The internet is a crowded space for businesses to get their name out there. Smaller companies often find themselves competing with some of the world’s most well-known brands, including giants such as Apple and Google, in search engine rankings. This competitiveness occurs not just on social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter but also through videos posted online by users who feel strongly enough about certain products/services they wish to share with others via short clips filmed at home using mobile phones and other means. The viral nature of today’s marketing techniques means this struggle will continue into the foreseeable future if companies do not hop on the video marketing trends.
Viral videos are a huge part of marketing these days. From small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, there is a good chance that one of the millions of video ads they have seen online were actually brought to their attention by people sharing them on social media. In the digital age, it is not enough to just have a great product or service. It turns out that people are far more likely to drop what they are doing to find an appealing product or service that interests them if their social media feed has been flooded with videos advertising said products and services.
Video marketing is one of the most powerful tools a brand can use to connect with its consumers. And while there are endless ways to create video content, some strategies are more successful than others. Check out these five examples of viral video marketing that have achieved widespread success. Despite some of them being released years ago, these videos continue to be shared and viewed by millions of people online. So what makes them so special? And what can you learn from their success? Read on to find out.
Here are five fantastic examples of viral video marketing done right:
Coca-Cola’s Happiness Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqT_dPApj9U
In this ad for Coca-Cola, a man goes to install what looks like a normal vending machine in a college cafeteria. When the first person to use the vending machine buys a bottle of Coca-Cola, tons of other bottles start coming out of the machine even though she did not buy all of them. The commercial then goes to show flowers being handed out through the vending machine to another girl who used the vending machine, implying that both flowers and Coca-Cola can bring someone the same amount of happiness. The idea is simple but very effective. This video marketing example was very successful in using emotions to gain the attention of their targeted audience, as it was filmed on a college campus with a bunch of students who were appreciative of something as small as what appeared to be a “broken” vending machine at first.
Coca-Cola – “America The Beautiful”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiMMpFcy-HU
Also by Coca-Cola, this ad plays “America The Beautiful” in a bunch of different languages. It is an incredibly clever idea and not something that is expected from such a well-known brand. It also stands out because it pokes fun at itself and Coca-Cola’s own iconic status in so many cultures around the world, while also demonstrating the diversity within the United States.
Coca-Cola has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to marketing and advertising. This time, they used their iconic status to show many cultures around the world as a jumpstart for this new campaign.
Old Spice – The Man Your Man Could Smell Like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE
This Old Spice ad went viral almost immediately, as it offered a new approach to video marketing. In this ad, the man in the video talks directly to the camera, insinuating that he is talking to ladies with significant others who want their men to smell good. The man in the video remained memorable in a lot of viewers’ minds, so Old Spice continued to use the same actor in future commercials. This helped to build brand awareness and keep the attention of the new audience that was being targeted.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS6ysDFTbLU
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral almost instantly on social media in the summer of 2014. The challenge was used as an effort to raise awareness and funds for those living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The challenge was as simple as pouring a bucket of ice over your own head and then tagging three friends on social media to do the same. Once a friend was tagged, they were encouraged to complete the challenge within 24 hours. The urgency associated with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge allowed for it to go viral very quickly.
Peloton – Sex and the City Reboot Response
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsE7IRL2Ees
A more recent example of effective and viral video marketing is the Peloton commercial that was made in response to Sex and the City’s reboot ‘And Just Like That.’ In the first episode of the reboot, one of the main characters dies from a heart attack after riding on his Peloton bike. This put a bad taste in audience member’s mouths about the Peloton brand, as they now associated the object with heart problems. In response to the episode, Peloton released a commercial that led viewers to believe that the main character was, in fact, still alive. It is assumed that the main character faked his death to be with his Peloton instructor. This creative means of video marketing went viral almost immediately after the commercial was released; it was being shared on all forms of social media, resulting in even more brand awareness for Peloton.
Conclusion
Every company should look for ways to build up their social media presence with videos that are shared over and over again by people who want to show off their products or services to friends, family members, and complete strangers. While some companies have no trouble creating their own viral videos, others need outside help. When a business needs a boost in the right direction, there is no better way to do so than with social media. From promoting products and services to gathering buzz for new releases or events coming up soon, videos are an excellent tool that can help spread information quickly online.
Whatever a businesses’ needs may be, there is a good chance that one of these five examples will work great as inspiration – if not now then certainly in the future. Maybe they will even come up with an idea so impressive that it becomes an instant classic just like the ones above.
In the meantime, it is important for companies to stay on top of video marketing news to see what is working best for some of their favorite brands. Videos have become an integral part of marketing for both large and small businesses. From the countless videos that appear on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, to advertisements within shows, such as commercials, there is no denying how powerful this form of marketing can be when executed correctly.
If a company is looking to acquire any kind of video marketing services for building brand awareness, Padula Media is an online digital marketing agency that is ready to help. Padula Media believes in your necessities as a business and utilizes the strongest online tools to achieve all of the desired results.
Their services include Digital Marketing, Advertising, Organic social media posting, Video Marketing, SEO, Local SEO, Photo, Web Development, Brand & Design, Real Estate photography, and 3D Tours. While many of their services are performed in West Chester, Philadelphia, and New York, they also work nationwide. For more information, visit www.padulamedia.com or email info@padulamedia.com