Eggcerpts from Natalie: I Luv Viral Marketing

When it comes to marketing and the internet, viral marketing is a “strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, creating the potential for exponential growth in the message’s exposure and influence.” Viral marketing is exactly like a virus where there is a rapid duplication to explode a message or messages to millions of people.

There are some viral marketing techniques that work better than others, but it is a simple strategy that has a potential to work and increase exposure. A great example of viral marketing is YouTube. It is a user generated website where video content can be submitted and dispersed to hundreds and thousands of individuals in a matter of seconds.

A successful viral marketing approach:

1. Gives away products or services
2. Provides for effortless transfer to others
3. Scales easily from small to very large
4. Exploits common motivations and behaviors
5. Utilizes existing communication networks
6. Takes advantage of others’ resources

Keep in mind that viral marketing can have huge success if done right, but it can also fall apart quickly, so be careful with the strategies you use. For example, a faux pas like Intuit’s ad from last year can create a wave of negative viral marketing.

Susan

Here are some other posts on viral marketing worth reading:

Why Viral Marketing Works So Well

Viral Marketing: Get the Bug

Memes, Rolls and Other Oddities Involving Rick Astley

Do You YouTube?

Going Viral David Meerman Scott Style