Put the Power of Viral Marketing to Work For You

When the term viral marketing is used, peopleand viral nature of marketing. They have
often think spam or malicious computer killingconsistently sold out concerts throughout their
software sent through email. the term of coursecareer.
refers to the idea of speeding a message, joke, aTheir intergenerational fans have done most of
video or other piece of information that excitesthe selling for them over the years.
us momentarily and is then passed on to othersDigital products are perfect for viral transmission.
for their own show, amusement or amazement.Whether it is a video of someone's cat wearing a
Viral marketing is any method that is used toballet outfit or the Jib Jab animations of our
encourage someone to pass on a marketingpresidential candidates, we are captivated by the
message to someone else. This creates themessage and with a mouse click able to send the
domino effect of one person passing it on tofile or a link to it off to our friends and family. We
another and another and so on. The potential forhave not even touched the product, it all
exponential growth is enormous because if youhappened without physical contact.
really are impacted by a new game, video orSociologists say that each person has a network
some piece of useful software, you will with aof 8 to 12 people in their close network of
little prompting pass it on to others as withfriends, family, and associates. The theory of Six
pleasure.Degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a
So how does it work? Viral marketing appeals toperson is one step away from each person they
several emotional factors in us; the most obviousknow and two steps away from each person
of which is curiosity. Once we get the "gift"who is known by one of the people they know,
opened, if we like it and it the viral messagethen everyone is an average of six "steps" away
leaves us in a heightened state. If it's funny, wefrom
laugh a little louder; if it's scary we feel it moreViral marketing takes advantage of those
acutely.principles. A teacher, for example, may send
No one can accurately predict how well a viralemails regularly to hundreds of parents in a year.
marketing strategy will work but there areA young college student will text message her
elements that must be included for a virallover in another town. Network marketers have
message to go to work. Not all of these elementsalways understood the potential of these powerful
need to be present; but a combination of themhuman networks, both the close networks as well
must play out for there to be successful.as the broader networked relationships.
Something must be given away; whether it is a1. Everyone loves the word FREE. Give away
product or service. For instance there areproducts to get the buzz effect.
software creators who have chosen this method2. Make it easy to pass your message along.
to propel their games to instant success. The firstDistribution should be effortless.
person shooter Doom was an example of3. The campaign must be able to handle explosive
effective viral marketing. The creators did thegrowth.
unheard of thing at the time; they allowed free4. The emotional effect of the viral marketing
downloads of their games and even allowedcampaign must be intentional.
people to create their own levels and characters.5. Use the media - computer, animation, email,
Before the Internet, one famous rock band wasvoice, cell phone, or video
making a fortune from viral marketing and is still6. Get others to get the word out for you. This is
doing so today. The Grateful Dead allowsthe essence of viral marketing.
recording of their music at their live concerts.The biggest issue with viral marketing is its
People make living selling bootleg merchandise inunpredictability. No one has been able to
the parking lots. The Grateful Dead is one ofguarantee that their viral campaign will work. If
them most successful bands of all time in spite of;you follow these basic points you'll have a better
even because of the free attitude of their musicchance of success.