A recent conversation on Twitter about online PR for small businesses with PR, social media and marketing pro Karina Alvela revealed much about branding, viral videos and converting customers online. Who knew six little questions could yield so much awesome info? Check out these great tips below:

What makes a person want to follow a brand online?
-Contests and Deals. People like to follow brands and tell their friends about it when they have the opportunity to win something or get a discount.

-Status. People like being grouped with other people that like the same brand. If the brand is upscale, they like being associated with the status of it.

-Receive information. People follow brands to stay informed on new products, events, news etc.
The lesson: brand loyalty prompts people to follow brands! That’s what keeps companies in business, remaining relative with consumers. Offers are good, but connections can be powerful too. It’s all about content when it comes to social media.

What are the characteristics of viral videos that we should infuse into our own work?
-Keep it short (under a minute), crazy headlines, exciting or funny sound bites within a clip makes it catchy/sticky.

-Try to have a really catchy song or interesting main character. The video should also have ability to be remixed.