Viral marketing is a marketing strategy that utilizes social media, email, and other online platforms to promote products or services. Its main goal is to generate widespread attention, build brand awareness, and encourage rapid sharing of content through word-of-mouth or online sharing.
The term "viral" refers to the rapid and widespread dissemination of information, similar to how a virus spreads from person to person. In viral marketing, companies aim to create compelling and shareable content that resonates with the audience, capturing their attention and encouraging them to share it with others.
Viral marketing leverages the power of social networks and digital communication channels to reach a wide audience at a low cost. It relies heavily on creative and innovative strategies that capture the interest and emotions of consumers, prompting them to share the content voluntarily.
Successful viral marketing campaigns often leverage humor, shock value, or emotional appeal to engage the audience. They encourage users to interact, participate, or share content through various channels, such as social media platforms, email, blogs, or online forums.
The viral effect amplifies the reach of the campaign, as people share the content with their networks, who then share it with theirs, resulting in exponential growth in exposure and potential customer engagement.
While viral marketing can be highly effective in creating buzz and awareness, its success is dependent on various factors, including the quality and uniqueness of the content, relevancy to the target audience, and the level of engagement it sparks.
The word "viral marketing" is a combination of the terms "viral" and "marketing".
The term "viral" originates from the word "virus", which refers to an infectious agent that spreads rapidly within a host organism. In a similar manner, the term "viral" in the context of marketing relates to spreading information or messages rapidly through existing networks or social platforms. The word gained popularity as a metaphor, emphasizing the quick and widespread dissemination of content similar to the spread of a biological virus.
The term "marketing" comes from the Old English word "mǣrce", which meant "mercantile trade". Over time, it evolved to refer to the activities involved in promoting and selling products or services.