I’m sure this has happened to you; your co-worker sends you an email and before you know it your cubicle is packed with co-workers replaying that video of the skateboarding dog. Viral videos are a new phenomenon that has taken over the web. Viral Videos are online videos that gain significant popularity through sharing across the Internet. In fact there are entire Video sites devoted to only displaying and sharing viral videos. However, can creating and sharing your own viral video create buzz for your business?
Viral videos are typically low quality, short videos that display interesting or unusual events. Don’t you remember, “Chocolate Rain,” “Leave Britney Alone,” and “Charlie Bit my Finger.” The last video has been viewed over 2.3 million times on YouTube, and new videos are gaining popularity daily. Mashable.com recently listed the top 10 Viral videos of 2010, which including a clip of an American Idol contestant singing, “Pants on the Ground,” and a video showing a double rainbow in Yosemite.
These videos are often low cost but effective and entertaining and have in the past catapulted unknown people to fame. Viral videos can be a great quick distraction for people at home or at work. Many major corporations are also getting in on the viral video game. After a YouTube user posted a video of him adding a Mentos to a bottle of soda and creating a ‘Mentos Geyser,’ Mentos sponsored a make your own Geyser competitions. By embracing their viral success Mentos’ sales were up 20 percent that year. Toyota use viral videos to promote their new Sienna minivan. They created a channel on YouTube devoted to the “Sienna Family.” The video series, which features the pseudo-cool parents who love their Sienna minivan, has generated a lot of buzz and views on YouTube. The Swagger Wagon music video has been seen over 6.8 million times. The Today Show on NBC recently hosted a series called, "Today goes Viral," where the Today Show anchors recreated some of the most popular videos on YouTube.
Even though some companies are turning their viral success into revenue, there is no research available that a video’s popularity with the public will garner financial success. Mentos’ and Toyota’s success is more of an exception then the rule. However, viral videos can be a great way to create buzz or generate interest for your business. Viral videos are often inexpensive to make and can fit into any business’ marketing efforts.
Yet, viral videos and their success stories are unpredictable. They do not gain widespread success overnight, so be patient with your view count. Post your viral video everywhere you can, so the maximum amount of people can view your video. Everyone can create a viral video, but not all viral videos will be seen. We will be discussing the importance of posting your video across Internet platforms in the third part of this series.
Bright Street Media is always available to help you navigate through the online video world. Please give us a call at 800.270.0619.
