Dr Pepper's Creative Team Should Receive An Award!

Viral videos may appear to be up to chance at times, or have large budgets behind them, but sometimes a great story can spend years on the Internet because it includes some very important qualities.

+Dr Pepper  has created a very emotional story that not only includes a cute homeless fur baby, but a happy ending too.  The first time I saw this video on Facebook, I knew that Dr Pepper had created a viral video just as +Budweiser Brew House  has created many beautiful emotional viral videos in the past.  When you feel an emotional tie to the story, you continue to watch it through its entirety to see the ending.  If the story hits you personally, then the possibility that you will share with your friends and family is greatest.

The following are a few tips that can help someone create that viral video that will be shared through the Internet for years to come.

Making a video that people enjoy and want to show their friends.

Dr Pepper shared a story that included a cute homeless fur baby walking through his town looking lonely, dirty, and unapproachable.  Something that all rescue groups can emotionally tie themselves too as they see this on a daily basis. It also hits the hearts of every person who doesn’t volunteer to rescue, but donates funds to help heal the hearts of the homeless fur babies.

Shorter is sweeter

Did you notice that the video was less than 1.5 minutes?  They were able to tell a story, without words, using a variety of short video clips, and even a happy ending that we were all looking for.  Make sure that you video is less than 1.5 minutes.  We are in the immediate gratification era that doesn’t want to be kept on a line waiting too long.  Shorter the video the better if you are able to get your story across with some emotions included.

Sharable and likable

Do you believe that Dr Pepper created a story that is likable by many people?  Fur babies are loved by many and are usually the best viral videos per marketing experts.  Using a specific breed for the video gives us the idea that the fur baby is homeless without having to use a true homeless fur baby.  We also think he is homeless through the video clips that include the daily walk through town and the other doggies moving across the sidewalk when he walks beside them.  The happy ending is the most important so that people get excited and want to share the video with others.

Even though there was not one word used in this video, we can get a feel for the emotions that not only the fur baby had, but the Dr Pepper truck driver.

Reel your viewers in with a story

Did Dr Pepper reel you in to the story line?  I know I was watching with my complete attention to make sure that the fur baby was going to be ok.  I even got worried when I saw the shelter sign and wondered if it was a no-kill shelter.  Seeing the happy fur baby jump up in the car at the end was a relief and emotional jolt that I felt.  It even made me write this blog post the very minute I finished watching it and sharing it on social media.

Make it easy to be publicized

I mentioned sharing the video on social media channels, but I used the original YouTube link instead of sharing the post that I found on Facebook. After you have made a compelling video with a great story, share it with people who would care about what you have to say.  Encourage them to share it with others and you have started the ripples of virality!

Dr Pepper made sure that the commercial was posted on their YouTube channel, shared on all Dr Pepper social networks, and will be using this on TV to drive more Internet shares.  When I posted this video on my blog, I was able to use the ‘embed’ button found on YouTube.  This is a special setting that must be set when you create your YouTube channel.

They made sure that this video was tagged and named for easy Google searches.  If someone didn’t see a post on the Internet, but wanted to find it with a search they would be able to find it easily.

Make sure you are allowing anyone and everyone to find your video or see your video on social networks, blogs, websites, etc.…  If they can’t find it, it won’t be shared or go viral.

I challenge you to write a script for your viral video and begin working on the publicity plan for the video launch.  Don’t create a video without a plan to launch it or you won’t get the publicity that you so desire.  Plan ahead and you will be excited about the results.

Don't forget to share this article on your favorite social network.  Your network of friends, clients, family, and others may need help with their fall marketing.