How to Create Viral Videos on Social Media: A Guide for Marketers?

 

Video is one of the most powerful forms of content on social media. According to a report by Cisco, the video will account for 82% of all internet traffic by 2022. Video can help you reach a wider audience, increase your engagement, and drive more conversions.

But how do you create videos that go viral? What are the secrets behind the most successful viral videos on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok?

In this article, we will share with you the best practices for creating viral videos on social media. We will cover the following topics:

● How to define your video goals and audience

● How to craft a compelling video story and script

● How to produce high-quality video content with a minimal budget and equipment

● How to optimize your video for each social media platform

● How to distribute and promote your video effectively

By following these tips, you will be able to create viral videos that boost your brand awareness and engagement.

Whether you are a small business owner, a freelancer, or a digital marketing agency, you can use video as a powerful tool to grow your online presence and reach your target customers.

Define Your Video Goals and Audience

The first step to creating a viral video is to define your video goals and audience. What do you want to achieve with your video? Who do you want to reach with your video?

Your video goals should be SMART

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, your goal could be to increase your website traffic by 20% in the next month or to generate 100 leads for your new product launch in the next week.

Your video audience should be based on your buyer persona

A semi-fictional representation of your ideal customer. You should know their demographics, psychographics, pain points, challenges, goals, and preferences.

For example, your audience could be female entrepreneurs aged 25-35 who are looking for ways to grow their online business.

By defining your video goals and audience, you will be able to create a video that resonates with them and motivates them to take action.

Craft a Compelling Video Story and Script

The next step to creating a viral video is to craft a compelling video story and script. A good video story should have three elements: a hook, a body, and a call to action.

● A hook is the first few seconds of your video that grabs the attention of your viewers and makes them want to watch more. You can use a catchy headline, a shocking statistic, a provocative question, or a personal anecdote to hook your viewers.

● A body is the main part of your video that delivers your message and value proposition. You can use facts, data, testimonials, case studies, or stories to support your message and show how you can solve your audience’s problem or fulfill their desire.

● A call-to-action is the last part of your video that tells your viewers what to do next. You can ask them to visit your website, sign up for your newsletter, download your ebook, or share your video with their friends.

A good video script should be concise, clear, and conversational. You should use simple words and sentences that are easy to understand and remember.

You should also use emotional triggers such as humor, curiosity, fear, or urgency to appeal to your audience’s emotions and persuade them to take action.

Produce High-Quality Video Content with Minimal Budget and Equipment

The third step to creating a viral video is to produce high-quality video content with minimal budget and equipment. You don’t need expensive cameras or fancy editing software to create a great video.

You can use your smartphone or laptop camera as long as it has good resolution and lighting. You can also use free or low-cost tools such as Canva, Lumen5, or InVideo to create stunning graphics and animations for your video.

Here are some tips to produce high-quality video content:

● Use a tripod or a stable surface to avoid shaky footage

● Use natural light or a ring light to illuminate your face and background

● Use a microphone or a headset to record clear audio

● Use royalty-free music and sound effects to enhance your mood and tone

● Use transitions and effects sparingly to avoid distracting from your message

● Use captions and subtitles to make your video accessible and SEO-friendly

Optimize Your Video for Each Social Media Platform

The fourth step to creating a viral video is to optimize your video for each social media platform. Each platform has its own specifications and best practices for video content. You should tailor your video according to the platform’s algorithm, audience behavior, and features.

Here are some general guidelines for optimizing your video for each platform:

YouTube

YouTube is the largest and most popular video-sharing platform in the world. It is ideal for long-form videos that provide in-depth information or entertainment.

You should optimize your YouTube videos by using keywords in your title, description, tags, and captions; creating custom thumbnails; adding end screens and cards; creating playlists; and engaging with your comments.

Facebook

Facebook is the largest and most popular social networking platform in the world. It is ideal for short-form videos that provide bite-sized information or entertainment.

You should optimize your Facebook videos by using catchy headlines; uploading native videos instead of links; adding captions; using live or 360-degree videos; creating watch parties; and boosting your posts with ads.

Instagram

Instagram is one of the most popular photo-sharing platforms in the world. It is ideal for visually appealing videos that showcase your brand personality or lifestyle.

You should optimize your Instagram videos by using hashtags; uploading vertical videos; using stories or reels; adding stickers or filters; tagging relevant accounts; and using IGTV for longer videos.

TikTok

TikTok is one of the fastest-growing short-video platforms in the world. It is ideal for fun and creative videos that tap into trends or challenges.

You should optimize your TikTok videos by using popular songs or sounds; adding effects or transitions; joining duets or stitches; participating in hashtags or challenges; collaborating with influencers; and going live.

Distribute and Promote Your Video Effectively

The final step to creating a viral video is to distribute and promote your video effectively. You should not rely on organic reach alone to get views for your video. You should also use paid or earned media strategies to amplify your reach and engagement.

Here are some tips to distribute and promote your video effectively:

● Embed your video on your website or blog

● Share your video on your email list or newsletter

● Post your video on relevant online communities or forums

● Reach out to influencers or bloggers who can share or review your video

● Run paid ads on social media platforms or search engines

● Analyze your video performance using analytics tools

● Test different versions of your video using A/B testing tools

By following these steps, you will be able to create viral videos on social media that boost your brand awareness and engagement. Remember that creating viral videos is not an exact science but an art that requires creativity, experimentation, and persistence.

If you need help with creating viral videos on social media, you can contact us at a digital marketing agency in Vancouver.

We are a team of experts who can help you with every aspect of video marketing from strategy to production to distribution. We have helped many clients achieve amazing results with their videos.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started today!