What a savvy teenaged Youtube star can teach you about viral videos
I love a good viral video as much as the next person, but I used to think that it’s nearly impossible to create your own viral video sensation, and even harder to monetize it.
Then my middle-school daughter insisted on introducing me to annoying, squeaky-voiced Fred. Fred is a high school youtube phenomenon who routinely gets 5-6 million views on his videos, and who has not escaped the attention of advertising agencies and major media. Not at all.
(Shut up, Sean. There is nothing wrong with learning marketing from the younger generation. Not that you’ve said anything yet but I’m sure that you will.)
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc20081118_508970.htm
Fred’s gig is portraying a hyperactive, disfunctional six year old with a high squeaky voice and a crazy family. Teens and many adults think he’s hilarious. He became a HUGE viral hit on Youtube, and now makes six figures a year promoting products in his videos.
And it was entirely planned on his part. He didn’t do it just to be cute and funny and show off to a few friends; he wants to be a Hollywood actor, and has already appeared on a Nickelodeon show as a result of his Youtube fame. And he planned it down to the details of what day he releases his videos, in order to generate the most buzz amongst his fellow high school students.
Since then, he’s been paid to promote the movie City of Ember and a wireless messaging device called Zipit, among other things. http://www.fredonzipit.com/
So, irritating as Fred’s videos are to many adults, he is one smart businessman. Er, businessboy.
9 Responses to “What a savvy teenaged Youtube star can teach you about viral videos”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
January 9th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Im not so sure that it was his plan to become this big…so no kudos there by me…
A great example of how to become a success by being an idiot.
And i got SLAMMED because i posted a Hot Chick who is college educated. Hey Dana…lets get you on You Tube…I can beat you with a Pool Noodle…and you can squeal like a piggy.!
Do you think that would make us a hit on YouTube and get the money flowing in? Im just sayin!
January 9th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
“A great example of how to become a success by being an idiot”…ummm…so shouldn’t you be rich by now, Sean?
But seriously folks…
The kid in that video has discussed how he made those videos because he wanted to get the attention of Hollywood, how he planned on what day would be best to release the videos – how is that not planning to become big?
When you make a video that gets 5 million views, THEN you can go talking smack about this kid.
As for money – jeez – I’m WORKING on it! Slavedriver.
January 9th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Interesting to say the least, but with all due respect that was the most irritating 3 minutes I have ever spent watching a video. Let me understand this. Fred is making Oodles of money with this “gig” and we wonder what is going on with this country? Why we have high unemployment, why we are bailing out the rich and watching kids making millions? Welcome to the revolution? Maybe, thanks for introducing me to the latest viral
January 9th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I know that a lot of people find Fred’s videos annoying. My point is more that he planned out how to make these videos go viral and they did. People don’t necessarily have to make themselves sound like a kindergartener on helium to achieve a similar affect.
January 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Well…I wouldn’t say he’s making oodles of money with his videos, but he does well I’m sure. I think the payout for YouTub (YT)e partners is about $800 for every million views. I’m sure he wanted to get the attention of Hollywood, but I seriously doubt he thought he’d go this viral this fast.
I used to consult for a big time YouTube’r and I could almost always predict where and when to post the videos to get a large number of views.
Fred is annoying for sure, but he’s taken that annoying image and making bucks.
January 9th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I don’t think he’s making a fortune from Youtube – the money comes from endorsement deals where he pimps out products during his videos.
I will concede that he may not have guessed he’d get tens of millions of views – but I do think he’s not an accidental success either.
January 9th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I think he uploaded a video to be silly, then realized he could capitalize on it after one of the first ones went viral. That’s my take on it all.
Love or hate him, he’s making $$$.
January 10th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Great Blog and pretty creative video. Keep up the good work. Saw the link on Twitter.
July 6th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
I took my first mortgage loans when I was 20 and it supported my relatives very much. But, I need the sba loan over again.