These days, viral videos are everywhere. And everyone wants one. That's because they're a cheap way to spread your message to the world.

The trouble is, what makes a video viral is often not understood until it has gone viral. There are many videos out there that have all the elements of the videos that get millions of hits, but they languish in obscurity. There are other videos that don't seem to have any magic, and yet they hit the front page of every social media site.

Is there a magic formula? Well, let's take a look.

First, What Exactly is a Viral Video?

Well, quite simply, it's a video that becomes popular without having any traditional advertising to support it. Viral videos are passed around via email, Internet sites and cell phones. In effect, the general public becomes the driver of the video's immense popularity.