We all know YouTube as the playground for the bored and procrastinating masses of under appreciated office workers. But did you know that YouTube is also the Mecca of viral advertising for the young turks that have learned to game it for their own benefit? 2.8 million clicks, hundreds of mainstream media stories and network television interviews can't be wrong. Viral video was able to catapult an aspiring actress into infamy in less than 48 hours by staging one of YouTube's most viewed videos of a "bride" hacking off her hair right before the big day. Think you have the cajones to add YouTube to your advertising arsenal? Find out if you can stomach what it takes to be a viral video vixen, with this 5 step program.

Lengendary YouTube video of “bridezilla chopping off her hair”

Just in case, you missed the predecessor to this post that explains the theory behind viral marketing, get caught up with this required reading:

Are you contagious: viral marketing 101

Viral video is a god-send to small and large businesses alike.  It is FREE publicity and way to reach the advertising over sensitized market of today through trendy, new interactive channels like YouTube, iFilm and VH1's Web Junk 2.0.  As more big businesses build offbeat ad campaigns like Vonage and Burger King, smaller businesses are finding it easier and cheaper to compete with viral video campaigns of their own. Why?

It’s cheap. You can create your own viral video on a shoestring budget with just a few friends and a video camera, then upload it to YouTube for free.

You can reach a huge audience. There is no other way your video can spread so quickly to a large audience for so little cost than by uploading it to YouTube or iFilm. Enlist your friends and associates so you get an implied endorsement and further spread your message.

You can build your reputation. Create a regular “show” out of your videos by publishing new episodes regularly. If you create good, quality information or humorous skits, you can quickly be recognized as an expert or online “celebrity” on par with LonelyGirl15. And when you have the reputation as being an expert or a celebrity, you sell more homes and attract more clients.

You can combine it with other marketing methods. This is a method you absolutely should be using with your email marketing, blog and newsletter programs. Email is still the most effective way of spreading your virus.

How to use YouTube to build celebrity for your business

1. Enlist a core team of "accomplices."  The simple fact is, you can't stage an assault on the Internet alone.  You'll need someone to film the event and at least one or two other key players to make the whole thing look authentic.  If you know a few aspiring actors/actresses in your town, get them involved.

2. Loosely write a funny and crazy script that centers on the real estate business.  For example, show a house (not a real listing- your house, a neighbor's or family member's home), re-enact something wacky that you may have experienced or even heard about happening in the industry. Throw in a little real estate education, but remember, the goal is to make the video funny enough to be passed on so focus on hamming up the script. (If you and your cast are comfortable, let them improvise a script and only give them a general plot.)

Read also: Craziest Real Estate Story

3. Lights. Camera. Action. Set the scene, get your hubby to hold the camera and go for an Oscar with the best acting you and your supporting cast can manage. You want to make this look relatively unedited and very “reality TV-like” so try to capture the event in a single shot. Shaky camera is fine. 

Recommended Digital Camcorder: Sony HandyCam

If you have to edit the video, try Adobe Premiere Elements

4. Upload your video to YouTube. One you have your video ready, simply create a profile on YouTube and upload your video.

5. Market the heck out of it. If you have a blog, embed your YouTube video in your blog. Then, the real trick is to get your video voted on, so email everyone you know (family, friends, co-workers, old boyfriends, whoever) and ask them to vote on it and pass it on.   Once you have built some street cred on YouTube, have someone call up local newspapers and TV stations and alert them to the local YouTube celeb. Hey, sometimes free press requires a push!

Read also: How to embed YouTube videos in your blog

Oh, but that’s not professional…

That is my favorite complaint about why people wouldn’t stage a viral campaign. What is professional? Companies like Coca Cola, Exxon, Honda, VH-1 and even Ford have all used offbeat, viral video campaigns to build awareness for brands, events and promotions. Aren’t those professional companies? So, when someone says staging an online viral video campaign is not professional, then what they are really saying is that they are not leading edge. They are what we call in the tech industry “bleeding edge.” YouTube marketing and viral video is a hipster version of America's Funniest Home Videos. It’s the hot thing that everybody is doing, so put your traditional ad ideas away and hop onboard this trend train, just be sure to bring your digital video camera!

Read also: Guerrilla Marketing 101

FYI: stay tuned for RSS Pieces viral video show now in production, “The Office.” This totally unscripted office sketch show features John and his Mountain Dew fueled development team doing what geeks do best, entertaining the rest of us.

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