Posts Tagged ‘viral marketing’

Experts, such as Brad Powers, understand that the popularity and vastness of the web can be both an advantage and a disadvantage for online marketers. On one hand, the internet can be inexpensive and is visited by millions of people from all over the world. On the other hand, because it is so big, it is hard to get your name out, as there are probably thousands of people just like you, competing for the world’s attention. What, then, can you do to stand out? One of the most successful techniques, if done correctly, is viral marketing. This method uses word of mouth (or in this case, word of mouse), and promotes a product, brand or idea by being passed around on social networking sites. In order to do this, you need to come up with a creative way to interest the website visitors, such as a photo, video or interesting article.

One idea for such a hook is giveaways and competitions. People love free things, and love to compete. This way, you’ll also have the user’s information, such as their email address, and will be able to update them about your business. Make the competitions easy to enter. The prizes need not be big, just symbolic.

This video is a perfect example of a successful viral marketing campaign. The soap and cosmetics brand Dove released this video to the public, and it spread incredibly fast. Online marketing experts like Brad Powers are very familiar with advertising methods such as this.

The free conference call provider Powwownow has unleashed a viral marketing campaign that has been watched by half a million people to date. The power of viral marketing, as explained by experts such as Brad Powers, is the ability it gives a company to greatly expand its promotional visibility in a low-cost but highly effective manner.

For its part, Powwownow, which was founded in the UK in 2004 and now operates in 15 countries worldwide, departed from its usual advertising mediums to achieve the goal of having its brand and web conferencing service seen by a new target audience.

“We have always liked to experiment with our marketing campaigns and commissioning a series of virals felt like the next step,” the company CEO explained.

This is an example of a successful viral marketing campaign, for the batman movie ‘Dark Knight’. There are many experts in this field, such as Brad Powers.

During the holiday season, which is upon us, expert viral marketers like Brad Powers get into full action mode. Using pre-existing social networks like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, brand awareness is an essential component of any viral marketing campaign. So, be on the lookout for some clever, creative, and often funny video clips depicting your favorite brands available for purchase as gifts for you, your friends and relatives.

Some people may tell you that it is possible to initiate a viral campaign that will be a definite hit. Big companies and experts, such as Brad Powers, can attest to the fact that that is 100% false. In fact, it is almost impossible to make an online marketing program that is sure to go viral, as the biggest factors include luck and timing as well as proper planning. Viral marketing is unlike the number-based marketing methods that you are used to.

The right timing and luck aspects should not ruin your plans to use viral marketing techniques. With proper knowledge and training, you can learn how to control even these factors.

If you’re thinking about starting a viral marketing campaign, you’ll want to know some important suggestions first.  Most viral marketing experts, like Brad Powers, will tell you that you need to have a great idea and impeccable timing.

Giveaways are certainly one hook for viral marketing.  Just make sure that what you are giving away is really worthwhile, and that it does what you report it to do.  You can promote your giveaways with Tweets, Facebook or a viral video.

Create a buzz.  Remember that people don’t really want to hear about your product. They want to watch something funny, to be entertained, to be shocked or to feel some other emotion.  In order to create a viral marketing campaign that is successful, you have to generate attention through emotion and through a great story line.

One example of viral marketing is using a free email provider, like Yahoo! or Hotmail.  How does it work?  The email company provides free email services so people want to sign up.  But, as we all know, there is no such thing as a free lunch, so what is the catch?  The email company uses each of your outgoing messages to advertise themselves.  The effect of this is that your email network will forward the email to their lists and then those people will take advantage of the “free” email service too which will have the viral impact of advertising the company even further.

Whether you’re experienced in viral marketing like Brad Powers (pictured left), or could use some extra hints, Lori Turner’s piece offers great examples of how viral marketing can work for you. Find out how Hotmail, EepyBird and others managed to use viral marketing to their distinct advantage.