1.) Celebrity *Shocking* Footage
Actually, it doesn’t even have to be shocking. Anything involving celebrities instantly seems to gain traction and attention. This virus would more aptly be called the “Piggy Back”. Riding the coattails of someone else’s success. You could also call it “Name dropping”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people drop names that have nothing to do with them, just to get attention.
Heck, I’ve done it. I saw someone yesterday say “I worked at Google. Buy my PPC course”. Little do they want you to know that their job at Google had nothing to do with PPC or anything of that nature, but by dropping the “google” name into their headline, it got attention. Here’s an example screen shot. I just typed in “Justin Bieber”…Look at this!

All 3 of those videos have over 27 MILLION views, and all 3 are simple videos. The first one is just a random picture with audio. The second is a home video of a girl crying, and the last is a screen capture of text, with lyrics to a song….Uh, think you could do better? I’m sure. Find the the celebrity in your market, find a way to tie them into your promotions, and you’ll get more attention, more traffic, and probably more sales.

#2. Funny Puns & Parodies

By the end of today, this video will cross 2 million views in under 72 hours. WHO CAN YOU MAKE FUN OF IN YOUR MARKET? That’s the question to ask. The above video uses #1, #2, and several others we’ll take about as this post goes on…but think about the massive amount of traffic that is represented by 2 million views in 3 days….That’s sick!

#3. Controversy!

This is one of the most powerful “viruses” you can inject into your marketing to get more clicks, and immediate attention. If done well, controversial stuff cannot help but go viral. Everyone has an opinion, about everything. Politics, religion, music, movies, tv shows, morality, celebrities, sports etc..Find an argument, pick a side, and make a bold affirmation in favor of your side. The opposition will hate your guts (which is GREAT for traffic’s sake), and your fans will be committed RAVING fans. Here’s an example of a controversial video to prove the point:

It’s not the views I want you to notice in this video. It’s the number of opinions shared on it. Look at all those likes and dislikes! If I scroll a little further down, you can see the number of comments, which is a huge indicator that this subject stirs emotions, and gets attention. It’s one of the most controversial topics of our time, and no matter what side of the debate you fall in, you have to admit the person who is brave enough to talk about it, will get the attention (and they have more likes than dislikes, because their fans share it with other like minded people). Check out how many comments are on this video…

 

#4. Curiosity

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you see that title? “Why the heck is she crying? I bet this is horrible. I gotta see it!” Sounds terrible, right? But it’s exactly what you thought. You, and over 31 Million other people. It’s the cliffhanger. “What will I look like after I see this video?” It’s a great tool to use in headlines, email subject lines, and banner ads or anything that you need someone to click on to consume your sales message. Curiosity gets the
job done!

#5. Causes

The video that inspired this very report your reading. Are you freakin kidding me? 84 MILLION 2 weeks after it came out. It’s slowed majorly, since it now only has 95 Million several months after the above screen shot…but that’s only because everyone in the world has already seen the video! Given, the creaters of this video did a lot more than just create a cause. They used about
half of the elements I am giving you in this blog post in one video. It’s beautiful, from a viral marketing stand point. If you watch the whole video, you’ll learn a lot you can apply to your own marketing. The part about basically annoying the heck out of the top 20 celebrities via twitter was genius…The army created an even bigger army by forcing those celebrities to share. This video also gave young people a chance to feel like they could do something. Regardless of the aftermath that we now know about this video…You have to admit, it’s a viral work of art…And the heart of it, a CAUSE. There’s hardly anything as powerful as a cause. Unite your audience, and they’ll move mountains for you.

#6. Recommended Content

I have no screenshot for this, but it must be mentioned in a list of things that get attention, clicks, and go viral. I cannot tell you the number of stupid videos and websites I’ve visited, that I otherwise wouldn’t have ever thought to, because someone I know, like, or trust recommended it.

You should give your visitors the chance to recommend your content at every point you can. It’s the only true “free” traffic source…And it also happens to be the highest converting! How do you do this? Well, lots of ways, but the main way to do it is by using incentives. People sharing stuff is what makes something viral…So in essence, everything on this list can cause someone to share something….But when in need, use incentives. Reward visitors for sharing your content with freebies, money, gifts, whatever you can. A lot of them will! freebies, money, gifts, whatever you can.

#7. Really Well Done Content

 

 

This one is probably the biggest stumbling block to most people, but it actually takes the least effort of anything on this list. The good news is, I’ve already shown you that poorly crafted videos can get millions of visitors because of other things…But it’s actually a lot easier to just make a really good, impressive piece of content, than it is to use one of these other strategies and then try to tie it back into your marketing message…It could be the most bland, non
controversial, non curios, non sexy, random thing…And yet it can get MILLIONS of views if it’s simply done well. Check out the current view count: Sebastians Voodoo.

So if marketing isn’t your forte…But you’re good with video, that alone can go along way towards getting attention and going viral.

But I bring this up for another reason. The REALLY BIG promotions are always dressed to the 9’s. Anything you see in the IM niche that does a 7 figure launch is looking pretty amazing…So I tend to say that if you dress for success, it helps your chances as it pertains to packaging your offer. Make it look great! (If you can).

#8. Inspirational Stuff

At the time I’m writing this report, this video has over 10 million views. Embedding has been disabled so you’ll have to click the link. Notice something about it? The channel owner that uploaded it didn’t make a single piece of this content. It’s a compilation of inspirational speeches…all sports related. Probably took him less than an hour to make. Don’t feel inspirational? That’s ok…Other people already have been. Find a way to work their stuff into your sales message. Inspiration goes a long way towards getting people to take
action and share content.

#9. Bad News

This is a biggie. You may have heard famous copywriters like Frank Kern say this very phrase “Bad News” is one of the best email subject lines they’ve ever used. It’s the car wreck effect. You can’t help but look. Why is there no good news on the news? They broadcast 24/7 nowadays. You would think there would be some good news from time to time. But why isn’t there? Because bad news gets ratings. And YouTube views too:

#10. Incredible Free Things – Contests Work

 

Here’s a great example of this: A $900 Lightsabre Giveaway. It’s not really a lightsabre obviously. But it’s still a really awesome free thing! And the contest element made it go even bigger. This dude got almost 2 million views on this video, and the contest has long since been over.

Contests are great ways to build lists. Any free thing is a great way to build a list. Lists of email subscribers, YouTube subscribers, Facebook Fans, you name it. If it’s free…People will usually spread the word.

Tip: Don’t just give the free thing away to one person. Give EVERY PERSON that shares your content a free thing, and then an even better free thing if they win.

#11. Fear

I actually love this viral factor. Because it works so easily, and it can move HERDS of people. It’s what Glenn Beck is famous for. He sells fear. Go to his website and take a look at what he’s monetizing it with. Ads for “emergency survival packs”, and “gold bars”. He keeps his listeners in a constant state of fear. A doomsday perspective that not only captivates the audience,
but moves them to take massive action! It’s not enough just to get people’s attention…you want them to do something, don’t you? Well, an element of fear will go a long way towards accomplishing that goal. I’m not saying it’s right, I’m just reporting the facts. Don’t shoot the messenger. But seriously, take a look at how big fear is:

#12. Warnings of Imminent Danger

The above example works here too, but warnings of imminent danger is a more specific form of fear. Fear can be more broad. Paranoid would be a better way to describe the person in #11 above. The above fear is more based on theory, not fact. It can be cult like…Warnings of Imminent Danger on the other hand, are specific, potentially very real threats.

Content about these types of things always gets attention because people know if they don’t listen it could mean some sort of harm to them.

Any number of examples could be used here, but instead of grabbing a clip, I’ll state the obvious: Severe weather, Nuclear war, Terrorist threat levels, Global collapse…..Etc…

Tie this one in with a “cause”…and you have a winner.

#13. Impossible Claims

Ha ha…This has to be one of my favorites. It works so well because people check out the content because they don’t believe it and have to prove you wrong, so they click whatever your advertising (video, article, banner, whatever). If you can deliver, EVEN BETTER.

#14. Embarrassing Stuff About Others

Especially celebrities! But it’s more so about the embarrassment level than it is the individual.

American Idol was at one point the most watched TV show in the history of the world. Ratings that rival the Super Bowl. And you know what built it? Making fun of people like this. It wasn’t really the great performances that got this show off the ground in the beginning. It was the rejects that people loved like William Hung! lol. It’s cruel, but you gotta find a way to shine the
white hot light of shame on others. Tip: Juxtapose someone who didn’t use your product with embarrassment. This creates motivational fear in the best sense. “Nobody wants to be like these American Idol losers do they? Well, that’s exactly why you should buy my new singing lessons!” Get my drift?

#15. Challenges

The best thing you can do to get masses of people’s attention, is to tell them all they can’t do something. Challenge them. I LOVE this example:

 

2.3 Million views later, he’s got a lot more subscribers! (I swear I’m going to beat you Freddie!)…I’ve personally watched this video 6 times. Because I’m a pretty fast typist, and I was determined to beat him…Alas…I only made it to “Mavis Deacon” status. lol.

 

#16. Pranks

This video with 11 Million views is just one of thousands of prank videos with the same view counts. All of us like to be “in on it”. And you know what, I have no creative advice to offer to work this into your marketing, but I’m sure you’ll think of something. lol…I had to put it in the report because there’s no denying a good pranks ability to grab attention.
#17. Hacks, Tricks, & Easy Work Arounds

Hacks aren’t always “hacks”…Though the two in the above screen shot are actually pretty cool. The word “hack” is a buzz word you just can’t avoid. I COULD have said “25 Mind Hacks To Force Your Content To Go Viral” when I wrote this blog post…But any kind of trick, or workaround, can be accurately called a “Hack”, and people love that stuff. It’s much better than a “secret”. A secret is a lame word for “I can’t think of something as cool as a ‘Hack’”.

#18. Top 10 Lists

There’s far too many good examples to choose just one from YouTube, but all good top 10 lists get loved and shared. Work them into your product’s copy, but also into the product itself! Top 10 is a great way to get attention primarily because people want to see what #1 is going to be. Each item in the list builds anticipation.

How about instead of a “review” site, you do a top 10 site! Instead of “weight loss review blog”, make it “top 10 weight loss hacks”. And you guessed it…#1 is the product you’re promoting =).

#19. Cartoons With Dubbed Voices

Having trouble getting people to listen to your message? Have a cartoon say it instead! This one takes a little video editing (and tip toeing copyright laws) but people LOVE it. Doesn’t have to be a cartoon either. Seen those talking baby etrade commercials? Exactly…The baby is just talking about how incredible etrade is like a normal boring adult would, except its not boring because it’s a baby!

Ask yourself the question, WHO would make my message more appealing…The solution isn’t always “what” to change, but rather sometimes it’s WHO to change.

#20. Offense Stuff

If you’ve been around the internet marketing scene for any length of time, you have probably heard of the Rich Jerk. That business’ marketing was in a class of it’s own.  The site is might be down, but to give you an idea of how he operated…Every email addressed the subscribers as “Dear Loser”.

I’ve noticed the same trend on YouTube. Offensive stuff gets attention on any platform.

#21. “Cute Things”

If my wife makes me watch another laughing baby, or clumsy kitten video, I might barf. But, women especially, LOVE that kind of thing. They eat it up. Heck, the talking baby example above uses this too.

It’s one of those things you can’t NOT look at. Banner ads, facebook ads, …Any ideas clicking?

#22. World Record Claims

You know what a boring headline is?

“We’ll skyrocket your website to the first page of Google” – Lame. Boring. Everyone else says the same thing.

You know what an exciting headline is?

“New Speed Ranking World Record. #1 In Google In 30 Minutes”

Do you smell what I’m steppin in? USE THIS ONE. It’s powerful.

#23. People Getting “Owned”.

We love to congratulate those who achieve epic victories. But we love even more to rub salt in the wound of someone that failed. Geeeze…I didn’t realize how depressing my findings were until I sat down to write this blog post! lol.

But it’s true. Classic “Us VS Them”, “Hometown Boy Makes Good” story lines can be modernized with 3 words: “Owned”, “Fail” , “Win”. Lets see what I can come up with off the top of my head for say…Fitness.

“Bob & Jillian get owned by Biggest Loser Reject”

Sound like a story you wanna read?

#24. Fights

You know, it’s a sick world we live in. lol But here I am again pointing out one of our “best qualities”. It’s harder to find a video of people fist fighting with less than 100k views than it is to find one with a million or more. Ever heard of “Kimbo Slice”? He made his millions recording videos of himself destroying people in street fights in the neighborhoods of Miami. He’s now in the UFC. My main tips in pointing this out boil down to two opportunities. The first is specific…GET INTO THE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS NICHE. Those people are passionate about their sport.

The second tip…Creating a fight between you and another brand is a possibility here. Especially if you’re in a competitive market…It just gives you more ammunition for controversial videos.

Awhile back Kelly Felix & Mike Long from Bring The Fresh were actually building sites FOR their affiliates, if they would just buy a competitorvsBringTheFresh.com domain name. Because they wanted to rank
for all their competitors names, and have a comparison site up on it. Pretty slick marketing…But when it boils down to it, it’s a game of dominance, and everyone loves to watch a good fight…Case in point:

#25. Anything “How To”

At the heart of it, YouTube is a search engine. The #2 search engine in the world, behind Google (it’s owner). “How To” is probably one of the top 10 most searched for phrases on the internet. And that’s twice as true for YouTube, because all the content is video based, and people tend to learn better with visual examples.

I just typed in “How To” into YouTube, and here’s a screenshot of what came up….

So, the real key with getting “how to” content to go viral, get attention, clicks, and views…Is you need to teach something people are actually interested in!
Be helpful, original, and unique. How to videos that teach us how to do things we didn’t even know we wanted to do are the best.

In Closing these viral elements can make everything you do online better. If you plan to use video, I highly recommend the following:

- Easy Video Player makes using video a lot easier. It makes Amazaon S3 a lot easier to use, which is way more flexible than hosting on YouTube, and it lets you embed opt in forms and affiliate links INSIDE your videos. It also provides tracking on plays and that kind of thing…All the “marketing” juice you need to get the most out of video on your sites.

Lastly, if you liked this post, please share it! Who knows, maybe it’ll even go viral! Thanks for checking out my list of the top 25 ways to go viral. Perhaps you will be the next internet sensation after integrating one or more of the above strategies into your marketing efforts.