The dream of going viral has become really appealing for up-and-coming online creators. As we head into 2024, the strategies for making content go viral have been fine-tuned, taking into account the newest trends, platforms, and what audiences are looking for.
If you're a new creator who wants to make a name for yourself online, this article will give you a step-by-step plan to follow on the path to going viral.
Step 1: Discover your niche and target audience and come up with a unique perspective
The foundation of your path to going viral is figuring out your niche and who your target audience is. Start by asking yourself – what unique style, perspective or expertise can you bring? Think about the topics, themes, or subjects that you're really passionate about. Your niche should be a reflection of the real you, so you can create content that genuinely connects with your audience.
Once you've figured out your niche, dive into researching your target audience. Understand their age, interests, and the kind of content they like to engage with. Use social media analytics tools to get insights into their behavior, preferences, and online habits. This information will be the solid foundation for creating content that really resonates with your intended viewers and gives you a better shot at going viral.
Step 2: Start with YouTube content creation
YouTube is still the foundation for creators to find long-term success. It's a super versatile platform where you can show off your creativity, build a loyal following of subscribers, and establish your brand identity.
To make fire YouTube content, focus on these key areas:
You need to stay on top of the latest trends, news, and happenings in your niche. Create content that tackles current topics and gives fresh perspectives on them. Twitter and TikTok are great places to see what's going on in any topic right now.
By making content about trending subjects, you're more likely to attract a bigger audience searching for timely, relevant information. Use tools like Google Trends and social media trending topics to stay ahead of the curve and create content that connects with what people are talking about at the moment.
- Invest in production equipment
Invest in quality equipment and continuously develop your video production skills. Crisp visuals, clear audio, and engaging editing techniques are essential for capturing and retaining viewer attention. You can always start with your iPhone. But as you continue, save up money and allocate resources to upgrading your camera, microphone, and lighting setup to ensure a professional and polished look. Experiment with different filming techniques, such as multiple camera angles, creative transitions, and dynamic visual effects to elevate your content's production value.
Storytelling is everything. Be ready to create your content in a compelling narrative style that will draw viewers in and keep them hooked. Use storytelling techniques to create emotional connections, provoke thought, and inspire action. Engage your audience through relatable anecdotes, personal experiences, and thought-provoking insights. Structure your videos with a clear beginning, middle, and end, ensuring a seamless flow of information and maintaining viewer engagement throughout.
- Consistency and scheduling
Establish a consistent upload schedule to build anticipation and loyalty with your subscribers. On YouTube, regularly releasing new content keeps your audience engaged and excited for your next video. And when we say consistent, we don't mean just 1 or 2 months – you need to give it at least 18 months, over a year and a half, to really see it pay off.
The mindset you need to have is that you're committed to this for the long haul. It might start paying off in just a couple months, but thinking long-term will help you push past any doubts about your progress.
Stay consistent with both how often you post and the quality of your content. Analyze your audience's viewing habits and optimize your upload times to maximize your reach and engagement. Consistency in your content is crucial for building a dedicated fan base and increasing your chances of going viral.
Step 3: After making some Youtube content, get straight to TikTok
TikTok has become an absolute powerhouse when it comes to helping content creators go viral. Its algorithm is designed to push out engaging, shareable content, giving creators a unique avenue to showcase their creativity and connect with a huge audience.
To take advantage of TikTok's viral potential, try these strategies:
- Start by repurposing your YouTube Content for TikTok
Take your existing YouTube videos and adapt them into short, eye-catching TikTok clips. Extract the most engaging parts, add catchy captions, and use popular sounds and filters to make your content fit the TikTok style.
Experiment with different formats like quick skits, challenges, or educational snippets – the goal is to capture the attention of TikTok users and get them interested in checking out your full YouTube content.
Stay up-to-date with the latest TikTok trends, challenges, dances, and memes. Participate in these trends by adding your unique perspective or creative spin. Joining popular trends increases your visibility and positions your content in front of a wider audience. Be quick to jump on emerging trends and put your own signature style on them to stand out from the crowd.
Remember the goal is to quickly get in front of as many eyeballs as possible.
- Do TikTok collaborations and duets
Engage with other creators in your niche through collaborations and duets. Collaborating with established creators exposes your content to their audience and expands your reach. Duets allow you to interact with popular videos, showcasing your creativity and personality. Actively seek out collaboration opportunities, reach out to creators whose content aligns with yours, and propose mutually beneficial partnerships.
Step 4: Streaming and reaction content
Live streaming and reaction videos have gained immense popularity, offering a more intimate and interactive experience for viewers. Incorporating these formats into your content strategy can enhance your connection with your audience and increase your chances of going viral. Consider the following approaches:
- Use multiple streaming platforms at once
Use streaming platforms like Twitch, TikTok Live YouTube Live, and Instagram Live to connect with your audience in real-time. This will require you to have multiple devices but the investment is worth it. Share your thoughts, engage in Q&A sessions, and showcase your personality through interactions. You can livestream your interesting activities and share a behind-the-curtain view to your audience.
Live streaming allows you to build a stronger bond with your viewers, fostering a sense of community and loyalty. Regularly schedule live streams and promote them across your social media channels to maximize viewership and engagement.
Also always make sure that your streams are recorded and you can always hire an editor to cut the interesting parts and share them on social media as separate pieces of content. Just like how Kai Cenat, IshowSpeed, and other top streamers do.
- Start making reaction videos
Create reaction videos to popular content within your niche. React to viral videos, interviews, or performances by influential figures. Provide insightful commentary, share your genuine reactions, and offer a fresh perspective on the content.
Reaction videos tap into the curiosity and interest surrounding popular content, allowing you to piggyback on their viral potential and attract new viewers to your channel.
- Repurpose your reaction videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts
As we have mentioned before, repurpose your reaction videos and stream highlights into TikTok clips, Instagram Reels, and YouTube shorts. Use relevant hashtags, mention the original creators, and tap into their existing fan bases.
By associating yourself with established names, you increase your visibility and attract new viewers to your content. Create engaging TikTok edits that showcase the most memorable moments from your reactions and streams, enticing viewers to explore your full content on other platforms. Remember you can always hire an editor on Fiverr or other freelancing platforms to do the work for you.
Step 5: Monetizing
As your content gains traction and your audience grows, it's important to start thinking about monetization strategies. Monetizing your content allows you to turn your passion into a sustainable career and invest back into your content creation process. As a content creator in 2024, you have several monetization models to consider, each with its own advantages and considerations. Let's dive into the five main monetization models:
- Individual platform partnership programs
Many social media platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch, offer partnership programs that allow creators to earn revenue through ads, sponsorships, and other incentives. These programs typically have specific requirements, such as a minimum number of followers or views, and a certain level of engagement.
To qualify for these partnership programs, focus on consistently creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience. Engage with your followers, encourage likes, comments, and shares, and adhere to the platform's community guidelines. Once you meet the eligibility criteria, apply for the partnership program and follow the steps to set up your account for monetization.
Keep in mind that the revenue generated through platform partnership programs can vary depending on factors like ad rates, viewer engagement, and the specific terms of the program. It's important to diversify your monetization strategies and not rely solely on platform-based revenue.
- Brand partnerships and deals
As your influence grows, brands may approach you for partnerships and sponsored content opportunities. Brand partnerships involve creating content that promotes or features a brand's products or services. These partnerships can take various forms, such as sponsored posts, product reviews, or branded video integrations.
To attract brand partnerships, create a media kit that showcases your audience demographics, engagement rates, and content style. Reach out to brands that align with your niche and values, and propose collaboration ideas that benefit both parties. Be authentic and transparent with your audience about sponsored content, and only partner with brands that you genuinely believe in.
When negotiating brand deals, consider factors like your audience size, engagement levels, and the scope of work required. Set clear expectations, deliverables, and timelines in your contracts to ensure a smooth partnership.
Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services through unique affiliate links and earning a commission on any sales or actions generated through those links. This monetization model allows you to recommend products you trust and use to your audience while earning a percentage of the revenue.
To get started with affiliate marketing, join affiliate networks or programs relevant to your niche. Share affiliate links in your content, such as in video descriptions, blog posts, or social media captions. Be transparent with your audience and disclose your affiliate relationships to maintain trust.
When selecting products to promote, choose those that genuinely align with your content and provide value to your audience. Provide honest reviews and recommendations, and only promote products you would use yourself. Track your affiliate performance and optimize your strategies based on audience response and conversion rates.
- Selling your own branded products
Creating and selling your own branded products is a powerful way to monetize your content and establish a stronger connection with your audience. Branded products can range from physical merchandise like clothing, accessories, or home goods to digital products like e-books, templates, or presets. For physical products, you can sell them via Shopify and for digital products, you can use Gumroad.
To develop your own branded products, identify items that resonate with your audience and align with your brand identity. Conduct market research to assess demand and pricing strategies. Partner with reliable manufacturers or suppliers, and invest in quality design and production.
Promote your branded products through your content, social media channels, and email marketing. Offer exclusive discounts or early access to your loyal followers to incentivize purchases. Continuously gather feedback from your audience and iterate on your product offerings based on their preferences and needs.
- Selling a training program or course
If you have valuable knowledge or skills to share, creating and selling a training program or course can be a lucrative monetization strategy. Online courses allow you to package your expertise into a structured learning experience for your audience.
To create a successful training program, identify a specific problem or need that your audience faces and develop a program to address it. Break down your content into modules or lessons, and incorporate various learning formats like videos, worksheets, and quizzes to engage learners.
Invest in high-quality production and delivery of your course content. Use platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Thinkific to host and manage your course. Promote your course through your content, social media, and targeted ads. Offer previews or free mini-courses to give potential students a taste of your teaching style and the value they can expect.
Continuously update and improve your course based on student feedback and industry developments. Engage with your students through forums, live Q&A sessions, or one-on-one coaching to provide additional support and value.
The Blueprint shared by Duke Dennis
Recently, Duke Dennis, one of the most popular social media influencers with massive followings was interviewed and asked a question. If he were to start from scratch again with the goal of being a top influencer in less than 6 months, what steps would he follow to get quick success? His answers were surprisingly right and matched this blueprint.
Here is the short video:
Conclusion
Going viral as an online creator in 2024 takes a strategic and adaptable approach. You need to find your unique niche, become a pro at making YouTube videos, take advantage of TikTok's viral potential, use streaming and reaction videos, build a strong brand identity, collaborate with others, and stay on top of the latest platforms and trends. Do all that, and you can set yourself up for viral success.
Remember, going viral isn't a one-time thing – it's an ongoing journey of staying creative, being consistent, and really engaging your audience. Stay true to yourself, keep at it, and be open to growing as a creator.
The blueprint for going viral in 2024 is within your reach. It's time to take action, put in the work, and make your viral dreams a reality. Believe in yourself, stay focused on your goals, and keep pushing forward – your big viral moment is out there waiting for you.
