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