Going Viral: Making and Distributing Online Video

Arik Abel * http://arikabel.com * @arikabel * arik.abel@gmail.com

Going ViralMaking & Distributing Online Video

Topic

Technique

Talent

Timing Tension

What types of videos are hot? Mash-ups?

Parodies? Live events? Auto-tuned music

videos?

Who is your audience?

What are they talking about?

Topic

Technique

What is happening in the world? What can

you add to that event?What is the right time

to add it?

Who is in your video? Is their audience the

same as yours?

Talent

Timing

What is the source of your disbelief, surprise, polarization?

Celebrities getting mad or surprised…

Is it real or fake…Fat guy in a little coat…

Susan Boyle…Kanye West…You love it, I hate it…

All in one take…Impossible circumstances…

Tension

produce

distribute

share

Two Types of Outbreaks: One-to-Many (Finite), Peer-2-Peer (Infinite)

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

produce :: storyboard

produce :: rule of thirds

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a

decompressorare needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

produce :: shot variety

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a

decompressorare needed to see this picture.

produce :: a-roll / b-roll

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a

decompressorare needed to see this picture.

distribute :: video-sharing sites

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressorare needed to see this picture.

distribute :: seo, keywords

share :: do it yourself

share :: help them help you

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

1. Observe what people are talking about, searching for, watching and sharing

2. Apply the Five T’s to develop an idea with viral potential

3. Follow best practices to produce, distribute and share your content

4. Inspire others to produce, distribute and share their own related content

5. Repeat ad infinitum

Review

• What info do you want more of• What info do you want less of• What was the most fun part• What was the least fun part• How was the flow/length?• Would others prefer weekend or

weekday?• How much should people pay for this?