The Art and Risk of Going Viral: A Creatively Fun Wedding Video Becomes a Sensation. And More.
What a refreshing and fun wedding video, coming out of St. Paul, MN.
After just five days on YouTube, it's racked up 1.6 million views, becoming a YouTube viral sensation. Since I learned about the video on Twitter this morning, it's picked up 300,000 views in five hours. Between circulating around Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other sites, the clicks and link passing are rapidly in motion.
Blogger Seth Simonds thinks this video's days are numbered because of licensing issues related to the use of the song, but as I write this, the wedding video is still fueling a sensation. You can read Seth's thoughts here: Check Out This Video While It's Still on YouTube! [The Wedding Dance]
Now watch for yourself...
Every so often I hear someone ask how to make something go viral, whether a video, or a blog post, etc? And the trick is clear. Do something fresh, daring and exciting, and if the timing and content are just right, word of mouth and mass interest will get it where it needs to go. But remember, the bigger the viral sensation, the bigger the risk. Sometimes, what goes up, must come down.
Here are examples of other videos that have gone massively viral, and remember what I said about "sometimes, what goes up, must come down":
1.) Remember the Evian babies commerical? In just three weeks, the video now has 7 million views.
2.) Who could forget Susan Boyle's launch into global stardom? Her famous appearance on Britain's Got Talent now has 71.7 million views on YouTube. But at what price?
3.) Speaking of amazing singers, did you ever see Paul Potts in action on Britain's Got Talent? This 2007 video now has 55 million views.
4.) I'll spare you the Chris Crocker video link for "Leave Britney Alone" which now has 26 million views. But still love the Crocker quote: "All you people want is more, more, more, more, more!" Once again, fun quote aside, at what price?
5.) But the king of viral videos (as I know it) is this 2007 YouTube video Evolution of Dance featuring Judson Laipply. His video now has 123 million views. This is way fun if you haven't seen it.
Clearly in this day and age, to go viral, all one needs is a simple video camera, some charisma, and a good to great idea.
I've only begun to touch the video world, and will be stepping further into this medium soon.
If going viral is your video dream someday, I wish you all the best... But remember.. What goes up, well, you know...
