The various social media platforms that have emerged in the past few years have allowed businesses a cost effective way to market their products and services to the masses.  Among these, YouTube has grown into one of the more popular platforms as it gives people the opportunity to upload and share videos to the millions upon millions of registered users.   From family home videos, to big brand advertisements, YouTube gives its users the opportunity to connect with people through visual content.

With the tens of thousands of videos uploaded per day, many have experienced overwhelming success gaining MILLIONS of views through the process of Internet sharing.  Businesses can benefit from “viral” videos in many ways including gaining exposure to their products while driving traffic to their website.   Take Justin Bieber for example.  The young superstar was first discovered by uploading videos of himself singing at home, which gained immediate exposure and ultimately led to his international success.  These days, someone can become nationally recognized overnight; apply this to your business and the possibilities are endless. Here’s a list of just a few of the best viral video success stories of 2011!

The Force-Volkswagen Commercial

This clever commercial was intended to run in the 2011 Superbowl, but was released early.  The ad went viral on YouTube gaining over 12 million views before it even aired on television!  Currently the commercial has contributed to a boost in sales and has over 45 million hits on YouTube leaving Volkswagen among the most anticipated commercials of the 2012 Superbowl.

Rebecca Black-Friday

One word can best describe Rebecca Black’s music video “Friday”…. awful.  In fact, it was so awful that it gained popularity among Internet users and became YouTube’s most watched video of 2011.  With simplistic lyrics like “Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday, today it is Friday, Friday” Rebecca Black became an internet celebrity overnight and landed herself an interview on Good Morning America, and a cameo spot in Grammy nominated artist, Katy Perry’s music video.

Jorge & Alexa Narvaez Sing “Home”

Jorge Narvaez posted a home video of himself, and his six year old daughter playing an acoustic cover of rock bands, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s “home.”  Little did he know that this video would lead to internet stardom for both him and his daughter.  The post went viral and gained millions of hits which lead the duet to a performance on the Ellen DeGeneres show, and a commercial with Hyundai.