3 Things to Learn from OK Go’s Viral Videos

Screen Shot 2016-01-07 at 5.08.05 AM
OK Go are well-known for their highly impressive, well-choreographed, quirky music videos. But before companies sponsored them, they started out with simple, low-budget, dances to their songs. Their creativity has gained them widespread popularity on Youtube and pushes them to work on videos that just keep getting better and better. Here are several key things to learn from their massive hits!

Get Creative with a Low Budget

Differentiate yourself from other musicians. The video that started it all was “A Million Ways”. Having a simple, one-shot dance video was out of the norm from what other bands were doing. It attracted over a million views – and very few resources went into making it. Choreographed by the lead singer’s sister, the video was only filmed in a backyard. They followed up with another dance video, this time on treadmills, for “Here it Goes Again.” This too received huge commercial success – setting the stage for their collection of successful, viral videos.


Use Details To Your Advantage

The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail. The choreography, the color coordination, and all the props that OK Go use are very carefully planned out. This is clearly evident in their music video for “This Too Shall Pass” which features the workings of a Rube Goldberg Machine. This contraption creates a large-scale domino effect that, if shot in one take, has to be extremely precise. If you focus less on theatrics, and more on how you can make something look impressive – there are no boundaries to your creativity.

Make Use of Cool Technology

In OK Go’s case, their sponsors hook them up with brand new equipment to use in each video. In “Need/Getting,” the band drove a Chevrolet Sonic through a desert, striking 1000 instruments that played the melody of their song.  In their latest video, “I Won’t Let You Down,”the band sings and dances on Honda provided UNI-CUBS. You don’t necessarily need to display state-of-the-art technology in your videos, but addressing currently-trending tech (iphones, hoverboards, GoPros), settings, clothes, or other equipment in your videos may appeal to a larger crowd.


No matter how expensive or cheap their equipment, there’s no denying that the band’s sheer ingenuity and planning make their videos such a delight. OK, now Go make a great video!

If you’re interested to get your YouTube video discovered by masses of targeted fans, click this link : www.promolta.com

Michelle Nguyen is a creative writer whose passions include music, sports, health, and wellness. She loves playing drums and bass guitar, as well as swimming. If she indirectly helps you write the next “Stairway to Heaven,” she will be very happy.

Leave a Comment