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Getting a video to go viral: Practice, Patience, & Luck

By
Real Estate Agent with The Outer Banks Real Estate Copmpany NC 261870

I have been trying my hand at YouTube for a few years now. I have done virtual tours, news reports, local events, and anything else that I could think of with so-so success. Through all those attempts, I got better with practice. I got better on learning what my audience likes to see, better with writing an interesting description, and better at how to take decent video. Through patience I have been able to continue with practice, and I have been able to find the most important ingredient... Luck.

Luck had me this past Friday driving home from a meeting in the snow. I could have driven the back roads as I would often do to get home from working at Carova Rentals. Instead I decided to drive the beach and shoot some video of my drive along the beach in the snow from behind my windshield. As luck would have it, not even  mile down the beach I find 2 Corolla Wild Horses walking the shoreline. I stopped, fumbled with my smart phone trying to get it out of it's car dock, and jump out just in time to catch this little bit of footage.

No speaking, no music, no special effects. Just 30 seconds of the Corolla Wild Horses enjoying the snow in Carova Beach. I upload it to YouTube, share on Facebook and WHOA!!! It's a hit! 

The next thing I know I have people subscribing to my YouTube feed (something that has never happened before) and even the news channels are sharing it. Here is an excerpt from WTVR in Richmond Virginia.

"COROLLA, N.C. (WTVR) — A video of some wild horses on a snow-covered North Carolina beach is going viral.

The video shows two wild horses trotting along the beach as a flurry of snowflakes swirl and waves crash along the Outer Banks shoreline.

At one point, the horse on the left appears to be spooked by something and jumps. The other horse eventually joins back up and the two continue on their way.

The video,  which was uploaded to YouTube Friday, had been viewed over 15,000 times as of 8 p.m. on Friday."

If you have been trying to figure out how to get more exposure with video, DON'T GIVE UP. Keep trying & practicing, and with luck when that right opportunity comes along you will be ready for it.

 

 

 

Eric Crane -- Your Full Service, Discount Fee Realtor®
DPR Realty LLC - Gilbert, AZ
Greater Metro Phoenix Arizona

Hi Jean Paul -- congratulations on capturing this on video and the additional exposure it brought.  I have been thinking about experimenting with video but I know it would require a learning curve and both practice and patience.  Like all marketing efforts, I wonder whether the time and effort could be better spent elsewhere.  I will check your blog for other posts that might relate to video.  In the meantime, if you have advice regarding the equipment you prefer, etc. that would be welcome.  all the best to you, Eric

Jan 27, 2013 12:13 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

It's great that your area still has them let along walking on the beach! I'm going to send it to my sister who has 2.

Jan 27, 2013 12:19 AM
David Grbich
Realty One Group - www.FindCARealEstate.com - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Orange County Real Estate - 949-500-0484

Very cool that you have wild horses roaming the beaches - congrats on going viral! Regards Dave

Jan 27, 2013 12:50 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Will check out your channel. Real estate video is huge at the show and tell.

Apr 07, 2013 08:01 AM