Viral Hall of Fame 2008

by Mark Nagurski, June 9th, 2008

Marketing Sherpa announced it’s ten inductees into the Viral Marketing Hall of Fame for 2008.

Most interesting for the accompanying campaign results. And it isn’t all about social media either, as Marketing Sherpa points out, that just makes making the lists all the harder.

Key takeaway points:

- Use social media (as if you needed reminding) to tap into existing networks and as a free platform. Don’t expect the fact that you’ve got a Facebook profile to do all the work for you though.

- Make it shareable. People share because it’s (a) worthwhile, interesting and (b) it’s easy to share and possibly even a little (c) they gain social kudos for doing it

- Content is king. Quality, authentic content is the new currency. Great content gets talked about and shared. It’s not the medium, it’s the message.

Of course, each of those three points is equally valid offline too. Social media become existing social networks - clubs, workplaces, churches, schools, families and groups of friends. Worthwhile and interesting still get shared offline, so long as it’s easy enough to convey. Online viral does differ in its ability to move quickly and simply. It’s easier to forward a YouTube vid than remember the punchline of your favourite sketch from TV.

But, if you learn from these examples you’ll be able to build in viral aspects into everything you do and make yourself - and your message - much more ’spreadable’.

Do you have an example of good offline viral marketing?