1. Going Viral
Making & Distributing
Online Video
Arik Abel * http://arikabel.com * @arikabel * arik.abel@gmail.com

3. Why video? Three E’s
Educate, Entertain, Emote

4. Two Types of Outbreaks: One-to-Many (Viral), Many-2-Many (Meme)

5. Evergreen Content
It’s not viral.
But it has a lot
of effing views.

6. Technique
Topic
Talent
Timing Tension

7. Topic
Who is your audience?
What are they talking about?
Mash-ups. Parodies. Post-It Note
Videos. All in One Take… Is
your technique unique?
Technique

8. Talent
Who is in your video?
Is their audience the same as
yours?
What is happening in the world?
What can you add to that event?
What is the right time to add it?
Timing

9. Tension
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…

10. The Law of Distributed Influence
Imagine all the people,
singing in Trafalgar Square
Did you see the frozen
people in Grand Central?

12. Group Exercise
1. Pick a particular audience, it can even be “anyone
with an internet connection”.
2. Which of the Ts are they talking about, searching
for, watching and sharing right now?
Topics, Talent, Timing
3. How can you apply a unique technique?
Safe for work memes
4. How can you create or resolve tension?
5. Give the idea a catchy description thatʼs easy to
remember and search for.

13. produce
distribute
share

14. produce :: a great hook
“Have you seen the __________________?”
“Did you know that___________________?”
“How can I find out___________________?”

15. produce :: storyboard

16. produce :: rule of thirds

17. produce :: shot variety

18. produce :: a-roll / b-roll

19. distribute :: video-sharing sites

20. distribute :: seo, keywords

21. distribute :: syndication

22. share :: do it yourself

23. share :: help them help you

24. Review
1. Observe what people are talking about, searching
for, watching and sharing
2. Apply the Five Tʼs and Law of Distributed
Influence 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