Have you ever been sent a link to a YouTube video to find it’s received hundreds of thousands of hits? Sometimes it’s because the content of the video or production is amazing, funny or infectiously catchy, but just as often they’re little more than a kid in front of a camera without any rhyme or reason as to why it’s popular. And if that video maker makes an agreement to sell ad space or go in together to share revenue with YouTube they could be looking at some big bucks down the road. So how can you make your video an “overnight” sensation? Here are a few tips…
First off make something engaging and habit-forming. Whether it’s funny, poignant or so bad it’s good, capture something that makes people feel watching it was a valid use of their time. And if it’s really good they’ll want to share it even if they’ve never met you before.
And then put in some serious effort toward marketing. It doesn’t mean you have to spend a bundle of money. In fact, viral marketing is the cutting edge way of building a buzz and doesn’t have to cost you much money at all. Remember Blair Witch Project and how it was going around online that the events actually happened? That was a brilliant viral marketing campaign conducted by the filmmakers themselves. Those same filmmakers have gone on to create viral campaigns for car companies and other big-name products because the Fortune 500 companies know that an invested customer is a loyal customer, even if that “customer” is just some bored kid surfing the net.
These days writers are even hired to help generate viral marketing content to get people talking. You can do the same but on a much smaller budget by getting your friends to help spread the word. Also ask them to pass the link around on their social media sites and ask them to start a line of commentary connected to the clip. The more people are talking, the more people are watching.
There are plenty of books out there about guerrilla marketing, some good, some not so hot but look for the well-regarded books that help teach you how to create a trend or phenomenon like Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point”.
And these days one of the best and most effective ways to get noticed is to send the clip to television shows specifically geared toward highlighting such things, like Tosh.0. Granted the producers may want to see if the video has “legs” of its own without their help but if it’s good it’s good, and before you know it you and your video may be the next best thing.
So whether it’s your phone or a video camera keep it handy at all times because you never know what you might be able to catch; and when you do you may end up laughing all the way to the bank.
Would you like to create the next YouTube sensation?
About the Author: Emma Bell writes for Coupon Croc. Want a great deal on video gadgets? Check out this Discount Voucher.
Image Credit – YouTube Sensation
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