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Viral Video Traffic - Critique My Approach

by Steve Robertson
11 replies
Hello Warriors,

I'm starting an experiment on generating traffic from video on YouTube and other sharing sites. Please let me know what you think of this approach and how to improve it.

The main idea is to make the video viral by making it a part of a "treasure hunt" complete with actual prizes. You could send all the traffic to one website and monetize through AdSense, paid ads or the sale of your own product. Or you could design the game so you send the traffic through the websites of other marketers as part of the search for clues.

This test video is designed for fans of Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, etc. Haven't decided yet what to try to sell them. I'm just waiting to see exactly how much traffic it generates.

#traffic #video #viral video
  • Profile picture of the author Sean A McAlister
    Hey There,

    It is a nice video...but I got lost before it started...

    In order for this video and concept I think that you will need

    to tweak it.

    I feel you need to change the music...it loses you.
    You need to add a human compenent.
    It needs to be attention grabing.



    This does not provoke me to want to send it to all my friends.

    You need to have a clear concise plan of action with a viral video
    and it sounds like you are still working on it.

    good start......I wish you luck

    Sean
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve Robertson
      Hi Sean,

      Thanks for your comments. You must not be a big fan of space operas!

      I think the opportunity to find an actual treasure of great value should grab the attention of a lot of people. But maybe not all "how to make money" marketers. For them, I would design a different type of game.

      Anyone have any idea why my video link puts a box in the message, but doesn't load the YouTube video? I followed the instructions to just put the actual URL of the video in the post.

      Steve R.


      Originally Posted by The IM Reporter View Post

      Hey There,

      It is a nice video...but I got lost before it started...

      In order for this video and concept I think that you will need

      to tweak it.

      I feel you need to change the music...it loses you.
      You need to add a human compenent.
      It needs to be attention grabing.



      This does not provoke me to want to send it to all my friends.

      You need to have a clear concise plan of action with a viral video
      and it sounds like you are still working on it.

      good start......I wish you luck

      Sean
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[15352].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Sean A McAlister
        Hey man....

        just constructive feedback thats all

        you asked about going viral and a critique.

        I am a fan of anything and anyone who can produce viral

        vids.

        I wish you the best of luck

        Sean
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        • Profile picture of the author Steve Robertson
          No offense intended, Sean!

          I appreciate your comments, but I think a critique should be a conversation. Give me an example of how you would add a personal touch. What type of music do you think would be more appropriate for this video?

          You say that viral videos need a plan - and you imply that I don't have one. Well, I do have a plan as outlined in my first message. But in general, true viral videos don't have a plan. That's the very definition of viral - that it spreads without any help from anybody except the fans who are spreading it.

          Originally Posted by The IM Reporter View Post

          Hey man....

          just constructive feedback thats all

          you asked about going viral and a critique.

          I am a fan of anything and anyone who can produce viral

          vids.

          I wish you the best of luck

          Sean
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          • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
            I mostly agree with The IM Reporter. The concept is good, but the music has to go. And, it does need to grab attention better.

            Scratch that. It needs to grab your attention period. The video, as it is, does not grab attention at all. And, as for the explanatory text on the screen, you do realize this isn't 1983 anymore, right?

            It drags on for too long and, had I not been watching to give you feedback, I would not have watched the whole thing. Sorry if I appear harsh, but I think you have a good concept that just needs to be better executed.
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            • Profile picture of the author Steve Robertson
              Haven't you folks ever taken part in treasure hunts before?

              You must be talking about grabbing the attention of "How to Make Money" buyers. Grabbing the attention of people who play treasure hunt games is an entirely different proposition. The introduction to a treasure hunt needs to be mysterious. You don't spend a few hundred words laying out your unique selling proposition and giving them a call to action. The actual prize at the end of the hunt is all the motivation they need.

              Personally, I don't think the background music will have an adverse effect on the test unless it's wildly inappropriate. I prefer acoustic guitar for background music, but that would have been wildly inappropriate for this video. I used the most appropriate loop from Garageband to avoid having to buy background music for a test video.

              Likewise, I'm well known for preferring live actors or voiceovers in videos I do for clients, but that would be a waste of money in this test video.

              Drags on? It's a minute and fourteen seconds of some of NASA's best animation.

              When I ask for a critique, I expect constructive criticism - not a rant on features that are a matter of subjective opinion.

              Steve R.


              Originally Posted by dotcro View Post

              I mostly agree with The IM Reporter. The concept is good, but the music has to go. And, it does need to grab attention better.

              Scratch that. It needs to grab your attention period. The video, as it is, does not grab attention at all. And, as for the explanatory text on the screen, you do realize this isn't 1983 anymore, right?

              It drags on for too long and, had I not been watching to give you feedback, I would not have watched the whole thing. Sorry if I appear harsh, but I think you have a good concept that just needs to be better executed.
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              • Profile picture of the author J. Barry Mandel
                Hi Steve,

                I agree with everyone else - cann the music. I'm all for indian music, I have it on my Ipod, but it doesn't fit your video.

                I like the idea and I love some of that stock NASA footage

                But, I'm not seeing the viral componant though...
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                • Profile picture of the author Finsburyparkranger
                  Sorry dude, i think your main problem with this idea is that its a treasure hunt. This means that anyone with the first clue (your video) will not want to share it because it will put them at a disadvantage and yet you are hoping they will do the opposite. I might be wrong though. Just gut feeling. However if you are into treasure hints, make sure you are aware of masquerade and what went wrong. It is my favorite book of all time. Remember the book sold because it was a real work of art first, a treasure hunt second.

                  Masquerade & The Mysteries of Kit Williams
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                • Profile picture of the author Steve Robertson
                  Thanks, Justin!

                  Your reply is a great example of constructive criticism without unnecessary harshness. I never saw the music as Indian, although I do hear a little sitar. Garageband calls this loop "Celestial Body," which sounds pretty appropriate for a video showing a lot of celestial bodies. But I'll change it if I can find something better.

                  What I was looking for all along was a critique of the idea of using a treasure hunt to generate traffic. The viral component is that treasure hunters and space opera fans will tell each other about the game.

                  The way I see it, the marketing component is separate from the viral component. No matter how much traffic you get from the game, a talented marketer (which I am not) will have to figure out the most effective way to use that traffic.

                  Steve R.


                  Originally Posted by qouncturist View Post

                  Hi Steve,

                  I agree with everyone else - cann the music. I'm all for indian music, I have it on my Ipod, but it doesn't fit your video.

                  I like the idea and I love some of that stock NASA footage

                  But, I'm not seeing the viral componant though...
                  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[15939].message }}
              • Profile picture of the author Sean A McAlister
                Steve,

                With all due respect. Your thread says Viral Video Traffic- Critique my approach.

                It does not matter what you are promoting.

                The issue is getting to go Viral.

                I am not going to include these video's because i am not going to waste my time looking for them.

                have you seen the video on youtube where people are popping pop corn with cell phones?

                4 video's were made
                -each had a human aspect
                -each engaged the viewer
                -each provoked an action on the viewer
                -each were unique.

                What were they promoting? Blue Tooth Technology.

                Have you seen the video for the "The Secret"
                same principles apply as above
                what was it promoting
                Health and Well being.

                There are hundred more.



                Now watch you video....see the issue...can you see the difference.

                The critique is quite basic and does not need a lot of explanation.
                You need to tweak your video

                I cannot offer you more information ...because as you pointed out in your post, you are not sure exactly what it is your end objective is.

                It seems as if you need to take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth.

                And if this is an attempt to keep bumping your post so that people will watch your video....in hopes of making it go viral.....it is not working.
                which means....you need to tweak your video.

                Just because you may like county music....does not mean everyone else does. You need mass appeal.

                If you want to promote a treasure hunt

                1. Get rid of the Start Trek Theme.
                2. Give it a Wow Factor ( you need a plan of attack)
                3. Change the music ( up beat tempo...or no music...perhaps a voice overlay instead.)
                4. Make it Dynamic and Unique ( if you are going for the stars and universe gig then get better graphics, GET BETTER MUSIC and up-to date visuals.

                If you want a conversation about it....you need to provide more detail and a better video.

                As I mentioned earlier....I was lost with it before I ever started.

                You have less than 20 seconds to capture your viewer and give them an idea of what it is that you are offering, promoting, story telling etc....AND THAT IS FACT.

                Your video does not do that.

                You video needs to be up to date..
                Fresh
                Innovative
                Crisp
                ATTENTION GRABBING

                Sean
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  • Profile picture of the author kceleb9
    I don't think there is anything wrong with this as an idea... it does rely alot on the "novelty factor" of searching in a treasure hunt type of fashion - and of course it costs time and money to produce something of good quality -- so it would be interesting to note now it compares from a cost effectiveness point of view.
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