Article Review Body: Mention the word “viral” and one tends to think infection,
illness and disease. However, when referencing our Internet
Marketing methods, “viral” is “desirable” and very much a
good thing!

So, What is Viral Marketing?

As the name suggests, its a way of spreading your marketing
message from person to person, similar to passing a cold
around. You pass on the germ to about five people, who in
turn each pass on the bug to 5 more (5×5=25), who then spread
it to another 5 (25×5=125) and so on until after just 8 levels,
you reach the staggering figure of 1,953,125.

The classic example of viral marketing is Hotmail, one of
the first free Web-based e-mail services. Their strategy was,
and still is very simple:

1. Give away free e-mail addresses and services

2. Attach a simple tag at the bottom of every users email
message sent: “Get your private, free email at ….”

3. Then stand back while people e-mail to their own network
of friends and associates who see the message and sign up
for their own free e-mail service, and the cycle continues.

What Makes Marketing Viral?

A viral marketing plan usually has some or all of the
following basic elements:

1. Provides a product or service free

2. Makes for easy transfer of the message to others

3. Allows easy growth from small to very large

4. Exploits common motivations and behaviours

5. Uses existing communication networks

6. Utilizes the resources of others

When providing a product or service free, The word

Free
is the most persuasive word in marketing. Most viral
marketing campaigns give away a product or service to
gain prospect’s interest. Eg. Free e-mail service, free
software, free info. etc. Then, when you have their
attention, and build their trust, you can sell something
related to their target niche. However, if you hit them
with a sales pitch first, chances are they wont be as
interested.

This has been proven time and time again.

http://www.gotviralwidgets.com/?GotViralwidgets=667

Now,

most people have around 5 to 12 people in their
close network of friends, family and work colleagues.
On the internet, nearly everyone has email addresses
in their contacts list, and favourite websites stored
in their web browser. Utilise this fact in your marketing
campaign. For example, when you give away a free product,
ask the recipient to provide the email addresses of others
who may be interested.

Many viral marketing websites now provide a friendly
“Tell a Friend” feature which makes letting your contacts
know that much easier.

Viral marketing has come a long way since the day of Hotmail.
Today, most viral marketing websites take hold extremely
well, and benefit all parties involved. Everyone wants to
take part in something that is catching on like wildfire,
and especially when it proves to be rewarding for all
involved.

A great viral marketing website or service should
be used as a way of building customers, and driving traffic
to your website. It’s simply a win/win situation for
everyone!

Viral marketing costs very little, in fact if you go to
the right places, it can be free. Given that, and the
huge potential for increased profits with less effort,
your marketing campaigns should always involve viral
marketing so your prospects catch the bug!