The JK Wedding - 5 things that make content successfully viral

With 18,325,461 views, 160,540 faves, 82,041 comments, and 85,267 ratings (averaging in a 5/5) in less than a month in Youtube, We're more than sure that you know it's not Chris Brown's Forever music video we're discussing here.

Jill and Kevin's Big Day or more popularly known as The JK Wedding video has definitely created enormous buzz accross various social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Multiply, Tumblr, and perhaps also talked about and discussed in numeroous articles and blogs. Point made, why the hell are we still writing about it?

Well, we wouldn't want to pass this chance to share with you our thoughts on viral content or viral marketing for that matter.

To cut to the chase, here's a brief rundown of the 5 things to consider, better yet the 5 things that make content successfully viral.

1. The Content

Most online marketing firms and SEO specialists would stick to their books and say a screaming "Content is King!" referring to successful online media and then you'd ask yourself, "And so, what's exciting about a wedding?!"--YES! what's so exciting about a wedding that someone will go through the hassle and pass it on to everyone with two thumbs up?

The underlying question here is, how would you create or design something that breaks the silence? Can you cook up something so unconventional and original, that proposes a new and original way of doing things? What we saw in the JK Wedding video is but a clear example of a simple wedding entrance ceremony turn party mode. who in their right minds would dance their way to the altar to Chris Brown's Forever in a supposedly and traditionally solemn part of a wedding ceremony? What if you go surf now and find content so compelling about MTV's Jackass "Party Boy" being inaugurated and hailed by Japan as a national artist, now would you pass it around?

2. Have a Goal in Mind

We're not entirely saying that whoever choreographed the wedding entrance had plans of putting it in Youtube or sending a copy to several TV networks, but we're also NOT entirely saying that whoever choreographed the wedding entrance had NO plans of putting it in Youtube or any other media.

When it comes to viral campaigns, make sure that you have a well structured plan backed by data, indicate your goals, and focus your main and peripheral efforts towards your goal. Don't find yourself in a so called Doom Loop, it just goes to show you lack passion and initiative in what you're doing. In addition, if your aim is to provide a quick laugh to anyone who finds your content, then do so, don't wander around trying to involve other things like a lame story to back it up.

3. Use Social Media

Economic recession and boredom aside, it's a known fact that many people online are addicted to Youtube. With millions--no, billions--of viewers everyday, the likelihood of this "novel" video coming across different people from all over the continent is more than enough to catapult it to fame--which is what happened. So if you have something novel to share to the world, something unique, and something valuable, choose the best platform--think of a platform that has the right audience, that is popular, and the like. In other words, like a well-trained farmer, know where its best to plant your seeds.

4. Allow Your Content To Speak The Language of Your Audience

Aside from having viral content, a goal, and a plan, it is also as important to know your audience. Make sure this ties up to any media or platform you are trying to use. Content that can't be recognized by an audience is but a failure of strategic planning, more so, a content failure. Just make sure that your content reaches your desired audience.

Don't expect a wholesome mother of two be attracted to your viral efforts for a sex toy for example.

5. Hype It

Don't we all find ourselves in a cold start at least once in our online lives? You have your winning content ready, and you've placed it strategically on the best spot online, is that it? Will people come to you? It is also important to note that it takes quick thinking and massive efforts to push the flywheel towards your goals, which is why we mentioned earlier that you need to focus your main and peripheral efforts towards your goals or else you will end up in a stop and go no direction progression.

By saying Hype It we mean pushing it in the most efficient and creative way forward. The owner of the JK Wedding video must have contacted all of the people on speed dial after the event to share the already posted Youtube video to their own networks. Isn't it so convenient and efficient to have the people who were actually there be genuine advocates or peddlers for the content? Not that there were any brands or products involved in the video, but the point is, tap your natural advantages and build on top of them. In a sense, the idea behind this last note is similar to difference between hearing a World War II story from your history professor as compared to hearing it from a real war veteran. Which content would you think be more valuable?

That initial push is makes a lot of difference.

There obviously can be a lot more ways to make your viral content successful, here are just 5 we thought would be most important: your content, your plan and goal, your media, your language, and your efforts. If you have ideas and suggestions feel free to share them with us. You're thoughts are always welcome.

Learning from traditional marketing, here's something to keep your mind busy in case you're planning to cook up something: "The best way to kill a lousy product, is to advertise it.."

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If you haven't seen the JK Wedding Video, here it is: