What’s Fresh?

The whole concept of viral marketing can be a bit vague, but when you stumble across something that has that “it’ quality, it’s obvious. One of my favorite videos on YouTube, Charlie Bit My Finger, has just shy of 46 million views. That is a lot of hits even if you are a major brand.

After watching this video for the upteinth time, I started to wonder about what makes this video made it so popular? Why do users pass it along to their friends?

Here is why I think this viral video campaign is effective:

1. Hilarious. To make a recommendation, the content needs to be worth the hype. This is worthy.

2. Genuine. You can literally see the pain on the older brother’s face

3. Quotable. After recieving sideways glances when I blurt out “That really hurt Charlie” in a British accent, I feel the need to show nonbelievers what I am referencing. Thus creating a new crop of Charlie lovers.

4. Novel. Viral videos need to be unique and something you don’t see everyday.

What are some other criteria for creating a viral online video campaign?

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