What is Viral Marketing? Well, viral is a way of spreading your marketing message from person to person, similar to passing a cold around. You pass on the germ to about five people, who in turn each pass on the bug to 5 more (5x5=25), who then spread it to another 5 (25x5=125) and so on until after just 8 levels, you reach the staggering figure of 1,953,125. Of course the best example of viral marketing is Hotmail, one of the first free Web-based e-mail services. Their strategy was, and still is very simple:
1. Then stand back while people e-mail to their own network of friends and associates who see the message and sign up for their own free e-mail service, and the cycle continues.
2. Give away free e-mail addresses and services
3. Attach a simple tag at the bottom of every users email message sent: "Get your private, free email at ...."
So, What Makes Marketing Viral? A viral marketing plan has some or all of the following basic elements:
1. Exploits common motivations and behaviours
2. Uses existing communication networks
3. Utilizes the resources of others
4. Provides a product or service free
5. Makes for easy transfer of the message to others
6. Allows easy growth from small to very large
When providing a product or service free, The word “Free” is the most persuasive word in marketing. Most viral marketing campaigns give away a product or service to gain prospect's interest. Eg. Free e-mail service, free software, free info. etc. Then, when you have their attention, and build their trust, you can sell something related to their target niche. Don't hit them with a sales pitch first, they won't be as interested.
Time and time again, this has proven to be true. Now, most people have around 4 to 10 people in their close network of friends, family and work colleagues. On the internet, nearly everyone has email addresses in their contacts list, and favourite websites stored in their web browser. Use this fact in your marketing campaign. So, when you give away a free product, ask the recipient to provide the email addresses of others who may be interested. You could provide a friendly "Tell a Friend" feature which makes letting your contacts know that much easier.
Viral marketing has come a long way since the day of Hotmail. Today, most viral marketing websites take hold extremely well, and benefit all parties involved. Everyone wants to take part in something that is catching on like wildfire, and especially when it proves to be rewarding for all involved.
Because viral marketing is used as a way of building customers, and driving traffic to your website, it's simply a win/win situation for everyone! There is very little cost involved with a Viral marketing effort. In fact, in many places, it can be free. Given that, and the huge potential for increased profits with less effort, your marketing campaigns should always go viral so your prospects can't resist!
