Let’s start with the obvious: going viral is a bit like catching lightning in a bottle. You can do everything “right” and still not hit. Or you can film a raccoon stealing a slice of pizza and boom – 1.2 million views by lunch.
But still, there’s a method to the madness. Kind of. If you’re a brand, especially one working with a Video Production Company, you’re not just hoping to get lucky. You want to create content that hits people in the gut – or the funny bone, or the heart – and makes them want to share it.
So yeah, let’s talk about how to do that.
Expert Tips to Make Viral Videos
1) First, Know What “Viral” Means for You
Okay, let’s get real. A million views might be viral for some. For others, it’s a hundred shares from the right kind of audience. If you’re a B2B tech company, you’re probably not trying to become famous on Instagram or Threads (though hey, no judgment if you are).
Define success first. Then reverse-engineer from there. We once worked on a video campaign for a niche software brand. We barely cracked 30K views. But it got them three enterprise clients. That was their version of viral. And it worked.
2) Tell a Story, Not Just a Message
You can have the slickest camera angles, fancy animations, and a killer tagline. But if your video doesn’t feel like something, people won’t care. Or worse, they’ll forget it before it ends.
So the winning mantra: Story > polish/refine. Every single time.
Think about those ads that stick with you. It’s rarely just the product shot. It’s the weird dog-human friendship or the emotional dad-daughter moment. Or it’s just a solid joke delivered well.
A good video production company knows this. They won’t just ask “what do you want to say?” They’ll ask, “what do you want people to feel?”
If they’re not asking that, maybe find another team.
3) Make the First 5 Seconds Count
This is not news, but it’s still ignored all the time. People scroll fast. They swipe even faster. Your opening shot should make them stop. Not necessarily with a bang, and sometimes a whisper works too. But make it something.
Don’t wait to get to the good part. Start with it. You can explain later. Or not. Some of the best viral videos just drop you into the middle of the action and leave breadcrumbs as they go.
4) Tap into Something Bigger
Want people to share your video? Give them a reason that isn’t just “it’s cool.” Make them feel like it says something about them when they pass it on.
Think:
- “This is exactly how I feel about Mondays or during festivals.”
- “OMG, this is so us.”
- “This made me cry and I don’t even know why.”
Sometimes it’s humor. Sometimes it’s rage. Sometimes it’s a niche inside joke for people who drink iced coffee in winter. Whatever it is, hit a nerve. Or a funny bone. Just don’t be generic. Nobody shares generic.
5) Use Trends—but Twist Them
Trends are your friend. But copying them straight-up? That’s a one-way ticket to boring ordinary.
If you’re working with a good video editing service, they’ll know how to remix a trending format into something that fits your brand. Think of trends like seasoning — sprinkle, don’t pour.
One time, a brand we worked with spoofed the “day in the life” trend with their office dog. It was dumb. It was hilarious. It worked.
6) Keep It Shortish
Yes, short videos generally do better. But also… not always?
Sometimes a one-minute ad hits harder than a 15-second clip. Sometimes a three-minute mini-doc holds attention because it’s just that good.
Rule of thumb: make it as short as it can be without cutting out the soul. And if your intro drags, people won’t even get to the good part.
7) Optimize, But Don’t Overthink It
Yes, title matters. Thumbnail matters. Captions matter. But don’t let optimization kill your vibe.
Some of the most viral videos have terrible titles. Some have zero hashtags. Sometimes the internet just decides something is worth watching.
That said, don’t skip the basics. Make your video look clickable. Frame your thumbnail like it’s a movie poster. Tease something in the title. Write a caption that makes people feel like they have to watch.
You know. Use your head, but don’t strangle the fun out of it.
8) Quality Still Matters
You can shoot on a phone. That’s fine. But bad lighting, messy sound, shaky cuts? That’ll kill it. Viral doesn’t mean sloppy.
If you want to give your content a legit shot, investing in a video production company is honestly worth it. They’ll help you storyboard, light the shot properly, capture clean audio, and most importantly, cut it together so it flows.
Same goes for post. A solid video editing service can elevate an average shoot into something tight, sharp, and scroll-stopping.
You Never Know What Will Hit (So Keep Making)
This one’s the kicker. You can plan everything. Nail every frame. Hit every trend. And still—nothing. Or you can post a behind-the-scenes blooper and it goes bananas.
You. Just. Don’t. Know.
So don’t put all your hopes on one video. Make lots. Try things. Play around. Learn what your audience reacts to. Give them something worth sharing again and again. And be okay with flops. Everyone’s had them. They’re part of the deal.
So, Will Your Next Video Go Viral?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But if you:
- tell a real story
- make it feel something
- keep it short and sharp
- lean on a solid video production company
- and polish it with thoughtful video editing services
…you’ll be a lot closer than most.
And hey, even if it doesn’t go viral, it might still be exactly what your brand needs. Sometimes, that’s enough.
Want help making a video that actually connects (whether or not it explodes on social)? Honeycomb has got your back, from first idea to final cut.
Let’s create something worth watching.
