The Psychology Behind What Makes a Video Go Viral

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Consider you’re a content creator who just posted a video online. At first, you’re not too excited; it’s just another video, right? Then, you notice your follower count rising. Within a day, your video has racked up thousands of views and dozens of comments. Suddenly, you’re a star. This scenario isn’t just a pipe dream.

It happens constantly, especially to those using creator marketing to boost their online profiles. If you ask yourself, “What makes a video go viral?” you’re not alone. Understanding the elements contributing to viral videos can help you achieve your goals, like growing your LinkedIn and X accounts with organic engagement. This guide will share valuable insights to help you get there.

One effective way to grow your accounts is with Megaphone's viral on-demand platform. This tool can help you with your videos, the videos of others, and the videos that feature your brand. The platform identifies trending audio and content so you can jump on the next viral wave before it crashes.

What Makes a Video Go Viral

Viral videos give people something to talk about. One of the most famous viral videos of all time, the “Ice Bucket Challenge,” went viral not only because it was entertaining but also because it raised awareness about ALS, giving people a purpose to share and talk about the cause.

Sharing often becomes a way for people to engage with current trends, cultural phenomena, and controversial topics on the tip of everyone’s tongue. In a way, viral videos serve as social currency, providing a common ground for people to connect, engage in discussions, and share their opinions with others equally captivated by the content.

The Role of Emotions in Viral Videos

A viral video’s shareability significantly relies on its ability to stir emotions. People are likelier to share content that elicits strong emotional responses, whether it’s laughter, awe, anger, or empathy. Heartwarming stories about acts of kindness or adorable animal videos often go viral because they tug at our heartstrings, eliciting positive emotions that people are eager to share with their friends and followers.

Timing is Key to a Video’s Viral Success

Viral videos often have triggers that boost their shareability. Timely videos that coincide with significant events or trends have a higher chance of going viral as they become part of the ongoing conversation. Memorable catchphrases or challenges—like “Gangnam Style’s” horse dance or the “Mannequin Challenge”—serve as triggers that encourage imitation and participation. People love to mimic and be part of something bigger than themselves, which fuels the spread of these videos.

When Does a Video Go Viral?

Some viral videos result from calculated efforts by influencers and marketers who leverage algorithms and platforms for commercial purposes. This might include posting at optimal engagement times, marketing to specific demographics, or developing a robust, irrefutable call-to-action. These popular clips are usually a result of a mix of strategic planning and genuine relatability. While some go viral by chance, most are designed and promoted to maximize their reach.

Unruly has identified 10 motivations for social sharing. The best videos elicit a broad range of motivations. Take a look at the social motivations that “Puppyhood” viewers reported. Opinion seeking was significant, but three-quarters of viewers found other good reasons to share it.

The Importance of Emotional Response

Most people think humor drives sharing, but it’s a complex and culturally sensitive response to nails. Companies should try to evoke multiple positive responses to ensure the content resonates—again, the more intense the reaction, the better.

Super Sharers Move The Needle

Nearly 18% of internet users share videos at least once a week—and almost 9% share daily. Companies should find ways to reach these “super sharers,” responsible for more than four-fifths of total shares.

Timing Counts

The more shares a video generates during the first two days after launch, the higher the viral peak and the greater the overall volume of shares. Marketers should consider front-loading campaigns to maximize visibility during this window. The launch day also makes a difference: Most sharing activity happens on Wednesday (the optimal day), Thursday, and Friday.

14 Useful Tips to Make Viral Videos

1. Use Megaphone: The Easy Way to Go Viral

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2. Keep It Short & Sweet

Most viral videos are not very long. They often don’t go past thirty seconds. Instead, they hook people within a few seconds and convey a message shortly thereafter. Unless you have a specific way to keep people interested in your video, emulate this length. Aim for something shorter than sixty seconds. Of course, platforms such as TikTok already have some limits on the length of videos.

While they recently expanded what they allow, for a long time, you could not make anything longer than three minutes. Further back in the past, TikTok was even more limited. Its first offering only allowed creators to make videos of sixty seconds or even 15 seconds in its first outing. TikTok saw the benefits of creating short, snappy content; it has expanded its target audience over time.

It now aims at people looking for educational content rather than only entertainment. As educational content is often not viral, the creators of longer videos have a different audience. Instead, they make them for their already-existing followers.

3. Get to the Point

Some of the best social media videos do not meander. If you want people to be paying attention, you cannot give them even an inch to stop paying attention. With that in mind, be careful not to stop focusing on the point you are trying to make. That point might take you a short period to set up in the video, but there are ways to make that excitement last over a more extended period. Some videos hint at what is to come. As seen in modern trailers, others give a small taste of the punch at the start. However, none of these avoid the message they are trying to put forward.

4. Have a Point in the First Place

If we are trying to get you to keep to a point, you must have one in the first place. You should not make videos for the sake of it, hoping they become viral. Social media does not work that way. You must be putting forward a message of some kind. This message might be a joke, it might be a scene or scenario, or it could be something else entirely. Either way, know that success comes from creating something with intent unless a video is a happy accident that goes viral.

5. Tell a Story

When making a viral video, you must lay it out like a classic story. Such content needs a beginning, a middle, and an end. At the start of the video, you need to set up some context and set expectations. A middle might extend that and create a twist or do something to inform users. The end of the video would then either be the viral punch or act as a denouement to the middle. You can connect with people by telling a story, even if not literally. They can go on a mental journey of emotions, and it can help them understand what you are trying to say.

6. Go for the Unexpected

As you create video content, any story you tell might not always be typical. Your story (as above) might have a twist to it. Examples of things that would count as unexpected include An unexpected brand, Jokes, and Horror themes. Each of the above has the potential for people to share them around a social group to invoke a reaction. However, be aware that not all these reactions are optimistic. You should take care when creating horror-themed content, for example.

7. Be Relevant to Trends

Every video creator should involve themselves with online video platforms as a user. This helps people to understand what is currently trending in such spaces. With that in mind, any video you make would do well to repeat or remix an existing trend. Trends over time have allowed people to see the brand or the person as someone relatable whom they can trust. You often see this in the celebrity world, where famous people follow a trend to stay relevant. Now, this is not mandatory. Many videos are trendsetters themselves, and some of the most unique content breaks out of other bubbles. However, not every video you make needs to be the one on which others base their work.

8. Be Relatable

Some of the most engaging videos show the creator as an empathetic figure. This helps them appear "just as human" as the viewers. This is especially useful for brands that must shirk a poor reputation or individuals known for celebrity status. Many pieces of content that match this style are comparable to the standup comedy of old. The "airline food" jokes may have had their time, but there are plenty of similar things in the modern world that other people relate to.

9. Don’t Promote Anything

Promoting yourself or someone else while making viral content might be tempting. This is the wrong thing to do. When people see your content, you will turn them off when they see you promoting yourself or someone else in the video. If, instead, you create a piece of content unrelated to you but put it on your channel, people are more likely to stick around. You give them value unrelated to your name, but you can draw them later. This might go against everything you learned in marketing school, but it is a cornerstone of modern marketing.

10. Format It Correctly

You need to ensure that you are making content related to the platform on which you host it. There is no use in making a landscape video; you only have to place it on TikTok, where all the good content is in portrait. If you do this, you will appear unprofessional. Think back to when you have seen portrait-captured content on YouTube. It is the same thing there. Create or crop your content to fit your chosen video location.

11. Make a Good Thumbnail

Without word-of-mouth spread of your video, you will rely on people coming across your content naturally. You must make a thumbnail on YouTube and other platforms to encourage people to click on your video instead of others. There are as many thumbnail creation tutorials as video tutorials, so this guide will not go into the details here. But in the short term, here are a few pointers: Include the title in the thumbnail, Use at least one face with an intense expression, Use a clear font, Create contrast for any text on the thumbnail, Use an image relevant to the content, Use thumbnails that are consistent across videos, Design for a small screen.

12. Make a Good Title

As well as a video itself, you should create a title for your video that will draw people in further. While the thumbnail catches the eye, the title should tell people about the video. You may even put the title in the thumbnail itself. Exciting titles often use words or phrases that audiences can relate to. Some of the strongest ones either ask questions or create questions in the audience's mind. Also, remember to stay under the limit for a headline. While YouTube will not limit you, you might get cut off in a user’s preview, which is unhelpful. If you are unsure if my title is too long, aim for around 70 characters, including spaces, as this should fit most of the time.

13. Provide Something Valuable

When you create a video, you should provide something of value. This ensures that people are more likely to consider it something they want to forward to someone else. The four main ways something will be valuable are Entertaining, Motivational, Educational, and Relational.

14. If It Doesn't Go Viral, Work Out Why

You will want to have good eyes on every part of a video that a platform allows you to see. Doing this will let you understand what part of a video turned people on or pushed them away. YouTube is perfect for this. On that platform, you can see all the moments of every video that you create and what specific part of your content draws people in. You can also see where your views dropped off. Using this, retrospect on your video creation and planning methods. You can improve your viral content over time, aiming it at the people who view specific parts of your videos.

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Viral Video Content Ideas

1. Challenge Videos

Challenge videos remain a popular category on YouTube, consistently attracting large audiences. Here are a few ideas that can spark your creativity.

Last to Leave Challenges

These are great for engaging with your audience over extended periods. For example, ‘Last to Leave the Virtual Reality Room’ can merge technology with endurance.

Capitalize on trending challenges by creating compilation videos, providing commentary, or trying them out yourself.

Revive Old Challenges

Nostalgia is powerful. Bring back challenges from the past, like the Ice Bucket Challenge, with a new twist for 2024.

2. Educational Content and Tutorials

How-to videos and tutorials are incredibly sought-after on YouTube. They not only provide value but also establish your authority in a niche.

Tech Tutorials Using AI

Show how to use AI tools like Stockimg.ai to create high-quality images for thumbnails or animations for intros.

Life Hacks and Tips

These videos can offer practical advice and simple solutions, from organizing your space to tech hacks.

Skill Development

Educational tutorials will always have an audience, whether it's learning a new language or mastering software.

3. Family Channels

Family channels are enormous, and there's a lot of scope to create content that appeals to all age groups.

Educational Videos for Kids

Create fun and interactive learning videos for children.

DIY Crafts and Activities

These are great for parents looking for activities to do with their children.

Family Vlogs

Share your family adventures, celebrations, and daily routines.

4. Gaming Videos

Gaming is one of the most popular niches on YouTube. Here's how you can level up your gaming content.

Gameplay Walkthroughs

Especially for new and popular games released in 2024.

Gaming Challenges

Like ‘Can I beat this game without taking damage?’ or using quirky controllers.

AI in Gaming

Explore how AI changes gaming with tutorials on AI-based games or modifications.

5. Comedy and Parody

Laughter is universal, and comedic content performs well on YouTube.

Sketch Comedy

Create funny skits about everyday situations or current trends.

Parodies

Make parodies of popular songs, movies, or commercials.

Reaction Videos

React to funny, viral content or new music videos and films.

6. Health and Fitness

With a growing focus on wellness, content around fitness and health is more relevant than ever.

Home Workouts

Share routines that require minimal equipment.

Healthy Recipes

Cook meals that are not only healthy but also easy to prepare.

Mental Health Tips

Offer advice on mindfulness and managing stress.

Go Viral Today with Our Viral on Demand Platform

A sophisticated engagement network,

Private engagement pod service (coming soon),

Diverse creator partnerships for sponsored posts, X spaces, and newsletter ads (coming soon).

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10 Niches That Go Viral For Content Creators

1. Cooking and Recipes

You know those cooking videos that pop up on your feed, and you instantly stop to watch? Yep, everyone loves food. That’s why cooking and recipe videos go viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. Whether you’re a master chef or just learning the ropes, cooking content is universally appealing.

People always look for meal inspirations, diet tips, or fun food experiments. With TikTok’s short video format, you can showcase a mouth-watering dish or a clever cooking trick in under a minute, making it easy for viewers to watch and share. What Kind of Content Works Best?

Quick and Easy Recipes

Share 30-second clips of easy-to-make dishes, like 5-ingredient pasta or 10-minute desserts.

Cooking Hacks

Show tips like how to peel garlic quickly, keep herbs fresh longer, or make perfect poached eggs.

Food Challenges

Create fun challenges like cooking a meal with a limited budget or using only pantry staples.

Behind the Scenes

Give a peek into your kitchen setup, cooking fails, or a day in the life of a food blogger.

Diet-Specific Recipes

Cater to specific vegan, keto, or gluten-free diets with delicious and creative recipes.

Cultural Cuisine

Explore and share recipes from different cultures, showcasing unique ingredients and cooking methods.

2. Pet Videos

Who can resist the adorable antics of a playful kitten or the goofy charm of a clumsy puppy? These videos appeal to a broad audience, from animal lovers to those needing a quick smile during a busy day. Plus, pets are universally loved, making this niche perfect for anyone looking to grow their TikTok presence.

So, don’t underestimate the viral potential of their everyday cuteness. Let’s grab your phone and capture those funny moments immediately – you might become the next big influencer in this best TikTok niche! What Kind of Content Works Best?

Daily Routine

Show a day in the life of your pet. Capture their morning stretches, playtime, meals, and bedtime routines.

Training Tips

Share short clips of you training your pet with tips and tricks for teaching new commands or behaviors.

Funny Moments

Compile a series of amusing or unexpected moments featuring your pet, like trying to fit into a small space or reacting to a new toy.

Pet Hacks

Share useful hacks that make pet care more accessible, such as DIY toys or grooming tips.

Reaction Videos

Capture your pet’s reactions to various situations, like seeing themselves in the mirror, hearing a strange noise, or meeting a new animal.

Before and After

Show the transformation of your pet before and after a grooming session or bath.

Pet Challenges

Participate in prevalent TikTok challenges and trends with your pet as the star.

Rescue Stories

Share heartwarming stories about how you rescued your pet and their journey to a happy home.

3. DIY and Crafting

The magic of the DIY and crafting niche is that it’s fun, accessible, and ripe for going viral. Can you relate? Have you ever spent hours scrolling through TikTok, mesmerized by those quick and creative DIY projects? Suddenly, you’re itching to grab some glue and glitter and release your inner crafter. This niche truly welcomes everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned artisan or a complete beginner with a hot glue gun and a dream, a crafting corner of TikTok is waiting for you. What Kind of Content Works Best?

Step-by-Step Tutorials

Break down complex projects into simple, easy-to-follow steps. Show your audience how to create anything from homemade candles to custom wall art.

Quick Tips and Hacks

Share short videos featuring handy tips and tricks that simplify crafting, like organizing supplies or using everyday items creatively.

Before and After Transformations

Showcase the dramatic difference between the start and end of a project, such as furniture makeovers or room renovations.

Behind-the-Scenes

Give a glimpse into your crafting process, showing the planning, materials, and sometimes the bloopers.

Craft Organization Hacks

Help viewers conquer craft supply chaos with clever storage and organization tips.

4. Life Hacks

Have you ever noticed how the people around you seem to be running around like crazy in the hustle and bustle of their lives? That is why the life hacks niche on TikTok is all about these ingenious solutions that simplify everyday tasks.

Whether you’re a pro at finding clever shortcuts or just love sharing valuable tips, the Life Hacks – the best TikTok Niche niche offers endless opportunities to engage with a broad audience and make their lives a little bit easier. What Kind of Content Works Best?

Money-Saving Hacks

Offer tips on saving money on groceries, travel, or everyday expenses.

Life Skill Hacks

Teach viewers how to tie a tie, fix a leaky faucet, or master a simple DIY project.

Household Tips

Provide hacks for cleaning, organizing, and maintaining a home efficiently, like using vinegar for cleaning or repurposing old items for storage.

Parenting Hacks

Share creative solutions for busy parents, such as quick meal ideas, educational activities for kids, or organizing family schedules.

Office and Work-from-Home Hacks

Offer tips for setting up an efficient home office, improving focus and productivity, or organizing digital files and emails.

5. Gaming

The gaming community is massive and passionate, making it a hotbed for viral content on TikTok. Plus, with the gaming community being so active and supportive, your chances of going viral are sky-high. There are many ways to share your experiences, funny fails, and epic wins with the world. So, dust off your controller, hit record, and see if you can’t be the next gaming superstar on TikTok! What Kind of Content Works Best?

Struggles We All Face

Compile relatable moments every gamer experiences, like grinding for hours, connection issues, or rage-quitting after a frustrating loss.

Gameplay Highlights

Share exciting or funny moments from your gaming sessions. Capture epic wins, fails, or unexpected events that showcase your gaming skills and personality.

Tips and Tricks

Offer valuable advice and strategies for popular games. This can include beginner tips, advanced tactics, or hidden secrets that help players improve their gameplay.

Game Reviews and Recommendations

Create short reviews or recommendations for new and trending games. Highlight the key features, pros, and cons, and share your experience.

Tutorials and How-Tos

Provide step-by-step tutorials for challenging game levels, missions, or achievements. Break down complex tasks into easy-to-follow instructions.

Live Streaming Snippets

Share clips from your live streams on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. Highlight interesting interactions with viewers, intense gameplay moments, or humorous incidents.

Gaming Challenges

Participate in or create your gaming challenges. Encourage your followers to join and share their attempts, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

6. Educational Content

Are you a guru in your field, brimming with knowledge you’re eager to share with the world? So, the best TikTok niche – education is for you! With a smartphone and expertise, you can become a guiding light for anyone seeking to transform TikTok into a learning tool. What Kind of Content Works Best?

How-Tos and Tutorials

Provide step-by-step guides on how to do something, from solving math problems to learning a new language.

Study Tips and Hacks

Offer valuable advice and strategies for effective studying, time management, and exam preparation.

Book Summaries and Reviews

Summarize and review educational books, sharing key takeaways and your insights.

Q&A Sessions

Host live Q&A sessions where viewers can submit questions on a specific topic you’ll answer engagingly.

Duet Learning

Partner with other educators on TikTok to create duet videos where you each present a different aspect of the same topic.

7. Technology and Gadgets

In this day and age, who doesn’t love keeping up with the latest tech trends, ogling over the newest must-have gadgets? This niche is an absolute goldmine for going viral on TikTok. Why, you ask? The sheer excitement and curiosity around new tech is enough to have people scrolling endlessly, double-tapping, and sharing like there’s no tomorrow. So, if you’re looking to tap into a niche that’s engaging, easy to create content for, and prime for going viral, the ‘Technology and Gadgets’ route might just be your golden ticket.

What Kind of Content Works Best? Unboxings

Share the excitement of unboxing the latest gadgets and tech products, showcasing their features and first impressions.

Tech Reviews

Provide in-depth reviews of gadgets, highlighting their pros, cons, and overall performance.

Gadget Comparisons

Compare different gadgets and technologies, explaining their differences and helping viewers choose the best option for their needs.

Tech Hacks

Share creative hacks for enhancing the functionality of gadgets, such as improving battery life or optimizing device performance.

Live Demos

Host live demonstrations of new gadgets, answering viewer questions and showcasing real-time usage.

8. Animation and Digital Art

On a platform built on visual storytelling, this niche is a natural fit. Furthermore, people love seeing artistic processes and the final results, which can be inspiring and entertaining. Whether you are an animator or a digital artist, the Animation and Digital Art niche offers endless opportunities to engage with a creative audience and share your passion. What Kind of Content Works Best?

Speed paints and Time-lapses

Show the creation process of your artwork from start to finish in a fast-paced, visually engaging format.

Animation Shorts

Create engaging animated clips that tell a story or convey a message.

Drawing Tutorials

Provide step-by-step tutorials on how to draw various subjects, from characters to landscapes.

Fan Art

Create fan art of popular characters from movies, games, or other media, tapping into existing fanbases.

Art Giveaways

Organize art giveaways to engage your audience and reward your followers.

9. Product Reviews

The product Reviews niche is the goldmine of content captivating audiences and raising views.

Think about it

who doesn’t love learning about the latest must-have gadgets, beauty must-haves, or game-changing home goods? Exactly! Product reviews tap into a universal human interest, making this niche a perfect fit for TikTokers of all backgrounds. What Kind of Content Works Best?

Top 10 Lists

List the products in a specific category, such as the best smartphones, beauty products, or kitchen gadgets.

Audience Requests

Review products your audience requests, showing you value their input and engagement.

First Impression Reviews

Unbox a new product and share your initial thoughts on its appearance, packaging, and overall feel.

10. Book Recommendations and Reviews

People are always on the hunt for their next great read. Are you an avid reader looking to share your literary passions? Or perhaps you’re simply someone who loves discovering new books and can’t wait to tell everyone about them? If so, the “Book Recommendations and Reviews” niche on TikTok might be your ticket to social media stardom. What Kind of Content Works Best?

ShortBook Highlights

Think of 60-second clips that tease the plot, share your thoughts on the characters, or highlight your favorite quotes.

Book Hauls

Show off your recent book purchases or library finds, sharing your excitement about what you plan to read next.

Author Spotlights

Highlight the works of specific authors, discussing their writing style, notable books, and why you recommend them.

Book vs. Movie

Compare books to their movie adaptations, discussing differences, strengths, and weaknesses.

Go Viral Today with Our Viral on Demand Platform

The first step to going viral is engaging with a community of creators. Instead of relying on paid ads to get your brand in front of new audiences, leverage the trust influencers have built with their followers. Partnering with creators allows you to tap into their dedicated fan base, getting your brand in front of their audience. The goal is to create authentic content that promotes your business and resonates with the audience. When done right, this helps increase your visibility and build your reputation—all while enjoying the perks of going viral!

Megaphone helps you scale your marketing efforts with creator partnerships. The platform connects you with influential creators who can help you reach your target audience and grow your business through authentic and engaging storytelling. Instead of relying on paid ads, which can be costly, this approach helps you grow your audience organically.

With Megaphone, you can boost your online presence and social proof quickly and effectively. Start by setting goals for your campaign and using Megaphone's sophisticated creator-matching algorithm to find the perfect partners for your niche. Next, collaborate with these creators on engaging content that tells a story about your brand or product. This approach can help you reach a wider audience, improve your reputation, and increase sales, all without the drawbacks of traditional advertising. Go viral today with our viral on-demand platform.