One viral moment can shatter the status quo in a single day. Ordinary individuals become household names, and garage startups transform into industry giants. For businesses, going viral delivers hundreds of thousands of leads, rapid social media growth, and major media coverage. This chain reaction can ignite exponential growth that lasts months or even years.
Video content is especially powerful, with people twice as likely to share videos over any other type of content. But with the digital marketing space becoming increasingly saturated, how can you create content that stands out, stops viewers from scrolling, and encourages them to share?
At Road9 Media, one of Egypt's premier digital marketing agencies, we've studied the science of viral content. After analyzing some of the world’s most captivating marketing videos, we've identified the key elements that capture attention and inspire sharing. Here are our top ten tips to make your brand's video go viral.
Tip #1: People Don't Share Ads; They Share Helpful Content
Nobody enjoys being sold to, but everyone appreciates a good life hack. The key to viral marketing isn't pushing your product—it's solving real-life problems and adding genuine value to your audience's lives. People who view your videos and find them helpful will want others to benefit from them as well, leading to more shares. It's a win-win that builds visibility and trust not just for your business but for the people sharing it, too!
When creating your marketing video, find the unique perspectives in your brand that go beyond surface-level features. What insider knowledge can you share that your audience won't find elsewhere?
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Create short video tutorials that demonstrate how your product solves common problems.
- Develop life hack videos that provide value in your business niche, even if they don't directly promote your product.
- Share expert insights and industry secrets that your audience would eagerly pass along to others.
As a leading digital marketing agency in Egypt, Road9 Media specializes in video editing and production that transforms your expertise into compelling, shareable content.
Tip #2: Subvert Expectations in a Desensitized Society
Scrolling through an overly saturated social media feed has become so routine that most content blends into a forgettable background. Videos that go viral manage to stop users from scrolling on autopilot by presenting something shocking or thought-provoking.
The most memorable marketing videos were not created by playing it safe but by reinventing how content could look, sound, and feel. People share these videos to stir up conversations about what they just saw or express their disbelief.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Explain complex industry concepts through unexpected analogies or parodies.
- Present information about your business through shocking industry statistics.
- Include unexpected endings that challenge viewers' assumptions and make them want to rewatch.
- Remember, shock value isn't about being offensive—it's about being memorably different.
Stay ahead with the latest digital marketing trends to create standout content that breaks through the noise.
Tip #3: People Like to Root for The Underdog
People love a story they can relate to, and everyone can relate to hardships and struggles. Circling back to Tip #2, science also tells us that people get more joy out of winning unexpectedly; they get a lot of happiness from witnessing the underdog succeed.
Every business has moments of challenge, perseverance, and breakthrough. With compelling brand storytelling, your brand's journey can become powerful content that resonates with viewers and inspires them to share.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Create narratives with characters or scenarios that your target audience can relate to.
- Build your brand story with a clear beginning, middle, and end to make your content more engaging.
- Highlight struggles your audience can identify with, such as work-life balance or adapting to change.
Tip #4: Right Place, Right Time, Right Data
Coming up with great content for your marketing video is only half the battle. The other half? Making sure it reaches the right audience at the perfect moment. Even the most compelling ad will struggle to perform if posted on the wrong platform or at the wrong time.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Research your audience's online behavior patterns.
- Use strategic hashtags and trending audio that align with your niche.
- Track your performance metrics, such as watch time and engagement rates, to refine your strategy.
- Learn from your successes and mishaps: Analyze your top-performing videos to identify what resonated with your audience and why.
Avoid these costly social media mistakes that could limit your reach.
Tip #5: Keep It Simple
Overloading your audience with information can lead to disengagement. People usually turn to social media for entertainment and quick insights; they don't want to decipher complicated messages.
Easy-to-digest, shorter content means viewers are more likely to watch until the end, increasing your average watch time. Higher watch times signal to social media algorithms that your marketing video is engaging, pushing it to wider audiences and increasing the chances of it going viral. Remember: social media platforms prioritize videos that keep viewers watching!
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Keep your videos under 90 seconds.
- Focus on one core message or takeaway per video.
- Use simple, conversational language that everyone can understand.
- For more complex topics, consider creating a series of shorter videos.
Tip #6: Hook Viewers in Three Seconds
Attention is the most valuable currency in digital marketing. Over 90% of people skip video ads in five seconds, which means you only have three seconds to prevent your viewer from scrolling past your content.
Your opening needs to be impossible to ignore. Start with a provocative question that challenges conventional thinking, use an unexpected visual that defies industry norms, or present a shocking (but relevant) statistic. Quality matters, too - poor audio or video quality can make viewers click away before your message even starts.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Open with an intriguing teaser that promises a valuable payoff.
- Start with your most visually striking or surprising moment.
- Ensure clear audio and good visuals from the first frame.
Working with experienced ad campaign copywriters can help you craft hooks that stop thumbs mid-scroll.
Tip #7: Have A Conversation With Your Audience
Virality isn't just about view counts—it's about creating content people want to discuss and share. The best marketing videos turn viewers into active participants rather than passive consumers. Create content that feels like the beginning of a dialogue rather than a monologue.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Ask thought-provoking questions that spark discussions in your comments.
- Encourage viewers to share their own experiences, opinions, and feedback.
- Design challenges or competitions that invite users to participate.
- Follow up on comments and create response videos to build community.
As a leading digital marketing agency in Egypt, Road9 Media specializes in social media brand management that builds genuine connections.
Tip #8: Make the Video Click-Worthy
Users scroll past countless viral videos daily, often due to uninspiring thumbnails or titles. But there's one thing people can't resist: the fear of missing out (FOMO). The thumbnail and title are your marketing video’s first line of defense against endless scrolling.
90% of YouTube’s top-performing videos succeed with custom thumbnails. Your thumbnail is like a movie poster—it needs to tell a story, create intrigue, and promise value in a single glance. Your video title should make viewers think, "I need to know what happens next."
Since many social media apps play videos on mute by default, your visual elements need to work extra hard to capture your audience’s attention.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Use creative titles that balance curiosity with clarity.
- Design thumbnails that stand out without being misleading.
- Ensure your content delivers on its visual promises.
- Test different thumbnail and title combinations to find what works best.
Tip #9: Partner Up For Maximum Impact
Take Volvo’s The Epic Split ad with Jean-Claude Van Damme: the stunt was jaw-dropping, the message was clear, and the visuals flawless. But what really made it unforgettable was the star power. Strategic partnerships can turn great content into viral sensations.
Of course, not every business can afford to hire A-list celebrities for its marketing. But by collaborating with influencers or running tailored ads, you can expand your audience and significantly boost your chances of going viral.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Invest in targeted social media advertising to reach your ideal audience.
- Partner with relevant influencers who share your values.
- Cross-promote across multiple platforms strategically.
Understanding how to use different types of content on social media platforms is essential knowledge for going viral. Make sure to cover your bases with our Ultimate Guide.
Tip #10: Make Your Video Inclusive And Accessible
Going viral means reaching everyone. Accessibility isn't just an ethical consideration—it is smart marketing that expands your potential audience. Your goal in virality is to ensure that no potential viewer is left behind, after all.
Road9 Media Recommends:
- Add clear subtitles and captions for silent viewing and hearing-impaired audiences.
- Optimize for all devices with appropriate aspect ratios.
- Include descriptive voiceovers where appropriate.
- Consider cultural sensitivities and local context.
Turning Virality into Lasting Success
While going viral is thrilling, the real success lies in building a loyal audience. At Road9 Media, one of Egypt’s leading digital marketing agencies, we specialize in creating digital experiences that not only grab attention but build lasting connections with your audience.
Ready to turn your video content into the next viral sensation? Reach out to Road9 Media, your trusted partner in digital marketing, and together, we'll create content that people can’t help but share.
