How to Make a Viral Video in 2024

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Ever wonder what makes a video truly viral? It's not just about getting lucky. It’s about triggering a powerful emotional reaction—like pure joy, genuine surprise, or laugh-out-loud humor—that makes people hit the "share" button almost reflexively. You have to move beyond just making videos and start engineering content that’s practically built to be shared.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what that actually means.

Decoding the DNA of a Viral Video

Going viral is rarely a happy accident. Sure, a random cat video might capture the internet’s heart for a day, but the creators who consistently strike gold know something others don't: virality is a science. It’s a carefully measured mix of human psychology, punchy storytelling, and perfect timing.

At its core, every viral hit plugs into a universal human emotion or experience. People share content that makes them feel something. Whether it’s the belly laugh from a perfectly timed prank, the awe from a drone shot of a place they've never seen, or the warmth from a touching reunion, emotion is the currency of the internet.

This is why "know your audience" isn't just fluffy marketing advice—it's everything. What makes them tick? What surprises them? What do they care about? Your first job is to tap into those emotional hotspots.

The Make-or-Break First Three Seconds

In an endless sea of content, you get three seconds. That's it. Your opening is your one and only shot to stop a thumb from scrolling past. A weak start is a death sentence, even if the rest of your video is pure gold.

A killer hook can take many forms:

A bold claim: Start with a statement that makes people go, "Wait, what?"

A visual shock: Show something weird, beautiful, or just plain unexpected right away.

A relatable pain point: Kick off with a common frustration everyone in your audience has felt.

Think of it like a movie trailer condensed into a blink. It doesn't tell the whole story, but it shows just enough of the good stuff to make you want to see the rest.

Key Takeaway: The goal isn't just to be seen; it's to be felt. A video that sparks a strong emotional response is one people feel an urge to share. That impulse is the engine of virality.

This emotional factor is more important than ever. Video is completely dominating the internet—by 2025, it's expected to account for an incredible 82% of all online traffic, thanks to giants like TikTok and YouTube. With 95% of brands now saying video is a crucial part of their strategy, the fight for eyeballs is intense.

Keep the Story Simple and Shareable

After you’ve hooked them, you need a story they can follow without thinking too hard. Complex plots and muddled messages get skipped. The best viral videos have a narrative so simple it’s almost instinctual.

Most follow a basic arc: a setup, a climax, and a payoff. Think about the classic "before-and-after" format. The "before" shot is the setup, the transformation is the climax, and the stunning "after" reveal is the satisfying payoff. It just works.

This structure is effective because our brains are wired to understand it easily. When a viewer can follow along effortlessly, they're far more likely to stick around until the end—which is a huge signal to platform algorithms that your content is high-quality. If you're looking for more ways to apply this, we break down specific techniques in our guide on how to create viral videos. This approach helps shift your mindset from just hitting "record" to strategically crafting experiences people want to share.

Core Elements of Viral Content

To boil it all down, successful viral content consistently includes a few key ingredients. Focusing on these elements during your planning phase can dramatically increase your odds of success.

Element	Why It Matters	Practical Example
Strong Emotional Trigger	Emotion drives sharing. Content that makes people feel something is more memorable and compelling.	A video of a soldier returning home to surprise their family (heartwarming).
The 3-Second Hook	It's your only chance to stop the scroll. You must grab attention immediately or lose the viewer.	Starting a DIY video with the amazing final result before showing the process.
Relatability	Viewers share things that reflect their own lives, beliefs, or sense of humor. "This is so me!" is a powerful reaction.	A short skit about the struggle of trying to fold a fitted sheet.
Simple Narrative	An easy-to-follow story keeps viewers engaged and makes the message clear and shareable.	A pet mastering a new, funny trick in under 30 seconds.
Unexpected Payoff	A surprise ending, a clever twist, or a satisfying resolution makes the video worth watching and sharing.	A magic trick where the reveal is something completely unexpected and hilarious.

Ultimately, engineering virality is about being intentional. By understanding and applying these core principles, you move from hoping for a lucky break to creating content with a built-in advantage.

Your Blueprint for Viral Content Creation

Let's get one thing straight: a viral video is almost never an accident. It’s the result of a deliberate and thoughtful plan. Forget capturing lightning in a bottle. Think of it more like building a rocket ship—every single part has to be engineered perfectly to achieve liftoff. This is where you lay all the groundwork, long before you even dream of hitting the record button.

The whole thing kicks off with one simple question: who are you making this for? Without a crystal-clear audience in mind, your content is just floating in the void. Your mission is to create something that hits so hard with a specific group of people that they can't help but share it.

This means you have to get inside their heads. What are they talking about with their friends? What inside jokes make them laugh? What problems keep them up at night? When you understand these nuances, you're on your way to making something that feels like it was created just for them.

Start with Audience-First Ideation

The best ideas rarely appear out of thin air; they come from paying close attention. If you want to figure out what might go viral, you need to become a student of the platforms you're trying to conquer. Start scrolling through TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts not just as a user, but as a researcher.

Keep an eye out for recurring patterns:

Trending Sounds: What audio clips are everywhere? Hopping on a trending sound can give your content an immediate algorithmic advantage.

Popular Formats: Are "day in the life" videos, "get ready with me" routines, or specific challenges blowing up your feed?

Emerging Topics: What conversations are just starting to build momentum? Being one of the first to talk about a new topic can position you as a thought leader in that space.

Your goal here isn't to just copy what everyone else is doing. It’s about finding your unique spin. For instance, if a dance trend is taking over, how can you make it fit your niche? A fitness creator might turn the dance into a workout. A chef might do it while plating a complex dish. That blend of familiar and fresh is where the magic happens.

Don't just follow trends—filter them through your unique lens. The magic happens when you ask, "How can I make this trend mine?" This is how you stand out in a sea of lookalikes and create something truly memorable.

Even a 15-second video needs a story. It’s a solid narrative structure that separates a forgettable clip from a shareable masterpiece. Believe it or not, every viral video has a clear beginning, middle, and end, no matter how short.

Here’s a simple framework I always come back to:

The Hook (First 3 seconds): Your only job is to stop the scroll. Grab their attention immediately with a provocative question, a shocking visual, or a super relatable problem.

The Middle (Builds Tension): This is where you develop the story. Show the process, build the suspense, or introduce the conflict. Keep it snappy and fast-paced to hold onto that momentum.

The Payoff (The Climax): This is the punchline, the big reveal, or the satisfying conclusion. It's the moment that delivers that emotional punch—laughter, surprise, awe—and makes the whole video feel worth it.

Many fundamental content creation principles, whether for video or writing, are rooted in understanding your audience and telling a great story. A strong arc makes your video feel complete and gives people a reason to watch until the end—a powerful signal to any platform's algorithm.

Nail Your Pre-Production Essentials

You don’t need a Hollywood budget to create a video that looks sharp. In fact, tons of viral videos are shot on smartphones, and that raw, authentic feel is something audiences really connect with. That said, a little bit of planning goes a very long way.

Focus on getting these key things right:

Lighting: Good lighting is completely non-negotiable. Natural light from a window is your best friend. If you’re filming inside, a simple ring light can make a huge difference.

Audio: Muffled, unclear audio is an instant scroll-past. If you can, use an external mic. If not, just make sure you're filming in a quiet spot away from distracting background noise.

Location: Pick a background that adds to your story, not one that distracts from it. A clean, simple space usually works best unless the location is a key part of the narrative itself.

By creating a repeatable system for your ideas, scripts, and pre-production, you’re not just hoping for a viral hit—you’re building a factory for it. This strategic thinking will sharpen your creative instincts and seriously boost your chances of making a video people can't resist sharing.

Mastering Production and Editing for Maximum Impact

Let's be honest: a brilliant idea can fall completely flat if the execution is sloppy. In the world of social video, sharp production and even sharper editing are what separate a forgotten clip from an unforgettable one. This is where your raw concept gets its energy, turning it into something people actually want to watch and share.

You don’t need a Hollywood studio, but you do need to nail the basics. These aren’t just suggestions; they’re the foundation of any video that has a fighting chance of holding someone’s attention.

Think of it like this: your story is the meal, but production quality is the plate it's served on. You wouldn't serve a gourmet dinner on a cracked, dirty plate. The same goes for your video.

Filming Fundamentals That Make a Difference

Before you even touch an editing app, you have to capture footage that's actually usable. Shaky, dark, or muffled video is an instant turn-off. It signals low effort and is a guaranteed way to get someone to scroll right past.

Focus on these three pillars for solid production:

Lighting is Everything: I've seen amazing smartphone cameras produce terrible video simply because the room was too dark. Your best friend here is natural light from a window—it’s free and looks fantastic. If you have to film inside, a simple ring light is a cheap investment that pays for itself immediately in video quality.

Stable Shots are Crucial: Nobody wants to watch a video that looks like it was filmed during an earthquake. A little movement can feel authentic, but constant shakiness is just distracting. You can prop your phone against a stack of books or grab an inexpensive tripod to get those smooth, professional-looking shots.

Crisp Audio is Non-Negotiable: This is the one I see people mess up the most. Viewers will forgive so-so video quality long before they forgive bad audio. Muffled voices or loud background noise will make people ditch your video in seconds. Find a quiet room, or better yet, get a cheap lavalier mic that clips to your shirt. It makes a world of difference.

Getting these things right during filming will save you a massive headache later and dramatically elevate your final video.

Editing with Pace and Purpose

Editing is where the real magic happens. This isn't just about trimming clips; it's about building a rhythm that keeps the viewer glued to the screen. You're trying to create a seamless flow that builds energy and delivers a satisfying punch.

The first rule of modern video editing is to be ruthless. Seriously. If a moment doesn't push the story forward or build momentum, cut it. Your video should feel packed with value, with no wasted time. For platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, quick cuts and a dynamic pace are absolutely essential.

When you're editing, think like a musician, not just a filmmaker. Every cut, transition, and sound effect adds to the overall rhythm. A well-paced edit just feels right and keeps the viewer hooked from one beat to the next.

This is also the time to think about sound-off viewing. A huge chunk of your audience will watch your video on mute. Use on-screen text and captions to tell your story visually.

Your captions shouldn't just be a transcript. Give them personality! Use dynamic text effects, emojis, and highlighting to make key points pop. This makes sure your message gets across, sound on or off.

Amplify Emotion with the Right Audio

Finally, never, ever underestimate the power of sound. The right background music or a trending audio clip can completely change the emotional feel of your video. A trending sound, in particular, acts as an algorithmic shortcut, giving your video an instant boost because platforms are already pushing that audio out.

When you're picking a track, think about the feeling you want to create. Is it upbeat and fun? Heartwarming? Suspenseful? The audio is a powerful cue that tells the viewer exactly how they should feel.

Using a platform like Revid.ai can simplify this whole process, helping you generate viral-style videos from just a simple idea. It can surface trending sounds and even sync your clips to the beat automatically, giving your content that polished, professional rhythm that’s a must for learning how to make a viral video that really connects.

Choosing the Right Platform to Go Viral

Where you post your video matters just as much as what's in it. Every platform has its own vibe—a unique audience, a specific algorithm, and an unwritten set of cultural rules. If you want to create a video that truly connects, it needs to feel like it belongs there.

Think of it this way: you wouldn't wear a tuxedo to a backyard barbecue. By the same token, a long, detailed video made for YouTube will almost certainly fall flat on TikTok without a major overhaul. The real secret isn't just spamming your video everywhere; it's about tailoring it to thrive in each platform's native environment.

Platform Virality Factors Comparison

Picking the right channel for your viral ambitions can feel overwhelming. Each one rewards different things. To make it clearer, I've broken down what makes content pop on today's biggest video platforms. This should help you align your strategy with the right audience and algorithm.

Platform	Optimal Video Format	Key Virality Driver	Target Audience
YouTube	Horizontal (16:9), 8-15+ minutes	Searchability (SEO), High Watch Time	Engaged learners, Entertainment seekers, Product researchers
TikTok	Vertical (9:16), 15-60 seconds	Trend participation, High-impact hooks, Authenticity	Gen Z, Millennials, Trend-followers
Instagram Reels	Vertical (9:16), 15-90 seconds	High aesthetic quality, Trending audio, Relatability	Millennials, Gen Z, Visually-driven communities

Ultimately, the best platform is the one where your content style and target audience overlap. A beautiful, aesthetic-heavy video might be perfect for Reels, while a deep dive into a niche topic will find its home on YouTube.

YouTube: The Search Engine Giant

When it comes to raw numbers, nothing touches YouTube. With a projected 2.6 billion monthly users by 2025, its scale is simply unmatched. It's no wonder that 90% of marketers use it to reach their audiences, and 85% are planning to increase their video budget on the platform.

The game on YouTube is all about discoverability. Unlike TikTok, where content finds you, people on YouTube are usually looking for something specific. That makes Search Engine Optimization (SEO) your single most powerful tool.

Keyword-Rich Titles: Your title needs to grab attention while being packed with the actual phrases people are typing into the search bar.

Click-Worthy Thumbnails: Think of your thumbnail as a tiny movie poster. It has to be high-contrast and emotionally engaging, sparking enough curiosity to earn the click.

On YouTube, the algorithm rewards longer watch times. If you can create genuinely valuable, in-depth content that keeps people glued to their screens, you're on the right track for virality.

TikTok: The Trend Machine

TikTok is a whole different world. Its algorithm is legendary for a reason—it can take a brand-new account with zero followers and make it an overnight sensation. The entire culture is built on speed, raw authenticity, and jumping on trends while they're hot.

Forget long, drawn-out stories. Success here is about joining the current conversation. Anyone serious about getting views needs to focus on cracking the TikTok code by understanding its fast-paced nature. That means using trending sounds, filters, and video formats to make your content blend seamlessly into a user's "For You" page.

My Two Cents: Don't just copy a trend on TikTok—give it your own spin. The algorithm loves creativity that builds on what's popular, not just a carbon copy of it.

Instagram Reels: The Aesthetic Middle Ground

Instagram Reels splits the difference between YouTube's depth and TikTok's chaos. It takes the short-form, trend-based format from TikTok but filters it through Instagram's signature aesthetic-first culture. To go viral on Reels, a video needs to be both beautiful to watch and tuned into what's currently trending.

Here's what works:

A Strong Visual Identity: Your videos should be well-lit, polished, and fit the overall look and feel of your Instagram grid.

Leverage Discovery Tools: Using the right hashtags, location tags, and collaborator features is essential for pushing your video beyond your existing followers.

The image below breaks down different video styles, comparing how much work they take versus the engagement they tend to get.

As you can see, there’s a trade-off. Live-action is often cheaper and faster, but animation can sometimes drive higher engagement. It’s a strategic choice you'll have to make based on your goals and resources.

Choosing the right platform isn't about picking just one. It’s about learning to speak the unique language of each and translating your message effectively. When you match your content to the platform's culture, you give the algorithm every reason to share it with millions.

The Art of a Strategic Video Launch

So you’ve created a great video. Now what? Hitting ‘publish’ isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting gun. I’ve seen far too many brilliant videos die a quiet death simply because they didn't get that critical initial push. Those first few hours are everything; they send powerful signals to the algorithm, telling it whether your content is worth showing to more people.

This isn’t about crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. It's about engineering momentum from the moment you go live. Your promotion strategy is every bit as important as your content creation.

Prime Your Post for Peak Engagement

Timing is a game-changer. You need to post when your audience is actually online and ready to engage. This gives your video its best shot at getting that initial burst of views. Dive into your platform analytics—they'll tell you exactly when your followers are most active. Posting at 3 a.m. on a Tuesday is just a surefire way to launch to an empty room.

Think of your caption as your second hook. Once the video grabs their attention, the caption has to hold it and push them to act. A simple question can spark a debate in the comments. A direct call to action like, "Tag a friend who needs to see this," works wonders. Your goal is to get people talking.

Fuel the Fire with Proactive Promotion

Don't just post and pray. The real work begins the second your video is live. That first hour is your golden window to show the algorithm that people are loving your content.

Here's an immediate action plan I always follow:

Cross-Promote Instantly: The moment you post, share it everywhere else. A new TikTok should go straight to your Instagram Stories. A new YouTube video needs a link tweeted out immediately. Funnel traffic from every single angle you can.

Engage with Every Comment: When those first comments start rolling in, be ready to reply. This does more than just build community; it effectively doubles your comment count and signals to the algorithm that your post is a hub of activity.

Share in Niche Communities: Find relevant subreddits or Facebook Groups where your video can add genuine value. But don't just dump the link. Frame it with a title that solves a problem or speaks directly to that community's interests.

This initial promotional blitz is what kickstarts the sharing cycle. Your job is to get the ball rolling with enough force that organic sharing takes over, turning your video into a truly viral event.

Align with Modern Video Consumption Habits

To launch successfully, you have to understand how people actually watch videos today. Let's be honest: short-form content is king. We live in a world of quick, punchy videos made for short attention spans and mobile-first viewing.

Recent data on social media trends confirms this, showing short-form video as the top format for going viral. A staggering 90% of consumers watch these clips daily. Even more telling is that vertical videos, which feel native to a phone screen, have a 90% higher completion rate than horizontal ones. These insights, detailed in these 2025 social media video trends on upskillist.com, are not just interesting stats—they are your roadmap.

By aligning your launch with these behaviors—prioritizing short, vertical content and promoting it hard right out of the gate—you’re meeting your audience on their terms. This informed approach is a massive part of learning how to make a viral video that doesn’t just get seen, but gets shared.

Common Questions on Cracking the Viral Code

Going viral can feel like a mystery, and it's natural to have a ton of questions. Let's clear up some of the most common things creators wonder about when they're aiming for that breakout hit.

How Long Does a Viral Video Need to Be?

Honestly, there isn't a single "perfect" length. It all comes down to where you're posting. For quick-scroll platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, you'll want to aim for the 15 to 30-second range. It’s short enough to stop the scroll and get people to watch the whole thing, which these platforms love.

YouTube is a different beast entirely. Here, longer videos often have a better shot at going viral. If you can create something deeply engaging that holds attention for 8 to 15 minutes, you’ll rack up the watch time that YouTube’s algorithm rewards.

Do I Really Need Fancy Equipment?

Not at all. Seriously. Some of the biggest viral videos in history were shot on a basic smartphone. Especially on a platform like TikTok, audiences crave authenticity and a good story—not a Hollywood production.

Your focus shouldn't be on expensive cameras. Instead, pour your energy into what actually makes a difference:

Clean Audio: If people can't hear you clearly, they're gone. Muffled sound is a viewer-repellent.

Decent Lighting: You don't need a professional lighting kit. Just stand near a window. Natural light is your best friend and costs nothing.

A Killer Concept: The idea is everything. A powerful story or a hilarious moment will always beat pretty visuals.

Is It Okay to Repost My Video on Other Platforms?

Yes, but do it smartly. You can't just download your TikTok and throw it up on YouTube and expect the same results. Each platform has its own vibe, and you need to adapt. First rule: always remove the watermark from the original platform.

Then, you need to make the video feel native to its new home. For YouTube, that means crafting a new, keyword-focused title and a custom thumbnail that pops. For Instagram, write a completely new caption that fits the community there. It's a small bit of extra work that makes a massive difference in how your video performs.

Ready to stop guessing and start creating with a real advantage? Revid.ai gives you the AI-powered tools to discover trending ideas, write scripts, and produce videos that are built to go viral. Find out why over a thousand creators trust it to grow their channels.