If anyone tells you they know what will go “viral,” they’re lying. We all know the general rules: short, comedic, shocking, funny, sexy. But even those of us immersed in this space are surprised about what we think will go viral (like “Filthy Little Lemon” or “YouTube is My Wife“) and what viewers actually like.
Yesterday I took my camera to the New Orleans Aquarium, but decided I didn’t need another home movie of a field trip. My mom noticed I wasn’t shooting, and pointed out the sting rays that swam above our heads. I was charmed by the sting ray’s funny face, since we don’t usually see the bottom of a sting ray. So I began to collect footage of fishes moving their mouths. I thought it would be fun to have them all singing.
As I looked over the footage, I was memorized. And since I’m on vacation, I don’t have the time or equipment to make a song for the fish. So I opted to compress the video to two minutes, and play it aside Kevin MacLeod‘s soothing piano music. I really liked it, but was pretty sure viewers — who expect comedy or kids in my video — would be turned off.
Then I checked the vital signs today, and was rather surprised. See “more” below for the list to date.
So what’s the lesson? My marketing professor used to say “cows sell,” and I’d augment that with “so do fish.” But it’s also a reminder to create for yourself and not for the audience.
But lest I end on a meaningful note, let me remind you editors of other sites fed by TubeMogul (Revver, Metacafe, Yahoo Video, Viddler, Veoh, Brightcove, AOL Video) that the fish video is on your site as well! Just search “Nalts and Cool Fish.” 
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You were Memorized? You mean Mesmerized? Eh… you probably have the power to turn verbs into adjectives anyway…
And what’s the use of getting featured on the Youtube front page anymore? I bet you’ll only get a fraction of the views you use to get before that jumbled mess…
OH… and speaking of Veoh… if you have time could I talk to you about them? They contacted me about something and I’d like your opinion…
Show off!
And who memorized you anyway? I bet it was one of those beady-eyed sharks. He was looking at you and thinking “uh, a little privacy while I shit in the water please?!! Man, if I ever escape from this hell hole I’m gonna hunt you down and eat your liver. And I’ll probably have some fava beans and a nice merlot. Yeah, that’s right. I hate chianti.”
I liked the fish video.
As for “I really liked it, but was pretty sure viewers — who expect comedy or kids in my video — would be turned off.” My attitude is fuck’em if they don’t like it. It’s your video so make what you like. You gotta stir things up every once in a while.
I really enjoyed the video as well. I, however, was mesmerized. Not sure what being memorized is. Did it hurt?
Beautiful fish,but even beautifuller music,yes beautifuller,i wonder if MDJ heard of that word yet
really nice Kev, nice idea for your channel too.
You’re crazy like a fox, Kevin. An unscripted video of fish swimming. With one that looks like Magibon. Genius. Beautifuller genius. No one could dispute it. Wallstreet always loves a winner.
I liked the fish video too Kevin. It was a refreshing departure from the normal YT drama. It just goes to show that nature can be just as comical and it doesn’t need a script. You have a good eye!
I really liked the fish video, althought i was disappointed that while you were in bikini bottom there were no shots of SpongeBob or patrick (the Star fish). i did see squidward so that was a saving shot!
I thought that was a good video too. As a creator, I like videos like that because they…
1. …show a lot of cool stuff. It is almost like going to a museum myself or looking at a video encyclopedia.
2. …are easy to create. I’ve made videos like this before, and I am not ashamed.
Also Nalts, I sent a new article to you. Post it!
marquis,dont be stealing my new words! btw,u didnt bring your pickup truck widgyadidgya? (jeff foxworthy invented that one!)
lmao@ “An unscripted video of fish swimming”
unscripted? Kevin wrote those parts for the fish
It was a departure from your usual stuff, but like everyone else here, I liked it a lot, too… A good lesson to creators about how not every video has to be high-concept with intricate effects and a cast of thousands (of people anyway).
Nicely done.
At this moment, there are more than 5 MILLION homeless people in China.
Yeah, I thought you were gonna show a video of you jumping the shark!
) It was a very relaxing video!
Hey hey…
Be sure to see mine……