Perhaps you remember the #KONY2012 video, which was the fastest video to receive 100-million views in the shortest amount of time. Or maybe you recall the Dove Real Beauty sketches, where the brand invited a group of women to sit down with a sketch artist and describe themselves to him.
These campaigns are examples of marketing content that has gone viral, but what does this concept actually mean, and how can we channel it into your marketing strategy?
To say something has “gone viral” usually means that a piece of content has been well-received and widely shared, which is a a marketer’s dream, but the truth is, the vast majority of even great content will never enjoy widespread attention.
The infographic below discusses the science behind viral content and how it comes to be:
What are your takeaways from this infographic? As a marketer, several tactics stand out to me:
Content: Make a statement with your content. Do you want it to be funny? Incredible? Dramatic? Emotional? Decide what message you want to send and choose a way to communicate it.
Integrated: A great video may get a lot of traction on it’s own merit, but many campaigns rely on integrated approaches that share the same brand message. The other platforms will support to the overall success of your viral campaigns.
Easy-to-Share: If your platforms aren’t easily accessible, fans of the content can’t share even if they wanted to. Make sure you give your audience both a way AND reason to share.
What kind of content could go viral for your business? Do you think viral marketing could work for you? I look forward to your comments below.
CreativeWorks Marketing 