Viral Marketing Can Boost Your Company’s Web Presence and Sales

Viral marketing is a marketing technique in which consumers are used to spread a marketing message or marketing buzz through online word of mouth such as emails or blogs. Viral marketing takes advantage of consumers social networks and because of this, messages are transmitted effectively and rather quickly. Viral marketing can reach beyond the target audience and help to find new leads. It also allows for accountability because the effects can be tracked.

Viral marketing can come in many forms. It may consist of a “Tell A Friend” link situated somewhere on a page, a free e-book with a link to your site or a funny e-card with your company’s name and logo on it. A technique of viral marketing that has proven effective is interactive viral promotions. This usually consists of a quirky interactive Web site that allows users to “play around” with the elements on the site (usually highlighting a new product or service) while they are exposed to corporate branding.

A report by Newsweek stated that interactive, viral behavior is on the rise--especially for younger users and consumers. Additionally, opt-in consumers will often visit a promotional site repeatedly. According to founder and CEO of interactive promotions developer ePrize, Josh Linkner, the average visitor to the ePrize site returns five to seven times over the 60- to 90-day life of the promotion. "That gives you 25 to 30 minutes in front of your consumer, instead of 30 seconds for a TV ad." Instead, TV spots are often a catalyst for surfers to go to the promotional Web site. Linker explains, "Your 30-second [TV] spot drives a five-minute Web experience."