Going Viral

Online video is about the only context in which a virus is a good thing. A viral video spreads, almost organically, until it has infected popular culture. But this type of virus doesn't cause disease or disorder. Instead, viral videos have been known to induce laughter and amusement in those who watch.

No one is quite sure how a viral video begins. Some successful viral videos are carefully crafted and expensively produced, others involve nothing more than a kid and a camcorder. A many, many videos that try to go viral dry up and disappear when viewers stop pressing the "send to a friend" button.

There's no set way to guarantee viral stardom, but these tips will get you started making a viral video. Good luck!