| Viral marketing is one of the most powerful marketing | | | | about your niche market or product is all you really |
| techniques on the Internet. Yet, many small Internet | | | | need. This can be a simple report that is provided in |
| entrepreneurs either don't know what it is, or how to | | | | PDF format. |
| use it to effectively promote their website. If you aren't | | | | The key element to making your product truly viral is |
| using applying this incredibly powerful marketing tool | | | | giving people a reason to pass it along. This might |
| then you are missing out on an incredible opportunity to | | | | include: |
| harness one of the most cost-effective marketing | | | | * A way for them to make money - such as by |
| techniques. | | | | reselling your product. |
| Plus, once you've launched your viral marketing | | | | * Advertising space in your article. This is especially |
| campaign it practically runs on autopilot. Since it | | | | true if you offer some way to re-brand your product. |
| leverages the actions of other people your advertising | | | | For example, an ebook, distributed in PDF form, could |
| message spreads even when you aren't actively | | | | be re-branded with a welcome message and link to |
| promoting it. | | | | the reseller's website. Ebooks in EXE format can often |
| There are few types of Internet marketing that can | | | | be branded with special software and might include |
| boast both of these features. Search engine | | | | links or even banner ads. |
| optimization, Pay Per Click advertising, and so many | | | | * Entertainment value - joke sites, cartoons, and |
| other forms of Internet advertising can be time | | | | games often work this way. We pass them along |
| consuming and costly. Meanwhile, viral marketing costs | | | | simply because they amuse us. This is one of the |
| little or nothing to implement and, once you get started, | | | | most common techniques to getting your message |
| it can take on a life of its own, continuing to drive | | | | spread. Think of all the emails you receive with this |
| prospects to your website even when you aren't | | | | type of content or the with links to amusing videos or |
| actively advertising it. | | | | animations. |
| Viral marketing refers to an advertising technique that | | | | * Tug at their "heart strings" - if your report covers a |
| is spreads from person to person - much like a real | | | | sensitive issue, or one that is very personal to many |
| virus. It is word-of-mouth advertising at its best. | | | | people, then they will pass it along because it offers a |
| Some prime examples of include: | | | | solution to a common problem. Recall all the emails |
| * Tell-a-friend scripts that allow visitors to share a | | | | about 9/11 that were passed around. This can work |
| website with other people they know through an email. | | | | with any topic that gets people emotional including |
| * Free e-books or software that people share with | | | | health issues, weight loss, and even income related |
| each other because of the value of their content. | | | | products. |
| * Affiliate programs that pay members to tell others | | | | Viral marketing can be a truly powerful part of your |
| about your product or service. | | | | advertising campaign, especially if you are operating on |
| You don't have to be an expert author or programmer | | | | a shoestring budget. A little effort and creativity are all |
| to create a great viral marketing product. A simple | | | | that you need to get started. |
| information product which contains valuable information | | | | |