We have all been there, where might feel pressured to create a viral video and you wonder how you can go about it. But, here is something you should know:creating a viral video is not just about luck. It os about understanding what makes people stop scrolling, start watching, and hit that share button.
In today’s digital landscape, brands are fighting an uphill battle for attention. With over 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute and billions of videos consumed across social platforms daily, standing out feels nearly impossible. However, some videos manage to break through the noise, racking up millions of views and transforming brand awareness overnight.
The question is not whether viral videos are possible; we see them every day. The real question is: how can your brand create content that captures grabs attentions and shares?
Understanding What “Viral” Really Means
Before we dive into strategies, let us establish what virality actually means. A viral video is content that spreads rapidly across the internet through social sharing, reaching more people than your typical post exponentially. According to recent data, videos receive 1200% more shares than text and images combined, making them the most powerful format for achieving viral status.
In addition the average person spends approximately 100 minutes per day watching online videos.Â
By 2027, experts predict that number will climb even higher as video continues to dominate social media feeds. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge—your content has potential access to massive audiences, but you’re also competing with millions of other videos for attention.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Why Video Matters
We need to talk about why video content deserves your marketing budget and creative energy. Research from HubSpot shows that 91% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool. However, only a fraction of those videos achieve meaningful engagement. The gap between creating video content and creating effective video content is where strategy makes all the difference.
Social media platforms have evolved to prioritise video content in their algorithms. Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook video posts all receive preferential treatment in newsfeeds. This algorithmic advantage means video content naturally reaches more people than static posts—but only if you’re creating the right kind of content.
10 Strategic Tips to Create Your Next Viral Video
1. Understand Your Audience
This is not about you, your product, or your brand message; at least not directly. We have seen countless brands create beautifully produced videos that fall flat because they focused on what they wanted to say rather than what their audience wanted to hear.
Research your target demographic extensively. What content are they already sharing? What problems keep them up at night? Use social listening tools to understand the conversations happening in your industry and create content that contributes meaningfully to those discussions.
2. Embrace Authenticity Over Production Value
Do you know that some of the most viral videos were shot on smartphones with almost zero budget? The infamous “Damn Daniel” video, filmed by a teenager in a high school hallway, generated over 45 million views. Meanwhile, brands spend thousands on polished productions that barely crack 10,000 views.
We are not suggesting you abandon quality entirely, but authenticity resonates more than perfection. Modern audiences have developed a keen detector for overly produced, inauthentic content. They want real moments, genuine reactions, and content that feels like it was created by humans, not marketing departments.
3. Trigger Emotional Responses
Neuroscience research shows that emotional content is processed and remembered more effectively than rational content. Viral videos almost always evoke a strong emotional response—whether that’s joy, surprise, anger, or inspiration.
Consider which emotions align with your brand values and campaign objectives:
- Joy and Humour: Funny content is inherently shareable. People love making their friends laugh. However, ensure your humour is appropriate for your brand and doesn’t alienate your target audience.
- Inspiration: Motivational content that showcases human triumph, perseverance, or kindness consistently performs well. These videos make people feel good and want to spread positivity.
- Surprise and Awe: Content that showcases something unexpected or mind-blowing gets shared because people want to say, “You have to see this!” Think unique demonstrations, impressive skills, or unconventional perspectives.
- Righteous Anger: While controversial, content addressing injustice or industry problems can go viral when it taps into existing frustrations. Proceed carefully and ensure alignment with your brand values.
4. Hook Viewers in the First Three Seconds
We live in an era of infinite scroll. If your video does not grab attention immediately, viewers move on. Research from Microsoft suggests the average human attention span is now eight seconds—shorter than a goldfish.
Your opening frame matters enormously. Start with your most compelling visual, ask a provocative question, or present a problem your audience immediately recognises. The first three seconds determine whether someone watches or scrolls past.
5. Optimise for Sound-Off Viewing
According to Digiday, 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound. While this varies by platform, you cannot assume viewers have their audio on. Incorporate captions, text overlays, and visual storytelling that works without audio. When viewers can engage with your content in any environment—commuting, at work, in bed—you increase your potential reach.
6. Keep It Concise
While longer content has its place, viral videos tend to be short. TikTok proved that powerful stories can be told in 15-60 seconds. Wistia’s research shows that videos under two minutes maintain 60% audience retention, while videos over 10 minutes drop to 30% retention.
Edit ruthlessly. Every second should serve a purpose. If you can communicate your message in 30 seconds instead of two minutes, do it.
7. Make It Shareable by Design
Ask yourself: why would someone share this? People share content that:
- Makes them look good (funny, informed, culturally aware)
- Helps their friends (useful information, solutions to problems)
- Expresses their identity (aligns with their values or interests)
- Sparks conversation (controversial, thought-provoking)
Build shareability into your concept from the beginning. Include elements that encourage sharing, whether that’s a challenge, a question, or content so remarkable people feel compelled to spread it.
8. Leverage Trends and Cultural Moments
Viral content often rides the wave of existing trends. This doesn’t mean jumping on every bandwagon, but rather strategically participating in relevant cultural moments. Use trending audio on TikTok and Instagram Reels, reference current events when appropriate, or put your unique spin on popular formats.
Timing matters. Being early to a trend can catapult your content, while being late makes you look out of touch. Monitor trending hashtags, sounds, and formats in your industry.
9. Engage Aggressively in the Comments
Virality doesn’t end when you post. The conversation in your comments section fuels algorithmic promotion. Every comment, reply, and interaction signals to platforms that your content is engaging and should be shown to more people.
We recommend responding to every comment within the first few hours of posting. Ask follow-up questions, thank people for sharing, and keep the conversation going. This approach serves dual purposes: building community and boosting algorithmic performance.
10. Amplify Strategically
When you notice a video gaining traction organically, pour fuel on the fire (not literally, though). If engagement is climbing faster than usual, consider:
- Paid Promotion: Allocate budget to boost the post to lookalike audiences. Even a small investment can exponentially increase reach when content is already performing well.
- Cross-Platform Distribution: Share the video across all your social channels. Embed it in email newsletters, feature it on your website, and encourage your team to share from their personal accounts.
- Influencer Outreach: Identify relevant influencers or media outlets and share your content with them directly. A single share from the right account can multiply your reach overnight.
- Employee Advocacy: Mobilise your team to engage with and share the content. Their networks represent untapped audience potential.
The Reality of Virality
Let’s be honest, you cannot guarantee virality. If there were a foolproof formula, every brand would use it. However, you can dramatically increase your odds by understanding platform algorithms, audience psychology, and content best practices.
We have seen brands create exceptional content that doesn’t go viral but still delivers tremendous value, in terms of building brand awareness, generating leads, and strengthening customer relationships. Conversely, we have watched simple, authentic videos explode unexpectedly, reaching millions.
The key is consistent execution. Keep creating, testing, and refining your approach. Analyse what works, learn from what doesn’t, and stay adaptable as platforms and audience preferences evolve.
Moving Forward
Creating a viral video requires equal parts strategy, creativity, and timing. While you can’t control every variable, you can control your preparation, execution, and response to performance.
Focus on creating content your audience genuinely values. Be authentic, evoke emotion, and make shareability a core component of your strategy. Most importantly, don’t let the pursuit of virality paralyse your content creation. The brands that succeed are those that consistently produce quality content while staying ready to amplify when lightning strikes.
The next viral video could be yours—but only if you are creating content worth sharing.
Ready to transform your video strategy? At DottsMediaHouse, we help brands cut through the noise and create content that resonates. Let’s talk about making your next campaign unforgettable.
