something that everyone can accomplish quickly, but everyone should be excited to have this tips :)

[Goga @EndGoalMarketing]

I just watched Chaplins Time Traveler – 4 million views in 2 weeks - and started to look for some tips on how to make video go viral.

I’m glad that I found this blog – can’t wait to use your tips! Thanks a lot :)

[Lori Vining]

Please vote for me and help make a dream come true! Plus you get $20 off at Sunglass Hut for voting!

http://fulltimefabulous.com/video/view.aspx?vid=k6o4HW0mrMw

Thanks!
Lori Vining
Sunglass Hut Full Time Fabulous Blogger Contest

[antzcky]

thakyou for your tips and please EVERYONE take a look at my film as its amazing and i worked really hard to make it..
its called upside2down on youtube..
and i have four films so far...
its about me running up a wall and doing backflips! :)

[antzcky]

PLEASE SEE MY FILM!! upside2down on youtube!
its about me doing backflips!
thanks for ur advice and keep up the good work! :)

[sofa bed sheets]

Here are some tips to make video go viral. Creating a video is easy and it is free to post onto YouTube. All you need is a simple $300 digital video camera and a YouTube account.

[Christos Raptis]

Enter The World Stage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ZzJ7cCGlQ

[Mario]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8IvNzabF00

We did one and we will wait and see the results. Thank you guys, great advise!

[Branding Tips]

I always believed that Visual communication delivers more precise & easy transmission of information than textual. Thanks for writing this article, it enhanced my perception about digital marketing! Youtube Rocks!

[Lester]

Very informative, we are having problems getting our videos out there but we are enjoying the working process so we hope it will keep growing as we do. Thanks for the info and check out http://www.youtube.com/TheTLTLHeadquarters for that cool video you were talking about.

[CBAND]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qKuuKNRNFI

[Kaitlyn]

Thanks for the tips! I especially like the one about honesty. That has been very important to me from the start. I've been on youtube for almost a year now. I post videos of me singing and playing guitar. I mostly sing original songs. I have a small following of loyal fans. My song "Tell me Why" was featured on girlslife.com, so I know I'm not bad. All my videos have an average of about 500 views, and the most one has is around 2,350. I'm just wondering if you, or anyone could help me out with getting more views. My youtube channel is www.youtube.com/lilbitguitarobsessed. Thanks, and i'll definitely try some if your tips!

[evan witt]

I will follow yor advice, and spam this post with my video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7wypHgHC6k

[hacmicah]

Thanks for the great article. My collaborator friend and I are just experimenting with creating some viral videos...We've had over 500 hits in a few days and it's looking like this may get some steam. I'm a fan of your work now, thanks for the encouraging post!
BTW...we shot and edited it with the camera and free i-movie software in my new macbook! It's shot in front of a large high def TV which produced an awesome a href="http://www.idolreplicas.net/guess-replica-watches.html"guess watch/a

[micah]

I want to thank the blogger very much not only for this post but also for his all previous efforts. I found thesimpleyoga.com to be greatly interesting.a href="http://www.idolreplicas.net/fendi-replica-handbags.html"fendi bag/a

[Taylor]

I have a youtube series my friend and I made here is link to first of the Taywing Old Man Chronicles. I think it's very funny.search taywing to see any of my videos. thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGK5xTDcACM

[Nydia Guadalupe]

Thanks for the tips. I just started putting videos on You tube and I needed this information. Thanks.

[Zak]

Please check out my featured video on my channel:
DesiNetworkTV:)

You might like it

[Jessica may]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SDXiWBjBrQ

[Jessica may]

HI GUYS! PLEASE VEIW MY VIDEO AS I THINK YOU WILL ENJOY IT ALOT. ITS MY MUSIC VIDEO DONE TO A VERY POPULAR SONG. ADDED PHOTOS VIDEOS, COLOURS, SONGS, WORDS, AND MORE! I WOULD APRECIATE IF YOU WATCHED IT THANKS SO MUCH! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SDXiWBjBrQ

[Sirnoc]

New Video Alert!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuCRCZ6M1s0

[Steven Donovan]

I came up with this idea for a droid parody after walking into my friends house and this scene from spiderman 2 was on tv, I thought it was a commercial for droid at first so I made it. I hope you enjoy, please pass it on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZznBdxg05Q&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[Tyler Dasberg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtvr-FR0qOg

check this out! It's a remake of Justin Bieber's Baby Music Video

[Jennifer]

These are some great tips!! I'll definitely try them. Watch my cover of Jar of Hearts!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiAMMzMlg3E

[mat]

ok well heres my video that will be going viral.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOebbpt-uw

[Bortran Rogert]

don spek inglis weil but this help mi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBZimsjn9ZU

[bill]

check out

http://www.youtube.com/user/JSMusic93?feature=mhum

[Viral Genius]

This a great way to gain over 3 million viral views in a few days http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj0A_BzJedo

[tobyjones57]

Luminosity wrote 7 steps to a viral video here:
http://luminositymarketing.com/blog/?p=3738
Personally, I can think of at least one step that's missing. Can you?

[Tom]

Hi all,
Im a newbie from Norway,
Check out my cool snowboard video of myself riding with a bucket on the head:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZX1ADLkyfw

[Daivy Smith]

Thank you very much!8 tips to make your YouTube video go viral is useful for me!
swiss watches replica

[Enthusiastic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vhamhrtMQs

[Jusnod]

Top Viral Video Tips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeEu0zNeJQA&feature=related

[jamyong28]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxGzdnk-mPo

Me Singing "Price Tag" by Jessie J :DD
hope you guys like it!

[Clementine]

Thanks for your advice, it's really helpful !
I've made this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTZOXupKcH8 and although it is a lot longer than you recommend I'm trying to get it seen, any suggestions would be really appreciated !

[u tube]

Cool Vidx love it:)

[James Shelnutt]

These were great tips, and I'm hoping that my video will go viral as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SZ3cNqdV6E

[White Label SEO]

Thank you for the great information on this website. More power on your video going viral.

[Joy]

share with your friends... i'm trying to make it viral http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jb_7DkyfqQ-a friend of mine's amazing performance.

[DJ Timachi-Facebook got me Laid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiHS2t6lTPw

[Dominick]

Thanks for the advice! I can definitely use help in getting more viewers to my YouTube channel!

[Brandon-Richard]

Hey I'd love for anyone to check out my video. I'm a 15 year old musician from Canada recording under the name SatellitesAndStars. I'll be uploading new videos daily.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMMF__F3Sek

[Curtis]

WATCH KOOLKIDSMCA ON YOUTUBE ITS VERY VERY FUNNY

[Sarah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhof-_63_gI

[james]

My mate when he was 14

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UVIcHG6GfY

[James Marshall]

Hi David,
I did this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkRp2N8MCX4
with some young athletes last week. Feedback is welcome.

[how to video]

Thanks for post these nice and great tips about video making ..

[Maya]

You said to let you know if I made a good video :) this is me playing guitar. It's my most successful video so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0qDiinvf4Y

And here's my channel:
http://youtube.com/TheAngelOfMusic2

Please check it out, and if you like it, subscribe! :) Thanks!

[XcentrO]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_v2Cm6bma8

[BladY]

For a great example of a simple homemade movie!
Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_v2Cm6bma8

[Jack Butler]

Check out this video that was used on The Jay Leno Show - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCJFfvZE4k0