Watch, Feel, Share: How Emotion-Fueled Videos Propel (Viral) Engagement

Of the thousands of hospital or healthcare videos, few will ever “go viral.” But nearly all online videos that hit the big time circuit—being shared and shared again—will be fueled by emotion.

Of the thousands of hospital or healthcare videos, few will ever “go viral.” But nearly all online videos that hit the big time circuit—being shared and shared again—will be fueled by emotion.

It’s emotions that make marketing campaigns get noticed, attract viewers and go viral, according to research reported by the Harvard Business Review (HBR). Viral videos, HBR reports, “generate high levels of social engagement, sharing, and brand interaction, which can lead to sharp increases in digital brand advocacy.”

You likely know this from your own experience that if you watch something (let’s say a hospital video), you react with feelings, and are inclined—perhaps compelled—to share the video (and the experience) with others. Watch…feel…share. That’s the essential countdown to a viral launch.

The HBR post is an excellent presentation of how and why this happens, including big brand-name case examples, and these three steps to creating content that people will share:

1. Write a compelling title
2. Use strong emotional drivers to make people care and share
3. Create content the strikes the correct emotional chords

Although it sounds simple enough, it’s still a challenge to accomplish. To illustrate the concept, however, here are three videos that have the right chemistry. We can’t confirm that they all “went viral,” but we bet one or more will have you reaching for the “share” button (and maybe a tissue.)

“Brave” at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital

The back story here is that this video was the handiwork of two nurses—working on their off time—who wanted to create a fun video featuring their patients and staff members of Unit 5. (Inspired by Sara Bareilles’ music video, this one went viral.)  [3:45] 

“Roar” CHAD: Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock

The combined talents of patients, parents, doctors, nurses and hospital administrators covered this Katy Perry hit single. [3:53] 

The Hospital Window: Hallmark SpiritClips Original

Hallmark has a lock on the “Watch, Feel, Share” concept of emotional transportation. (It’s the trademark of their SpiritClips business.) Although not a hospital or a music video, they show us how it’s done. In this brief inspirational clip a patient entertains his blind roommate with stories about a couple in the park. [4:37]

If you liked our video examples, please share this post with a colleague.