Definition Of Viral Marketing

Definition Of Viral Marketing

The most basic definition of viral marketing is 'word of mouth' - and it's been around since the beginning of time.

The first example went right back to Adam and Eve, when Eve came to Adam and said something like "You've just got to try these apples..."

Examples of specific word of mouth marketing strategies were even mentioned in ancient Greek Athenian records!

So viral marketing has been around forever. We've just given it a bunch of fancy names over the years, and added more techniques to the process.

And just so we're very clear, the viral marketing I'm talking about is the ethical, honest, straight-forward kind...not the sneaky, stealth marketing that many internet businesses are resorting to.

Word of mouth marketing is truly one of the most powerful marketing strategies available to you.

Viral marketing works best when you are very clear about:

exactly what you offer (sounds obvious, but many businesses can't clearly explain what they offer!)
exactly who you want to offer it to (again, it would seem like that should be a simple thing, but many businesses don't have a clear target audience ( target marketing definition ) in mind for their products or services)

In other words, the more clearly you have defined your marketing niche , the more effectively word of mouth marketing will work for you.

Let's say you are a financial professional specializing in financial planning for dentists (a very nice, solid marketing niche).

You can easily find dentists in your area just by looking in the yellow pages, online, or asking everyone you know (everyone knows at least one dentist well – at least, we certainly hope so for the sake of their teeth!)

Once you start working with a few dentists and they are happy with the work you're doing with them, it's pretty easy to generate some nice word of mouth.

Dentists tend to know other dentists, and they also know a lot of other people related to the dental profession, including orthodontists, hygienists, dental vendors, and so on.

By telling everyone you know that you specialize in financial planning for dentists, and making sure they know that you work by referrals, and staying in touch with all of your dental clients on a regular basis will increase your viral marketing with other dentists.

In other words, people talk. :)

And that's where you benefit from that very simple definition of viral marketing: word of mouth.

"The 5 Biggest Marketing Mistakes That
Small Business Owners Make
...And How to Avoid Them"

FREE 5-part email series. Get it now!

To get your copy, simply fill in the form below:

You'll also receive a
free subscription to A Cup o' Marketing.

It's short. To the point. And very helpful.

PS - Your name and email address will never be sold, rented, or given away. You have my word on it!

Return from Definition of Viral Marketing to What Is Marketing

footer for definition of viral marketing page