Have you ever seen the video of the man shooting his daughter’s laptop? Did you know the video is getting millions of hits and has been a trending topic for weeks, gaining air time from cable and network television stations?
Have you seen the latest cute pet video? And have you ever wondered why videos and pictures of cats and other cute animals, with cool captions, become so popular on the Internet?
What about videos of kids singing on the Web and getting recording contracts, or a man screaming about a double rainbow, then doing a commercial for one of the biggest software companies in the world? Are you familiar with this or similar pieces of Internet content? Why are they so popular? How does it attract so many viewers, fans and the attention of established companies?
In the last few years, I have uncovered portions of the secret that give Web content creators their 15 gigabytes or more of fame. I’ve even had a gigabyte or two of my own.
I am a work-at-home dad/videographer and I’ve had both serious and silly videos broadcast on CNN TV, CNN International, Fox News Channel, Headline News, ESPN, Local Cable, Cincinnati, Ohio’s – Local FOX, ABC and NBC affiliates.
In 2008, I went from uploading and posting my content online to getting news coverage and recognition internationally in just a few short months, and now, in 2012, I have millions of Internet hits and TV views. I will tell you how you can do it too.
In October 2010, I had a video distributed by “Take A Look At This” and the Associated Press. In August 2011, my song the “Ghost On A Stick” Rap and Craft was named one of five Unforgettable iReport songs in CNN iReport History.
All of the above and much more has been created by just picking up a camera and capturing low-budget videos and other content to broadcast on the Web. And you can do it too. Thanks to websites such as Yahoo! Contributor Network, I’ve been able to follow a formula that has spelled success for me. I’ve created popular videos, audio, text and other digital content and now I want to share this information with those that want to find out what it takes to go from uploading stuff to the web to making a cool impact on the Internet scene.
Here are some top tips you can use to get hits and views on your Internet videos and other Web content. The following list is similar to the formula that I have used in recent years to create millions of internet hits and broadcast T.V. station views. Check it out!!!
1. Make Videos on Popular Subjects
Make videos and upload Web content on popular subjects, such as people, places, things, and current events, and this will help to broaden your audience and boost your Internet hits and total views.
The first video I submitted to a user-generated news site in 2008 was about a popular presidential candidate. A few weeks after it was reviewed and vetted by their staff, portions of this video were broadcast on their international sister station.
2. Broadcast TV and Media Opportunities
Currently, a lot of major media companies and TV stations, local, national and international, allow you to upload news and other content to their network of websites, media affiliates and partners. Some of your content can be vetted, or reviewed, then selected and used on air or placed in their spotlight area and this can make your content become very popular bringing you a ton of hits.
In December 2010, I captured a big abandoned warehouse fire and submitted it to one of our local news station websites. Not only did I get thousands of hits, but I was featured on the site’s front page.
3. Frequency of Your Videos and Web Content
In many cases, more is better. If you put up a larger number of content, you will have a chance to reach a larger number of viewers, which could mean more internet hits. In uploading one, two or three pieces of content per week, you will be following the path of many successful Web content creators.
I get emails from top Yahoo! Contributor Network members almost every day letting me know that they have just published a new piece of content.
Important Note: In everything you create, always try to make it the best quality content and information, even if, in the case of audio and video, the actual audio and video is not top sound or perfect picture quality. See Tip 9.
4. Press Releases/Low Cost Promotions (No Cost but Time)
Although the industry is changing, press releases and similar contact pieces still play an important part in getting the word out. It worked for me! I’ve made radio station and print newspaper connections, also connections with Yahoo! AC’s helped me to perform live on our local/national affiliate TV station. Low cost promos like flyers and cool marketing pieces also work in certain areas, functions and events. But A trend I’m seeing everywhere now is creating a flyer design of whatever you want to promote and tagging friends versus printing thousands of them out and passing them around.
Generally after I upload my content, I search the words ‘submit news’ to see if different sites that I haven’t thought of need any ideas for news or other stories. If so, I may submit text and links through their contact page or send them an e mail. I have gotten great response from individual e mail contacts that fit in the guidelines of what they may be looking to feature.
5. Social Media Outlets
Use the major Social Networking and Social media sites to display your content correctly and in accordance with their terms of use, and your hits, views and clicks can sky rocket. I’ve witnessed videos, articles and even single pictures that have received thousands and thousands of views in my circle of friends.
6. Make Memories In Your Video and Web content
Making memories is a key in nearly everything! From Wedding and Birthday videos and pictures to popular Sitcoms and TV Commercial spots. If you have an element within your content that make viewers want to play it over and over again on their computers and in their minds you have a potential viral video hit on your hands. When you create a piece that others want to share, describe or imitate with their friends the views will come pouring in.
The man that shot his daughter’s laptop created a somewhat crazy, but very memorable video. He also played on the thoughts of millions of parents: What is the best way to discipline your child? Another more likable video that made cool memories was the cat playing an organ.
7. Making Internet Friends/Subscribers/Fans/Followers and Contacts
Subs 4 Subs, be my best blue friend, lets link it up, connect with me. You know the similar terms. The more contacts and connections you have with people on the internet, the more chances you’ll have in spreading one of your creative videos, audio clips or tracks slideshows or articles.
I personally try to search and view a lot of web content, and when I read or see pieces I like, I subscribe because I want to see more. Sometimes that person or company returns the favor because they want to view more of my content as well.
8. Consistency In Your Videos and Web Content
Uploading videos and other web content on a regular basis is always good. Your Internet Friends, Subscribers, Fans Followers and Contacts will know what to expect and just like a network television station’s schedule, when to expect it. In uploading even one video at a scheduled time every week, you will be following the path of many successful web content creators. Your content can get a lot of views, hits and recognition with consistent uploads.
This is the most difficult area for me because I always try to think of new and different things to submit. I always want my material to be better then the last post. Sometimes it’s hard, and when I don’t feel like my content is up to par, I may not upload. Many times I overcome this issue by capturing and uploading videos on popular subjects, current events and short news clips. This influx of ideas and information also helps me to start creating again.
9. Quality In the Video and Other Web Content That You Create
There are two types of quality that I will focus on in this section. Production Quality and Content Quality
Production Quality: Describes the features of the audio and video aspect of a piece of web video content.
Content Quality: Describes the features of the actual content, information or explanation part or portion that makes up your article or web video content.
My Take On Production Quality: Although HD video and other High quality studio produced videos or music tracks can bring a lot of attention and web hits, your content does not have to have the best production quality as long as you make a genuine effort to create A plus products for your audience. Currently one of my most popular videos, which has over 350,000 plus hits, was shot with a dv (non HD camera) and minimal editing skills and after four years it still gets hundreds of hits per month.
My Take on Content Quality: As I mentioned in the section titled frequency, in everything you create always try to make it the best quality content and information. Whether it has a simple or complex meaning. Make sure your viewers have a clear understanding of what you are trying to convey, display or give to them. Speech, grammar, punctuation and proper formatting has its place for certain audiences, but if your followers don’t mind a little cool, hip or hype industry slang give ’em what they want.
10. Advertise All of Your Web Content
Just like in everyday business you need to advertise to keep your business alive. If you advertise the content you create whether with a big or small budget and urge your audience and potential viewers to watch, read or view your content daily, your hits can be much more than you have imagined. Possibly in the multi-millions of hits every year. Internet ads, web impressions, opt-in email blasts or publication print ads, many small advertising plans can work in your favor. Advertising always works!
The above are just a few tips for creating internet hits and broadcast TV views. You can move your web content creation experience to the next level by following them in detail.
