Viral Marketing or Buzz Marketing – An Introduction
In the online marketing industry, viral marketing or buzz marketing is a fairly effective technique a lot of online marketers are utilizing these days to market their products or services. Also known as Internet viral marketing, this is a marketing strategy that compels consumers and clients to give or show your products and other service information to their colleagues, acquaintances, and even family members. In essence, your customers will have the opportunity to market your products and services to other potential patrons and individuals.
Viral marketing or buzz marketing is, in reality, not exactly a new concept. In the old days, prior to the emergence of the Internet and online marketing, this advertising method was known as “word of mouth” marketing. Although the terms are different, both strategies serve the same basic purpose, to entice clients to efficiently market your product or service themselves at a relatively low-cost. The concept works very much like a gossip or a forest fire where it will quickly spread on its own upon initiation.
The digital age has brought about new tools and technologies that have made business marketing a lot more efficient and productive. These days, with the availability of social media and a variety of digital devices like smart phones, laptops, and PC tablets, initiating an online viral marketing strategy is not all that difficult. With social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, spreading your message to the rest of the world has never been more basic. All these have made sharing and forwarding messages and emails a lot simpler for most ordinary consumers.
What exactly is the importance of viral marketing or buzz marketing? This type of marketing strategy works on a theory that product promotions, offers and messages coming from your company, can be disseminated to potential clients exponentially. This is where social media plays a significant factor in promoting your company brand, product or service. Today’s Internet marketers, for example, make good use of YouTube, the popular video sharing website, to promote ideas, products, services, or messages in a more expedient and effective manner.
The key aspect to a successful viral marketing program, however, is to create something that people would want to share to their friends, colleagues and family members. Bear in mind that people are attracted to images, videos, or messages that stirs up certain emotions. Whether it’s funny, thought-provoking, or emotional, your message will certainly spread rapidly if it attracts a wide variety of individuals or consumers.
However, this type of marketing method is like a double-edged blade as it works both ways. If you are not careful, this otherwise promising Internet marketing method could hurt your business just as quickly as it can boost its popularity. If you fail to market your business in an honest and accurate manner, news of your products’ failures or inconsistencies could spread to potential clients quite quickly as well. So if you are planning to use Internet viral marketing or buzz marketing to advertise your product or service, always make sure that you follow proper marketing ethics to avoid alienating potential clients, as well as your loyal customers.
