How to Make a Viral Video: Viral Tips For Online Success

Viral videos are more than just fleeting trends—they're increasingly becoming a vital part of successful content marketing strategies that can dramatically extend your reach.

As we head into 2025, platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts continue to drive the popularity of video content, especially short-form videos that people love to scroll and share.

In this guide, we'll dive into actionable steps and tips for crafting videos that not only capture attention but also resonate enough to go viral. We’ll also look at some common mistakes you must avoid and how viral videos can be monetized.

Let’s go.

A viral video is essentially any clip that quickly skyrockets to fame through widespread sharing.

Consider a viral video as the initial hook in the world of B2B sales, much like the opening act in guided selling. Just as guided selling equips sales reps in B2B sales to effectively navigate potential buyers through tailored solutions based on their responses and data, a viral video captivates and draws in a wide audience with compelling content. In both scenarios, the goal is to keep the audience hooked and guide them toward a desired action, whether it's sharing a video or sealing a deal.

While there’s no guarantee that what you create will become a viral video and make you an internet sensation, there are some steps you can take to improve your odds of success. Here they are: 

1. Understand Your Audience

Dive deep into who's watching. Use the analytics tools on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to get a grip on who your audience is, what they like, and how they engage. Throw in a few surveys to get even more personal. Tailoring your videos to match your audience’s vibe not only spikes engagement but also shares. 

2. Craft a Compelling Story

Every viral video tells a story. Make yours count. Whether it’s a laugh, a tear, or a jaw-drop, your story should strike a chord with your audience, pulling them right into the scene with emotions that stick. 

3. Create a Nice Hook

You've got a few seconds to catch their eye. Make the start of your video irresistible with a hook that's a question, a fun fact, or a stunning visual. What’s going to make them stop scrolling and watch? Find that magic and use it. 

4. Keep It Short and Focused

In a sea of endless content, keeping your video short can help you stand out. Aim for punchy, concise content that makes your point fast—think under 1.5 minutes for platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok where quick hits win the day. 

5. Ensure High-Quality Production

Big budget or not, your video needs to look and sound crisp. Clear audio, sharp visuals, and bright captions for silent viewers make all the difference. A polished look can mean the difference between a one-time view and a share that takes your video viral. 

6. Plan for Virality

Dream big! To give your video a shot at going viral, tune into what clicks universally—whether it's humor, a pinch of controversy, or those raw, relatable moments. Ride the wave of trending topics or timeless truths that resonate far and wide. Don't forget to nudge your viewers to engage, share, and discuss with direct calls to action. 

7. Optimize for SEO and Algorithm

Make sure your video is easy for both people and algorithms to find. Sprinkle relevant keywords, tags, and meaty descriptions throughout your content. Get savvy with how different platforms rank content and tweak your videos to suit each one, boosting your chances of being seen. 

8. Engage with Your Audience

Ultimately, it’s all about connection! Encourage your viewers to interact—ask questions, comment, or share. Make a point to respond; it builds community and keeps the conversation going, making viewers come back for more. 

9. Leverage Social Media

Distribute your video across all your social media platforms to maximize reach. Say, you’ve created a video for Instagram. Re-upload it to your other channels, such as TikTok and YouTube. Tailor your message to fit each platform’s style and encourage your followers to send it further into the world. Cross-posting can significantly amplify your reach. 

10. Collaborate with Influencers

Partnering with influencers can help your video reach a larger, often more engaged audience. To effectively collaborate with influencers, identify individuals whose brand aligns closely with your video’s theme and audience.

Start by researching influencers who engage with similar content and have a loyal following. Reach out with a personalized pitch explaining why a partnership would be mutually beneficial. Ensure the collaboration feels authentic; perhaps the influencer can add their unique touch to the content, making it more engaging for both your audiences. 

11. Utilize Paid Promotion

Don’t shy away from paid promotions, especially when launching new content. Pinpoint the platforms where your video might shine brightest and use targeted ads to draw in the right crowd. Start small with your budget, scale based on what works, and keep a close eye on what the data tells you to refine your approach.

Consider different ad formats and placements to see what works best for your content type. Experiment with small budgets, scale up your spending on ads that perform well, and continually analyze the performance data to refine your strategy.

Again, following these eleven steps doesn’t guarantee virality, but they do boost your chances. So, adopt this methodical approach to creating all your video content.

How to make a video go viral? By better understanding the factors that make a clip more engaging and shareable. Here are eight critical elements of a viral video. 

1. Content Quality

Quality is more than just having high-resolution 4K videos. It’s about delivering real value that resonates with your audience. Your content should be well-researched, well-presented, and aligned with viewers' expectations—whether it’s humorous or educational. High-quality content is more likely to be recommended by algorithms and shared by viewers. 

2. Video Length

The optimal length varies by platform. For instance, short-form videos work best on TikTok and Instagram, while YouTube might favor slightly longer content that engages viewers for more extended periods. Tailor the length of your video to fit the platform and the viewing habits of your target audience. 

3. Title and Thumbnail

These are your first impressions—make them count. A compelling title and an eye-catching thumbnail can significantly increase click-through rates. Use clear, engaging titles that include relevant keywords, and design thumbnails that stand out visually. 

4. Platform Algorithms

Each social media platform has its unique algorithm that affects how videos are distributed. Familiarize yourself with these algorithms by staying updated on changes and understanding what type of content gets prioritized. 

5. Promotion and Sharing

Encourage sharing by making your content relatable and easy to engage with. Also, utilize your networks to promote your video through social media, email newsletters, and other channels to give it that all-important initial push. 

6. Engagement Metrics

Engagement metrics are crucial indicators used by algorithms to assess the popularity and relevance of a video. Here’s a breakdown of the key metrics:

• View Count: How many times the video has been watched. This is the most basic measure of a video's reach. 
• Watch Time: The total amount of time viewers have spent watching your video. Longer watch times signal to platforms that the content is engaging, which can boost its visibility. 
• Likes and Reactions: These are immediate indicators of viewer approval. High numbers typically correlate with higher engagement. 
• Comments: Active comment sections indicate strong viewer engagement and can trigger discussions, further promoting the video. 
• Shares: When viewers share your video, it not only extends its reach but also signals to platforms that the content is worth spreading. 
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who click on your video after seeing the thumbnail and title. High CTRs indicate compelling visuals and titles. 
• Engagement Rate: This metric combines likes, comments, and shares relative to the view count to provide an overall engagement score.

Focusing on these metrics and optimizing your content to improve them can significantly enhance your video's visibility and potential to go viral. 

7. Consistency and Frequency

Regular posting can help keep your channel active and maintain audience interest. It also increases the likelihood of your content being picked up by algorithms. 

8. Timing and Trends

Publishing your videos at the right time can make a big difference. This includes knowing when your audience is most active and being quick to jump on emerging trends. 

Looking for viral tips online to make your video content reach the masses? To elevate your video's chances of going viral, consider these tried-and-tested techniques. 

1. Research the best kinds of video formats

Different platforms favor different video formats. Understanding which formats perform best—whether it's short-form videos on TikTok or longer tutorials on YouTube—can help you tailor your content to meet platform preferences and audience expectations.

Check out your competitors’ top-performing content and learn as much as you can about your audience to tailor the right formats. 

2. Keep on top of trends

Staying ahead means keeping your finger on the pulse. Tools like Google Trends or insights from specific platforms can clue you in on what's hot, helping you craft content that's both relevant and shareable. 

3. Focus on a specific niche

Specialize to magnetize! Focusing on a particular niche not only draws in a laser-targeted audience but also sets you up as the go-to expert, boosting your content's appeal and shareability. 

4. Use keywords in your captions, hashtags, and descriptions

Sprinkle relevant keywords across your video captions, hashtags, and descriptions to boost your visibility on search engines and within platforms, making it easier for interested viewers to discover your videos. 

5. Get help from established influencers

As touched upon earlier, teaming up with influencers who resonate with your target audience can catapult your reach. Their endorsement can lend authenticity and dramatically expand your content's visibility. 

6. Create relatable content

Content that viewers find relatable is more likely to be shared. Share your experiences, tackle common issues, or touch on universal emotions to make your content strike a chord with viewers, encouraging them to share it further. 

7. Spread yourself across all platforms like Reddit, Quora etc.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your content across various platforms, including unconventional ones like Reddit or Quora, to maximize exposure and engagement. 

8. Don’t forget the music

Never underestimate the power of a good beat. Music can make or break your video's mood and shareability. Choose tunes that complement your content or tap into current musical trends to keep viewers hooked and hitting 'share'. 

Understanding some common pitfalls can significantly increase your viral video strategy's effectiveness. Be sure to avoid these seven deadly sins that can kill your hopes of going viral with your videos. 

1. Content Based on Personal Preference

Creating content solely based on what you like can fail to resonate with a broader audience. This personal bias can lead to videos that don't engage the intended viewers.

Solution: Conduct audience analysis to understand the preferences and behaviors of your target demographic. Create content that aligns with their interests and is likely to engage them based on trending topics and proven content formats. 

2. Video Optimization

Many creators overlook simple yet effective video optimization hacks that can significantly enhance visibility and engagement, such as strategically using hashtags, crafting compelling titles, or designing impactful thumbnails.

Solution: Leverage video SEO techniques like keyword-rich titles and descriptions, use visually appealing thumbnails, and incorporate relevant hashtags to improve discoverability and appeal to the algorithm. 

3. Missteps in Content Distribution

Failing to strategically distribute content can result in missed opportunities to engage with a wider audience, particularly if the distribution channels don't align with where the target audience is most active.

Solution: Develop a tailored distribution strategy that includes multiple platforms where your audience is known to be active. Customize the content format and messaging to fit the norms and expectations of each platform. 

4. Neglecting Essential Research Steps

Skipping the research phase can lead to content that is out of touch with current trends or audience needs, making it less likely to resonate or go viral.

Solution: Regularly engage in trend analysis, competitor monitoring, and audience feedback to stay current and relevant. Use these insights to inform content creation, ensuring it meets the needs and preferences of your audience. 

5. Weak Production Infrastructure

Poor video quality can detract from the viewer's experience, leading to lower engagement and shareability, no matter how good the content is.

Solution: Invest in basic but effective video equipment and editing software to enhance production quality. Focus on clear audio, stable and high-definition video, and professional editing to make your content more appealing. 

6. Lack of Personal Touch in Content

Content that lacks a personal touch or authenticity may seem generic and fail to make an emotional connection with viewers.

Solution: Infuse your content with personal stories, genuine emotions, and direct engagement with viewers. This personalization can help build a loyal community and increase viewer engagement and loyalty. 

7. Overlooking Analytics

Neglecting to monitor analytics can hinder a video's performance by failing to adapt strategies based on what the data shows works best.

Solution: Regularly review performance metrics to understand what resonates with your audience and why. Use this data to optimize future content, ensuring your videos are appealing to both viewers and algorithms.

Viral videos aren't just about getting likes—they can be real money-makers! Here's how savvy creators turn views into revenue. 

1. Ad Revenue

Maximizing ad revenue involves not just attracting views but also understanding platform-specific monetization rules. For instance, YouTube requires creators to meet certain eligibility criteria to participate in their Partner Program, which includes maintaining a minimum number of subscribers and view hours. Effective use of metadata, like tags and descriptions, also helps in aligning your content with relevant ads that pay more. 

2. Sponsorships and Partnerships

To leverage sponsorships effectively, identify brands that share a similar audience or values. Developing a professional proposal that outlines the benefits of partnering with you, such as reach and engagement statistics, can increase your credibility. Keep those partnerships warm with regular communication to keep collaborations coming. 

3. Merchandise Sales

Got a catchphrase or a memorable moment? Slap it on some merch! Tools like Teespring or Shopify handle the messy logistics so you can focus on creating cool designs and digital marketing. 

4. Crowdfunding and Donations

Platforms like Patreon let your biggest fans support you monthly for perks. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes content or exclusive merch, make sure your subscribers are getting their money’s worth. 

5. Licensing and Syndication

Licensing content can be complex, involving negotiations over terms and compensation. You might need some legal help to navigate contracts when other businesses want to use your video. It’s important to understand the value of your content and negotiate terms that respect your rights while providing fair compensation.

Making a video that everyone talks about in 2025? It’s all about mixing creativity with smart strategies and a bit of tech savvy. As we’ve seen, it’s crucial to know your audience inside out, whip up content that grabs attention, and use social media smartly to push your videos far and wide. Keep playing around with different styles and formats until you hit on something that clicks.

We’re a social media management and content marketing company that can take your online presence to the next level. Looking to up your video strategy or make your online presence bigger and bolder? That’s where we come in. We are ready to guide you through the twists and turns of content creation and social media management, making sure your videos have everything they need to go viral and make a mark.