How to make a viral video (a practical guide with UGC examples)

A viral video doesn’t happen by chance. Behind every trend taking TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts by storm are strategy, technique and creativity.

Virality depends on factors such as:

• The initial hook.
• The emotion it evokes.
• The short, dynamic format.
• And, above all, whether the video feels authentic (this is where UGC comes in).

But this is a visual hook in the article, designed to grab your attention and keep you reading.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

1. What makes a video go viral.
2. Key factors behind virality on social media.
3. How to use UGC to boost reach and sales.
4. Examples of real viral scripts for brands.
5. Technical tips for filming and editing.
6. SEO strategies to make your video last longer over time.

A viral video is one that manages to reach hundreds of thousands or millions of people in a very short time. To do so, it must meet certain conditions:

• Spontaneous humor: the classic video of someone trying a snack and reacting exaggeratedly (“WTF, this is amazing!”).
• Quick tutorials: videos like “3 tricks to save time with this app” work especially well.
• Before and after: transforming a room, getting a haircut or using a cosmetic product.
• Pets and reactions: a dog trying a new toy and reacting excitedly → guaranteed engagement.

And yes, brands make viral videos too:

👉 The easier it is to understand and share, the more likely it is to go viral.

User Generated Content (UGC) is any content created by real users or creators, not by the brand.
Why does it work so well?

• It feels authentic, not like advertising.
• It builds trust: “if someone like me uses it, I can too.”
• It delivers a higher ROI than traditional ads.

• Real testimonial: “I tried this shampoo for 2 weeks… and this is the result.”
• First-person POV: “Your face when you see this product is 50% off today only.”
• Comparison: “This is how much it costs in-store vs. what I got it for online on Black Friday.”
• Creative unboxing: opening a package with trendy music and eye-catching subtitles.

Go viral with a UGC video.

👉 At HICARI, you can order custom UGC videos from €70 and use them in viral campaigns.

Examples:

• Awareness → funny sketch-style video (parodying something common works really well. Take that approach to your industry or business!)
• Consideration → compare (it doesn’t have to be between brands; you can use absurd references), reference well-known people (controversial or impossible to ignore), etc.
• Conversion → testimonial with a purchase CTA, use your USP…

Examples:

• Humor → someone deliberately failing in an everyday situation.
• Surprise → an unexpected cooking trick.
• Admiration → a specific destination in a lesser-known trip location with spectacular views.
• Nostalgia → phrases like “Who else remembers this?”.
• Unexpected trick → “I didn’t know this button on my phone could do this…”.

Example of a viral script (confessional style):

🎬 Shot: close-up, front-facing camera.
🗣 “Nobody’s going to tell you this, but that product you buy from that website everyone shops from “with one click”… you could make it at home for half the price.”
📌 CTA: “Would you try it? Comment ‘I would’ and I’ll send you the tutorial.”

Examples:

• A creator filming with a phone in the kitchen (for food products).
• An amateur influencer in front of the mirror (for clothing).
• A POV walking down the street (for mobility apps).

Editing examples:

• Fast-changing karaoke-style subtitles.
• Viral TikTok music.
• Subtle zooms + text transitions.

• SEO with videos: TikTok and Instagram already appear on Google. Use keyword-rich titles: “How to do X in 10 seconds”.
• Positive engagement bait: ask people to comment a keyword (“comment ‘recipe’ and I’ll send you the PDF”). Calculate Instagram post engagement here.
• Negative hooks: “Never pay for this again…”.
• Specific niche: videos for mothers, freelancers, students → more connection, more shares.

The ultimate trick: humor. It always works, always entertains and amuses.

🎬 Shot: before/after in a mirror.
🗣 “I thought it was hormonal acne… it was just this perfumed cream. After 3 weeks…”

🎬 Mirror shot, garment in hand.
🗣 “This isn’t just a T-shirt. It’s who you are. Yes, you wear Star Wars T-shirts and everyone knows you’re a geek, so what? Mention that geeky friend who’s a Star Wars fan.”

🎬 POV using an app with a hidden hack.
🗣 “Did you know iPhones emit more electromagnetic radiation than Android phones… Now that I have your attention, let me tell you that… At X company, they’re offering 15% off on…”

🎬 Surprise POV: couple arriving at a secret destination.
🗣 “I didn’t know where we were going… and I ended up having the best weekend of my life. Stay tuned and I’ll tell you where and how this surprise trip went…”

🎬 A dog trying a new snack.
🗣 On-screen text: “My dog hadn’t looked at me like that since I cooked him his first steak.”

• Clean your phone camera lens (yes, it sounds obvious, but it makes a difference).
• Record in 4K or at the highest resolution your smartphone allows. It seems obvious, but export at the highest quality from the app you edit in.
• Never neglect audio: invest in a microphone if necessary. Don’t buy it on Temu, do me a favor.
• Avoid ugly framing or backlighting.
• Use good lighting (natural light or a ring light).

Depending on your subject matter or approach, your lighting may not need to be the brightest, and that’s OK. For example:

Recording the video isn’t enough; you need to distribute it properly:

• Upload it in vertical format (9:16).
• Post on multiple platforms (TikTok, Reels, Shorts).
• Use trending + niche hashtags.
• Share it in your newsletter or private community.
• DO NOT share it in Stories immediately after uploading it; share it hours later with a clear CTA to encourage people to click.
• Retarget with that video in Meta Ads (UGC Ads)

Mega tip: use Edits instead of CapCut. Yes, you have far fewer editing options, but Instagram will reward you when you upload it through its official app. That’s a fact.

• Use UGC creators (they know all this)
• Hook within 3 seconds.
• Clear and universal emotion.
• Under 30 seconds.
• Subtitles + viral music.
• Native editing apps for each social network (Edits, TikTok Studio).
• CTA to comment or share.
• Good lighting and audio.
• Published on multiple platforms with different copy, titles…

Making a viral video is no longer a matter of luck or whether the boss or CM likes it: it’s a mix of creativity, emotion, technique and distribution strategy.

UGC is the best tool for multiplying your chances: authentic, relatable and easy-to-share content. Because they know how to hook viewers, create hooks, tell stories and edit.

👉 Download the complete course worth €350 for free at How to make a viral video and learn through practical step-by-step examples how to multiply your brand’s reach.