16 Viral Shorts Ideas That Feel ILLEGAL To Know

Summary

This video script explores 16 short video ideas that have the potential to go viral in 2024, based on a Reddit study analyzing successful short-form content. Ideas range from 'overrated Norm' alternatives to 'day in the life' narratives, with tips on creating compelling intros and engaging content. The speaker ranks each idea on a tier list, discussing factors like applicability, originality, and emotional trigger, while also providing a tutorial on creating animated captions to boost views.

Takeaways

• 📈 'Overrated Norm' short videos suggest alternatives to popular products or services, and can be surprisingly successful even for small channels.
• 🔍 Reddit studies indicate certain formats are more likely to go viral, such as 'Don't buy blank, get this instead' for introducing an 'Overrated Norm'.
• 🚫 An alternative to the 'Overrated Norm' is the 'Why I don't use' format, which challenges commonly used brands or websites and can also attract significant views.
• 📦 'What I ordered vs. what I got' shorts visually compare expectations with reality and have the potential for high views, despite being niche-specific.
• 💥 'Controversial take' shorts start with a provocative statement and can trigger emotional responses, leading to increased views.
• 🔑 'I tried X' shorts allow creators to share their experiences with various products or services, appealing to viewers who want to avoid making the same mistakes.
• 🚫 'Specific thing attainer' shorts offer advice on achieving a specific goal, but may lack originality due to saturation.
• 🏆 'My story' shorts build a relationship with the audience by sharing personal achievements and the journey to reach them.
• ⚠️ 'Before you buy' shorts provide cautionary advice or essential information before making a purchase, but may require multiple attempts for success.
• 🗣️ 'Authority advice' shorts leverage the creator's expertise or experience to offer valuable insights, but require genuine authority on the subject.
• 🤔 'This is your sign' shorts identify signs that suggest it's time for a change or action, resonating with viewers who are contemplating such steps.
• 🚫 'Red flags' shorts warn about potential issues in various contexts, but may be less universally applicable than other formats.
• 🏆 'Go-to thing' shorts recommend a creator's favorite products or methods, but can become repetitive if overused.
• 👀 'Day in the life' shorts offer a glimpse into unique lifestyles or professions, engaging viewers with storytelling.
• 🔍 'Hidden in plain sight' shorts reveal common misconceptions or incorrect uses of everyday items, which can be highly engaging if presented well.
• 💔 'Specific Avatar callout' shorts target a specific audience segment with tailored content, but success can depend on algorithmic reach.
• 📝 'Tips and tricks' shorts share helpful advice for a particular niche, easy to create but may be over-saturated.
• 🔑 'Specific pain remover' shorts address a specific problem or pain point and offer solutions, standing out with a unique angle on common issues.

Q & A

What is the 'overrated Norm' short format in content creation?

The 'overrated Norm' short format involves presenting a commonly accepted or popular product or service as overrated and suggesting an alternative that is considered better or more cost-effective. Examples given in the script include recommending an alternative to Photoshop or the RTX 470 graphics card.

How can a small channel with 1,000 subscribers achieve 152,000 views on a short?

A small channel can achieve a high number of views on a short by creating content that resonates with a larger audience, such as following viral formats that have been proven to attract views, like the 'overrated Norm' short mentioned in the script.

What is the 'What I ordered versus what I got' short format?

The 'What I ordered versus what I got' short format involves showing a comparison between what was expected upon ordering a product or service and what was actually received. This format has been successful in generating millions of views, as mentioned in the script.

Why do controversial take shorts have the potential to go viral?

Controversial take shorts can go viral because they elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers, which can lead to increased engagement, shares, and views. The script suggests starting such a short with a statement that might be controversial to grab attention.

What is the 'I tried X' short format and how does it work?

The 'I tried X' short format involves the creator trying out a product, service, or experience and then sharing their honest review or experience with it. The script suggests starting with a hook like 'I tried [product/service] so you don't have to' to engage viewers.

How does the 'Specific thing attainer' short format capture viewers' interest?

The 'Specific thing attainer' short format starts with a statement that implies the viewer can achieve a specific goal or outcome, such as 'Stop scrolling if you want [specific thing]', which piques curiosity and prompts viewers to watch to learn how to attain that thing.

What is the 'My story' short format and why can it build a relationship with the audience?

The 'My story' short format involves the creator sharing a personal story or experience related to a specific achievement or event. This format can build a relationship with the audience by showing a more personal side and making the creator relatable.

What is the 'Before you buy' short format and how does it provide value to viewers?

The 'Before you buy' short format is a cautionary approach where the creator advises viewers to watch the short before making a purchase decision. It provides value by offering insights or information that could influence the viewer's decision, as suggested in the script.

How does the 'Authority advice' short format leverage the creator's expertise?

The 'Authority advice' short format starts with a statement that implies the creator has authority on a subject, such as 'Here's something I realized in my [age/position]', and then shares advice or insights based on that authority.

What is the 'This is your sign' short format and how does it resonate with viewers?

The 'This is your sign' short format involves the creator presenting three signs or reasons that suggest the viewer should take a specific action or consider a particular idea. It resonates by directly addressing the viewer's potential thoughts or desires.

Why might the 'Red flags' short format be less applicable across various niches?

The 'Red flags' short format, while useful for identifying warning signs in certain contexts, might be less applicable across various niches because it requires a specific subject matter where red flags are relevant and can be effectively communicated to the audience.

What is the 'Go-to thing' short format and its potential limitation?

The 'Go-to thing' short format involves the creator sharing their preferred choice for a particular category, such as 'This is my go-to pre-workout drink'. The potential limitation, as mentioned in the script, is that creators may run out of unique 'go-to' items to share after a while.

How does the 'Day in the life' short format engage viewers?

The 'Day in the life' short format engages viewers by providing an inside look into the daily routine or experiences of an interesting character or profession. It appeals to curiosity and offers a narrative that viewers can follow.

What is the 'Hidden in plain sight' short format and its potential for virality?

The 'Hidden in plain sight' short format involves revealing a common mistake or misconception about a frequently used item or activity. Its potential for virality comes from the surprise factor and the sharing of new information that challenges the viewer's existing knowledge.

What is the 'Specific Avatar callout' short format and its reliance on algorithmic distribution?

The 'Specific Avatar callout' short format targets a specific group of people by addressing their shared experiences or challenges. Its success can rely on the algorithm effectively distributing the content to the intended audience, which can make it hit or miss.

How does the 'Tips and tricks' short format offer value to viewers?

The 'Tips and tricks' short format offers value by sharing specific insights or shortcuts related to a niche or activity. It provides actionable advice that viewers can immediately apply, making it a popular format for educational content.

What is the 'Specific pain remover' short format and its approach to problem-solving?

The 'Specific pain remover' short format directly addresses a viewer's pain point or struggle and offers solutions or explanations. It takes a problem-solving approach by first identifying the issue and then providing ways to overcome it.