What Makes a YouTube Video Go Viral?

What’s up friend!

Do you ever wonder why some YouTube videos blow up while others barely get noticed?

Well, let me tell you, viral videos aren’t just random.

They follow specific patterns and principles.

Here’s the step-by-step anatomy of a viral YouTube video and how you can use these insights to create your breakout hits:

1. Click-Worthy Packaging

It all starts with the idea and then the title and thumbnail. 

These elements are your video’s first impression and are critical for getting clicks.

What works:

• Curiosity gaps: “Why This Tiny Change 10x’d My Subscribers”

• Bold promises: “I Got 100,000 Subscribers in 30 Days to Prove it’s Not Luck”

• Emotion triggers: Fear, desire, or FOMO (fear of missing out).

Pair a bold title with a clean, simple thumbnail. Think 3 elements max to avoid overwhelming viewers.

A somewhat recent example I really love is that of Veritasium. It has three simple elements and a strong curiosity gap.

‘‘What do we get wrong about planes?’’

‘‘Are they even more scary than I thought?’’

‘‘Yeah why does Airplane Mode exist for airplanes!?’’

Strong, simple, yet very effective packaging.

2. The Perfect Intro 

You only have 15 seconds to hook your audience in a long form video. Viewers need to know instantly why your video is worth watching.

I obsess over intros with my clients. That’s why I was able to grow multiple channels to award status. Because I don’t settle for the first draft.

Over time, you’ll build a bank in your brain of intro techniques that are proven to work, but especially as a beginner you want to obsess over your intro.

What works:

• Start with a bang: Open with an intriguing question or shocking fact.

• Set expectations: Clearly state what they’ll get by staying.

• Cut fluff: Think to yourself: ‘‘Does this sentence NEED to be here?’’ If the story still makes sense without it → delete immediately.

3. Value-Packed Content 

The best viral videos keep delivering value throughout, whether it’s entertainment, education, or inspiration. Every second needs to count.

What works:

• Strong storytelling: Take viewers on a journey with a clear beginning, middle, and end. I talk more about storytelling on my YouTube channel in the coming months.

• Pacing: Understand where to cut the fluff and where to keep breathing room for the viewer to feel or think something.

• Surprise moments: Include twists or unexpected turn to keep viewers hooked.

4. Binge-Worthy CTAs

A great ending doesn’t just wrap up your video; it sets up the next one. This keeps viewers on your channel longer, signaling YouTube that your content is worth promoting.

What works well is opening a new desire or highlighting a pain point that still exists.

Example: “Now that you know how to get viewers to click, there’s one thing still to master: keeping them watching. Watch my video on how to create irresistible stories here.””

Just remember this: Virality isn’t luck.

It’s a formula: compelling packaging + engaging content + strategic promotion.

Apply these principles consistently, increasing your chances of creating a breakout hit.

What part of this breakdown was most helpful? Hit reply and let me know!

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Plus, here are my other favorite tools to WIN on YouTube:

💡Ideation: 1of10.com

🖼️Thumbnail A/B testing: thumbnailtest.com