Viral Marketing has been around since the year dot, and is best described as spreading the word, sort of like gossip, it can spread wildfire! The Internet has taken this tried and tested marketing idea to new heights, because the Internet is the ultimate form of gossip, "creating a buzz" communication!

What does a virus have to do with viral marketing? Viral marketing describes any idea that motivates people to pass on a newsworthy message or article to others, creating the potential for massive growth in the message's exposure. Like a cold or flu virus, messages can be spread to a few and like gossip, multiply and potentially explode the message to thousands.

An example of internet Viral Marketing would be giving away something of value to promote your business's product or service. These days many online marketers give away free eBooks, html scripts, reports, mini-courses and free software products to you to download and sample.

To receive your free offers, you are asked to opt-in to the owners list with your name and email address. After you have received your free products, and if you find value in them, the theory here is that you will be open to look at the business promoters other products and perhaps pay a cash upgrade on your original free products.

To explode your viral marketing campaign, a simple script can be uploaded to your website. This is how it works, your potential customer searches for say "free online marketing ideas" on search engine Google. Google brings up its results and your customer is re-directed to your website where you are offering a free "Budget Online Marketing Methods" eBook.

Now this is where it gets exciting. Your new customer goes to your website and downloads a copy of your complimentary ebook. After reading your ebook, and discovering some excellent online marketing techniques that he or she can implement immediately, your customer goes back to your website and fills in your webpage "Tell a Friend Script" submission form.

So, from one potential customer, finding your website and informative and useful free products or software, your new customer has the potential to tell three, ten or even fifty friends. Your new customer has found value in your product or service and now through Viral communication, is telling all their friends and business colleagues about your helpful website.

To conclude Viral Marketing works and is a great way to explode your opt-in list, especially if you use some of the methods I have outlined above.