6 replies to this topic

[Zishan Ahmed]

Reading about the differt types that are generally be done over the internet, but didn't understand the meaning the terms "Viral Marketing".

Looking forward to hear from the expert on this.

[Scirish Guy]

It is so over used that I find most companies unattractive due to this strategy.


Example:

Mike sends a message on Myspace "Hi guys whats up, I am bored"

Bottom Tag "This message was sent using Helio"






This message from Scirish Guy was made possible By McDonalds

HAHAHAHA

[Hyperformance]

Hey Zishan -

I think you are seeking the popular definition of viral "online" marketing.

IMO - It has little to do with sponsorship, and has more to do with the way the product or service took off when introduced.

Viral as in "virus" - How it spreads. Example;

You have a cool new product, you build an awesome website to showcase your great new and improved widget. You have your YouTube videos all set, you have promo products as a free giveaway, you sponsored Xtreme sports to help get to your target market, and you go about your marketing and promotions.

A few influencial people pick-up on your product from one of your efforts... now these individuals begin an awesome word of mouth flurry about your website and product announcement and this begins an uphill graph of traffic and popularity that you can't control... it turns into a viral tornado... visits are up, sales are up, and traffic keeps climbing. It (your product), went viral, and it did not matter whether McDonalds was a sponsor or not... people latched onto your product - people made it go viral...

Does anyone else see the definition of "viral marketing" as sponsor driven?

Just curious, as I have always felt it had little to do with your advertiser as much as it had to do with the product or service and public acceptance and promotion.

- S

[Zishan Ahmed]

Thanks a ton to u guys.......... now it has become clear to me.........

[Scirish Guy]

Coldstone Creamery (Ice cream store) used this approach and it worked pretty well for them.


The reason why I hate it is because I am just a grumpy person when it comes to advertising

[mini]

I guess the term 'word of mouth marketing' is related to this.

Scott, that was a very clear explanation.

You have a cool new product, you build an awesome website to showcase your great new and improved widget. You have your YouTube videos all set, you have promo products as a free giveaway, you sponsored Xtreme sports to help get to your target market, and you go about your marketing and promotions.

You have also summed up the online marketing efforts that every product needs.

Does anyone else see the definition of "viral marketing" as sponsor driven?

Even I don't think its sponsor driven. Its the advertiser who gets recognized by a product, especially if a product does well.

Let us use a common term 'good' for the advertisers/sponsors who are renowned and also for the product which is/can be very useful to and liked by people.

Similarly, let us use the term 'bad' for advertisers/ sponsors who are not renowned and for products which are bogus.

Now,
1. If the product and the advertisers are equally good, there is no question of the role of sponsors in viral marketing.

2. Again this question does not arise when the two are equally bad.

3. If the product is bad, no good advertiser would go for it. Advertisers want to make their product visible to the world through this product. So, 'good advertiser+bad product' combination is not feasible.

If the sponsorship is for free, there is a possibility of this combination. But viral marketing is all about people telling other people after using the product themselves. If the product is not sound, people won't be much interested in spreading their experience. So even if this combination is possible, viral marketing won't work.

4. When the product is good and the advertisers are bad: Other marketing efforts can definitely bring the product to the limelight. The unpopularity of the sponsors won't hinder it.

Points 3 and 4 suggests that the its more about the product and less about the sponsors.

[Zishan Ahmed]

Hey Manjit..

Refering to your point no.4, what are the other marketing method that u are refering too.