Viral Marketing for Small Businesses
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Some companies use it correctly while others let campaigns turn negative and spiral out of control.
This, however, is entirely untrue as viral marketing can work for any size business.
The specific definition of viral marketing differs from person to person.
More specifically, I would say that it's an advertising method that capitalizes on humanity's predisposition to share ideas, make new connections, and, of course, get free stuff.
Use it at the right times with the right products and your name can spread like wildfire.
Viral marketing works best when a product or service is easy to use, easy to explain, has a low level of commitment, and is generally seen as "cool" in your customers' eyes.
If it's difficult to use and they dislike the product, why would they refer it to a friend?
Easy to explain - Your product needs to be simple - that is, people can quickly share it without being bogged down by details.
It's simple with no explanation.
A friend once wanted me to sign up for one of those Internet pyramid schemes that offer a free IPOD or flat panel TV if you get 10 people to join a program.
No one in their right mind would do this more than once.
No one walks up to a friend and describes the latest underwear they've bought.
If your product is cool, people will talk about it.
In other words, it's all based on the advertising that goes along with it.
But viral marketing can still work for products that do not meet these criteria if you can generate an adequate buzz for them.
In recent years, buzz marketing has worked for companies like Volkswagen and Burger King.
Buzz marketing all too often generates hype about the ad campaigns that feature the product and not the product itself.
Although some would argue that Crispin Porter's attempt at targeting VW enthusiasts' hearts was genuine when they came out with the "MyFast" and the "Unpimp" commercials, they do not make me want to buy a VW - an item that definitely falls outside of the four criteria.
Buzz marketing is more of an awareness campaign.
You can't just produce a buzz-worthy campaign that people will forget the second the advertisements come down.
Can Viral Marketing Work Offline? And for a Small Business?
Sure it can.
But there's one great example I'd like to share with you where a business employed a viral marketing campaign without much use of the internet and on a very small scale.
They stopped everyone at the door, handed them a t-shirt, and told them that they could get a free guest pass every time they wore the shirt to the gym (the shirt had the gym's logo and location on it).
It was a win-win for customers.
Whenever a guest came in, they had to give their name and email address to the front desk.
It also acted as a follow-up contact to the guest.
The gym built a database of new potential customers, generated hype about the guest passes in town, put walking advertisements out on the street, and, in the end, got more people in the gym.
Would Viral Marketing Work for Your Business?
As I said before, there are times when viral marketing works and times when it doesn't.
Products - Take one of your cheap, low cost, low involvement products and start handing it out for free.
Start advertisements about the giveaways to get more people in your place of business.
If the products and services get high visibility, you will see a more viral effect.
Remember, choose something that people will always see or have a use for and associate it with your brand and business.
You need customers who are outgoing, friendly, and lead an active lifestyle.
Remember, viral marketing, or any advertising, works best when you can achieve multiple impressions with the least amount of effort.
It's about getting your customers to do the work for you and advertising is all about visibility.
Go Out and Do It!
Viral marketing can work for almost any business.
Set aside some time in the next few weeks to try and think of some great viral marketing tactics that you can employ.
Every business has customers.
The trick is turning your customers into loyal fans.
Please find out more on this subject by visiting http://www.elitemarketingideas.com NOW for a free video explaining in detail. For more on viral marketing read this e-book..
About the Author
author Nicolas Wheaton. Please find out more on this subject by visiting http://www.elitemarketingideas.com NOW for a free video explaining in detail. For more on viral marketing read this e-book.
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