VIRAL MARKETING!

So how can you put a viral marketing campaign together for your own business – and more importantly, do you even want to?


Let me answer that second question first, okay? YES! You definitely want to take the time to brainstorm your own viral marketing campaign – even if you don't someday want to be as big as hotmail, yahoo or Gmail.


Why? Because according to a recent survey done by Forrester Research, people are almost 65% more likely to trust a review posted by a peer – or even a complete stranger – than they are to trust the marketing or sales information put out by the company.


Don't believe me? Check out Amazon.com and I-tunes. Why is this the case? Because as consumers we tend to think that the average "Joe Blow" has less of a personal agenda when posting his review about the latest "Dixie Chicks" album and so we give it more weight.


And, by the way, this is a normal reaction – it's one that's kind of hard-wired into all of us. People have always shared the things they like – or hate – with their friends and family members. Back in the 50's and 60's, our grandparents used to talk to their neighbors over the "back fence," call each other on the phone or tell their friends during lunch. The difference is, these days we use the Internet and cell phones.


What's interesting though, is that with the popularity of the Internet, our trust - and believe in "social proof" – has become even stronger.


Have a great day!

Merryann Kjaer