Viral Videos are Fun!

The best viral videos appeal to the emotions of a wide audience. They are usually humorous, and contain content that many people can relate to, or identify with. A good viral video is easily accessible on the web and can be found in more than one location.

Advantages

• They are viewed by many people which can increase brand awareness
  
• They can be used as teaching or instructing aids to reinforce products and inform audiences
  
• Viral videos can be used as free advertising, since there is
  no cost to post them on the internet
  

Disadvantages

• Individuals can create viral videos that can negatively impact products, brands, companies or other individuals
  
• Sometimes viral videos feature copyrighted material which can create legal implications
  
• Posting a video with the intent that it will go viral is a gamble and doesn't always happen unless there is a strategic plan in place
  

Because viral videos are viewed millions of times they can be used to increase brand awareness. Many viral videos contain no overt branding so viewers don't realize they are being sold anything. They are meant to appeal to a target audience with certain values. Viral videos are effective PR tools because they focus less on selling a product, and more on promoting an idea, concept, atmosphere or lifestyle related to the product or brand. The main point of a viral video is to directly relate to the public, and that is what makes them so effective.

I really love T Mobile's Dance video because there are so many different genres of music; it has the potential to appeal to many people. It's also funny because the bystanders seem shocked and confused when the dancers break out. Eventually everyone gets involved and has a great time.

This video was successful because it was probably shared by bystanders the moment the music and dancers started. The use of multiple music genres add to the mass appeal and help to create a flash mob.

In order for a video to go "viral" it must be kept short. If the video is too long, no one will watch the whole thing. Staying away from overt branding is also important to help a video go viral. Most people find commercials/ads annoying so they won't want to share it. The last tactic I would use to make a video go viral is having more than one video to release. If viewers enjoyed the first video, they will want to see more. Having more than one video to release is a way to keep people interested.

Here is a list of the best viral videos of 2009, I dare you to watch them and not laugh or cry!