Who doesn’t want their YouTube video to go viral? It’s every brand and marketer’s dream. When your content spreads across screens worldwide and everyone’s talking about you, it’s a big moment. While luck can play a part, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all about chance. With the right strategy, a bit of creativity, and plenty of hard work, you can stack the odds in your favour. From creating content that keeps viewers engaged to mastering SEO and designing thumbnails that get clicks, there’s a lot you can do to give your video the best shot at going viral.

What is a viral video?

A viral video is a piece of content that rapidly gains traction, accumulating views and engagement at an exponential rate. These videos spread across social media, forums, and news sites due to their entertaining, informative, or highly relatable nature. Viral videos share common traits, including:

• High engagement – lots of likes, comments, and shares.
• Quick view accumulation – videos gain popularity fast, often within hours or days.
• Reach beyond the creator’s audience – exposure extends beyond existing subscribers.

Understanding what makes a video go viral is the first step to crafting content that resonates and spreads. This is where strategy comes into play – knowing your brand, audience, and the platform you're working on. With the right equipment, filming, and editing approach, creating viral content becomes an achievable opportunity for businesses, large and small.

How to Go Viral on YouTube

1. Create High-Quality, Unique Content

One of the first things to remember when embarking on your YouTube journey is that high-quality content is essential. YouTube’s algorithm rewards videos with high watch times, which means that your video should be engaging enough to keep viewers watching all the way through. Factors to consider when creating content include:

• Production quality: Whether it's the camera equipment, lighting, or the sound quality, these elements need to be top-notch to make your video stand out.
• Editing: Post-production is key. Edit out unnecessary parts, enhance your video with proper transitions, and ensure the pacing is right.
• Originality: A unique script or concept is what makes your video stand out from the millions of others. Don’t just jump on a trend – put your own spin on it.
• Branding: Your videos should reflect your brand's tone and values, ensuring consistency across your content creation. This helps build your reputation as a creator and makes you more recognisable to viewers.

2. Experiment with Short-Form Content

YouTube Shorts, the platform’s new feature for short-form videos (up to 60 seconds), have proven to be a game-changer for creators looking to capture attention quickly. These bite-sized clips are perfect for mobile users and often achieve high engagement. Experimenting with Shorts allows you to:

• Tease longer videos: A quick, attention-grabbing short can direct viewers to your full-length videos.
• Share quick tips or insights: Sometimes, short bursts of valuable content are all you need to create buzz.
• Engage with trends and challenges: Shorts are a great way to dip your toes into trending topics and make them your own.

It’s important to keep the editing sharp and impactful, ensuring that the content is quick and engaging from start to finish.

3. Use Eye-Catching Thumbnails and Titles

Your thumbnail and title are the first things potential viewers will see, so make sure they’re compelling enough to encourage a click. A good thumbnail is almost like a mini storyboard that gives viewers a glimpse of what to expect. Best practices for thumbnails and titles include:

• Faces: People connect with human expressions, so showing a creator’s face in the thumbnail can increase engagement.
• Bold, readable text: Make sure your title is large enough to read at a glance, even on smaller screens.
• Intriguing headlines: Craft a title that sparks curiosity but isn’t misleading.

Together, these elements create an irresistible invitation to click and watch, driving the initial traffic to your video content.

4. Optimise Video Descriptions

While thumbnails and titles grab attention, video descriptions help your video show up in search results. Here’s how to optimise your descriptions:

• Use relevant keywords naturally: If your video is about video production equipment, mention specific tools or techniques used in the filming process.
• Include hashtags: Relevant hashtags related to your niche can improve searchability.
• Link to your website or other videos: Adding links can help viewers explore more of your content, increasing your chances of building loyal subscribers.

An optimised description makes your video more discoverable and gives your audience more context.

5. Hook Your Viewers Early On

The first 10 seconds of a video are crucial. If viewers don’t get hooked right away, they’re likely to click away. A strong hook can be the difference between a bounce and a viewer who sticks around for the entire video. To keep them watching, consider:

• Asking a compelling question: Something that promises value or solves a problem.
• Teasing the outcome: Let your audience know what they’ll get if they keep watching.
• Humour or surprises: Funny moments or unexpected visuals can grab attention instantly.

A well-executed hook can significantly boost the likelihood that your viewers will stay and engage with the rest of the video.