PRANK VIDEO POST THAT WENT VIRAL

It's not a recent prank video, to begin with. But a Facebook page TMP (TheMerlionPress) posted this couple's astonishing behaviour that got us watching too many times, yet smiling to it! So we decided to find out what's the ingredient behind such video. Watch the video below, get the positive juice in you, for a great, great week ahead at work with your colleague or at home with your spouse! No regret!

What's The Reach?

You'd be surprised this video was shared on a local Singapore Facebook page has gone viral and reached the American soil in hours. The video was posted last Thursday having *14 million reach, 3.6 million views, 100k likes, 63k shares, 14k comments and counting...

(*as of morning 11 Sep 2017)

Million Viewers Is Not Normal! Formula?

Yes, you have to agree with me reaching few million viewers is definitely not normal if you're a Singapore based media/publisher/brand owner when it comes to social media postings. I mean we are really incomparable with China (and other large internet community) when it comes to "million viewerships" for digital content. Here, even known, established or pioneering social media page owners find it hard to reach such numbers. Arguably, you might say that the content posted was not originally produced or developed by the media owner themselves. True, you do have a point, but let's discuss that some other time when we have an apple to apple comparison. Some rumoured that the video was actually staged. Possible, but let's be good and maybe we can get them to clarify that? (See below - words from the featured star).

My point is, few million viewership is rare and it's so hard to achieve, that such achievements, Singaporeans should be proud of as it's a milestone for a local Facebook page. Digital, Marketing agencies and Video Production Houses has been busy in crafting such video for their clients; but it's not that easy (duh, who said it was) and not many that have met such level of virality. But these agencies still kept their KPIs on their toes. Hence, they are still progressively good think-tank for brand owners to engage them. To be honest, sometimes we just have to keep away from thinking of being one, to be one. Get away from the numbers, just make it fun for your audience, engage them like nobody does. So, what's the formula?

Before we reveal the formula, let's continue reading the virus effect to see the broader impact it has generated from the post.

The Virus Effect

We actually mean viral effect that spread (shares) just like a virus does. But of course the good ones. When we said it reaches the American soil earlier, it's not just merely data - the Rockstar (the couple) who were featured in the video indeed left the TMP Facebook page a message, and they're up for some quick collaboration.

Meanwhile, follow their Facebook page for more update at www.fb.com/TheMerlionPress

If you realize, TMP even purposely tease-tagged Esso Singapore and Caltex Singapore in their post. One of them did reply with a giphy, which I thought that's not good enough. Maybe they should challenge them for such campaign, and when the post goes viral, they can use it for publicity, or marketing campaigns, whilst the media owner can collaborate thereon to run the campaign.

In fact, this is not the only postings that have gone similar extensive virality. They have reached 18 million viewers before (see below video). There must be something that we should learn from them when it comes to making Viral Videos. #viralvideohack

So, What's The Formula, Really?

What you're about to read are highly-exclusive guidelines. Okay, we're kidding - knowledge is for everyone, doing it is another thing though (get experts help, below). Agencies, research group and media owners spent much time and effort finding the best ingredients of what a viral video should have. Only to discover that it is that simple, and the problem lies in us, we find it hard to be simple!

Here's the take-away.....

First and foremost start your day with positivity; from what you read, hear and see. Go around influence (share) your surroundings with more positive articles, videos, stories and news. This positivity will inspire you. By all means, do try to avoid negativity (stories) that will possibly pull you or others down. We had too much junk stories being shared on social landscape, and seriously it does no good! So, why not share only the positive ones. That's step one of being able to inspire yourself...

Unfortunately, there isn't a right formula, but we got some strategy to share that we use (they ain't the same thing right...).

• An ad shouldn't look like an ad; same analogy for a viral video.
• Emotions; we're humans, we are attached to emotions. Make people laugh or cry.
• Perspectives; our life is never perfect, but it can be ideal. So paint your audience with an ideal life they would like to see, hear or feel.
• Surrounding; Bring them into the story, and be relevant to the audience. Imagine you are so into the story, surrounded by the sound of laughter, or the feel of empathy.

AND, WHAT'S IN VIRAL VIDEO?

We would like to expand what has been mentioned above with the characteristic and guidelines to what a viral video should have...

• Twist; You probably see this element in your favourite movie. Basically, it's an irony factor that contrary to what was expected.
• Laughter; Add that element in your video, be it the surrounding/the cast in the video or a laughing sound effect.
• Surprise; An element of surprise is a need. Let your audience see or hear someone express the surprise part.
• Public; People are more likely engaged to public videos. Things that happen in public, with or without them knowing.
• Stories; People love to share compelling stories.
• PPP; Practical, Pride, Positivity... People like to share practical information to others, and yes they're proud when they share - being able to look good on others. And of course, positive information is something which they want to be closely associated with.

NOW, ARE YOU THINKING WHAT I AM THINKING?

Okay after so much anxiety, mine at least.... Are you thinking of producing a video that possibly turns into the talk of the town? Making it viral that will boost your brand? Yes? It's not an easy mission, but it's not impossible and we're pretty sure we know the game. Simply tell us more about what you want to achieve, be it branding, positioning or product focused, and we'll take it from there. Wait no longer, think less and do more till we get what we want.

Source: TheMerlionPress, TheVideoCompany

THEMERLIONPRESS (TMP) a media-owner that focus on the recollection of Singapore's histories, culture and most importantly sharing only positive-fun contents through their Facebook page. If you are into learning your roots and loving Singapore's great history, laughing at the positive and fun content you're at the right place.

THEVIDEOCOMPANY a video production house based in Singapore that helps companies develop and produce videos for corporate and strategic social media content for audience engagement. Collectively they have more than 10-years of experience in visual-motion and content marketing experience.