Viral Marketing

Oh, the lovable virus.  Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Self replicating, rapid and growing exponentially in size
In internet marketing lingo “Viral Marketing” is the term for a message that is spread through the web by the users themselves.

Good viral marketing follows the simple formula:

Make something that people will like, use and want to share with others
This media subtly advertises your product and links back to your website
It is packaged in a format that makes it easy for people to pass along.
Make it readily available for free all over the internet.
Enjoy massive brand awareness, traffic, and sales.

This is the old “they told two friends, and they told two friends.” concept- except about a thousand times faster and further reaching.  On the internet the whole world is connected in a never ending giant conversation.  74% of North America is connected to the internet.  Just count English speaking users and we are talking about billions.  All linked and communicating across a vast landscape. Where every user is capable of blasting out messages instantly to a near infinate number of other users.

Community networks and micro-blogging have taken the old idea of forwarding emails around the office to a whole new level.  With a single click people are flash broadcasting across networks of hundreds of peers.  Sending links and forwarding web content

Social Bookmarking lets users tag and spread entire websites to share with like minded friends across the world.

Streaming video, podcasts, and blogs are becomming comperable in reader/viewership to TV, Radio and Newspaper.

Viral video sensations happen overnight

The potential to multiply  your traffic, amass a loyal following is practically absurd.

Real relationships

With a forward thinking social media marketing plan the potential to create a buying frenzy

Blogs
Video
Forums
Articles
Email
Applications
Ebooks
Gaming Channels