As a content creator, you see many videos going viral, hitting millions of views within a short while and wonder what they are doing right.
How are they hitting these figures? Is there a secret you must be missing? You’re not alone. Many creators like yourself not getting their desired results often wonder the same.
The difference is you’re here right now about to learn the not so secret strategy and they’re not. You’re ahead of the competition by just being here.
The thing is that most creators that go viral often do so by chance and cannot articulate the steps they took.
However, as professionals in the industry and having helped create many viral content, we know the strategies and are willing to share them with you right now only if you stick around.
Ready to learn the steps to going viral with your videos? Let’s go!
Want to take your videos to the next level?
Understanding Virality
Virality isn’t just about numbers; it’s about sparking something so captivating that people can’t help but share it.
Think of the last video you sent to a friend—maybe it made you laugh uncontrollably, struck an emotional chord, or simply felt too relatable not to share.
That’s the essence of virality: Creating a ripple effect where one share turns into ten, then a hundred, and before you know it, your content has traveled across the globe.
At its core, going viral is about hitting the sweet spot between psychology and timing. People share content for a reason—whether it’s to feel connected, appear knowledgeable, or entertain their circle.
Take emotional triggers, for instance. Content that inspires, shocks, or makes people laugh out loud often performs exceptionally well. Why? Because emotions drive actions.
Similarly, relatability plays a massive role. A video that mirrors a common experience or pokes fun at everyday life instantly creates a connection—and connections are shareable gold.
Lastly, timing is everything. Riding the wave of a trending topic or challenge can catapult your video into virality faster than you’d imagine.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Video Go Viral
Every creator wants viral videos but wants are wants. However actually achieving takes a little bit more effort plus it gets better as you master the process. Here is a tried and trusted guide to making your video go viral on any platform:
1. Research Your Audience
The first thing you should do? Know your audience. Who are you making the video for? Who will typically watch your content?
Start by knowing your audience persona through your type of content. Their demographic, which platform they hangout the most,and their language can also help you create viral videos.
2. Choose the Right Platform
YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or something else? It depends on your content. You need to figure out where your audience likes. You create buzzy short contents for gen Zs? TikTok may be your best short. What about posh lifestyle content? Your audience will most likely be on Instagram.
You see where we are going with this, right? You need to research your audience and the right platform to use. The goal is to create content where you have the largest possible audience.
This is not about the number of followers or subscribers but about where your typical viewer will be.
3. Brainstorm Unique Ideas
With content type, audience and platform in mind, it is time to brainstorm creative ideas. If you want to go viral, your content must be top-notch. It has to capture and hold attention.
Let your creativity out and combine it with trends to unlike the kind of content that can easily go viral. You can utilize tools to find content ideas on YouTube, among other platforms.
4. Focus on Storytelling
People don’t just watch videos—they experience them. A great story keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.
Whether it’s a funny skit, an emotional moment, or a surprising twist, a well-crafted narrative makes your video unforgettable.
Stories always sell and you can hardly go wrong with a great story. Which is why your focus when creating content you want to go viral should be on storytelling.
5. Leverage Trends and Challenges
Jumping on trends is one of the fastest ways to get your content noticed. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts thrive on viral challenges, trending audio, and popular memes.
Always check TikTok’s trending section, YouTube’s explore section and Instagram Reels to stay updated. You also need to act fast as trends change quickly.
6. Optimize for Engagement
A video doesn’t just go viral because people watch it—it goes viral because they interact with it. The more engagement your video gets, the more platforms push it to new audiences.
Always use captions and text overlays, reply to comments, ask for likes and shares and use the appropriate hashtags. However, there is a thin line between doing these right and being annoying so make sure to add them in organically.
Key Elements of a Viral Video
Not all videos are created equal. Some barely get a few views, while others explode overnight. So, what makes a video go viral? It boils down to a few key ingredients that consistently drive engagement and shareability.
1. A Strong Hook (First 3 Seconds Matter!)
People scroll fast. If your video doesn’t grab attention within the first three seconds, they’re gone. Viral videos hook viewers instantly—whether it’s with a shocking statement, a compelling question, or an eye-catching visual.
Think about MrBeast’s videos: They start with instant action or a bold promise. That’s what keeps people watching.
2. Relatability: The “That’s So Me” Effect
Ever watched a video and thought, “OMG, this is literally my life”? That’s the power of relatability.
People love content that reflects their everyday experiences, whether it’s the struggles of waking up early, awkward social encounters, or funny work-from-home moments. When viewers see themselves in your video, they’re more likely to engage and share.
3. Emotional Impact: Make Them Feel Something
Virality thrives on emotions. Whether it’s humor, inspiration, nostalgia, or even anger, the strongest viral videos evoke a reaction.
Think of the last heartwarming reunion video or a hilarious skit that had you in tears—it’s because emotions drive shares. If your content sparks a strong feeling, people will want others to experience it too.
4. High-Quality Production (Even on a Budget!)
While some viral videos are spontaneous and raw, good production values can significantly boost your chances.
Clear visuals, crisp audio, and smooth editing make your content more enjoyable and professional. But don’t overcomplicate things—sometimes, an iPhone and good lighting are all you need.
5. A Clear Message or Storyline
A video that goes viral usually has a simple, engaging message. Whether it’s a quick joke, a compelling challenge, or an inspiring lesson, the audience should instantly understand the point of your video.
Long, drawn-out content that doesn’t get to the point quickly tends to lose viewers.
6. Trending Topics and Sounds
Jumping on trends is one of the fastest ways to get your video seen by millions. Trending challenges, viral audio clips, and current events already have built-in audiences searching for related content.
If you can creatively put your spin on a trending topic, you significantly increase your chances of virality.
7. A Strong Call-to-Action (Encouraging Shares & Engagement)
Sometimes, people just need a little nudge. Adding a call-to-action (CTA) like “Tag a friend who needs to see this!” or “Share this if you agree!” can encourage more interactions.
The more people engage, the more the algorithm pushes your video to new viewers.
Final Thought
A viral video isn’t always planned, but when you mix attention-grabbing hooks, relatability, emotions, and strong storytelling, you drastically increase your chances.
The key is to create content that people genuinely want to watch, engage and share. And then sprinkle in the right timing on the right platform to get your videos to millions of views within a short while.
All these boils down to getting the editing. That hook, that transition, the trending sound? They all need to be perfect.
You may be better off leaving all the editing to professionals like Your video Editor so you can focus on coming up with viral-worthy content ideas and production.
