Consider scrolling through your social media feed; suddenly, you see a hilarious video of a cat dressed as a taco. You can’t help but laugh, and within minutes, you’ve shared it with your friends. That cat video? It went viral. This kind of organic sharing is the gold standard of marketing. But how do you create something that people want to share? That’s where the concept of what is viral marketing comes in—crafting content so engaging, emotional, or entertaining that people feel compelled to pass it along.
That’s where viral marketing comes in. This strategy focuses on creating content that is so funny, relatable, or shocking that it compels people to share it. And the results can be astounding: 73% of marketers say that viral content is more effective than traditional campaigns. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of viral marketing, including how to create content that captures your audience’s attention and inspires them to share.
Table Of Contents
- What is Viral Marketing in Digital Marketing?
- Benefits of Viral Marketing in Digital Marketing
- 12 Tips for Doing Viral Marketing in Digital Marketing
- 13 Brands Doing Viral Digital Marketing
- Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
What is Viral Marketing in Digital Marketing?
Viral marketing is a communication strategy designed to spread content quickly among users, like a digital virus. Its goal is for the audience to share the message spontaneously, creating an exponential effect without requiring significant advertising investments.
Unlike other marketing approaches, this strategy relies on active audience participation. When content evokes emotions, surprise, or entertainment, people feel compelled to share it, turning it into a trend on social media and other digital platforms.
Benefits of Viral Marketing in Digital Marketing
1. Low Cost
One of the main advantages of viral marketing is its relatively low cost compared to other forms of advertising. This is because the message is spread by individuals rather than paid advertising campaigns. When a message or piece of content is shared, it has the potential to reach a large audience quickly and at little or no cost to the company. Additionally, the message is often seen as more credible and trustworthy when shared by individuals rather than directly promoted by the company.
This can lead to higher levels of engagement and conversions. However, it’s worth noting that creating viral campaigns can be unpredictable and challenging, and there’s no guarantee that a campaign will go viral. So, low cost doesn’t mean there’s no cost; it can be relatively lower compared with traditional advertising methods.
2. Large Reach
Viral campaigns can reach a large audience in a relatively short period. When people share content, it can be seen by people who may not usually know the company’s marketing efforts. Additionally, sharing something with their friends and followers can create an exponential effect as those people then share the message with their own networks.
This is why viral campaigns have the potential to reach large numbers of people quickly and can be a powerful tool for building brand awareness. Additionally, viral marketing strategies that leverage vernacular languages and local nuances can be especially effective in targeting specific demographics and marketing to audiences that traditional advertising methods would not ordinarily serve.
3. Increased Brand Recall
The advantage of viral marketing lies in its ability to connect emotionally with viewers. Sharing content they feel passionate about often creates an emotional bond between them and the brand, which can drive loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. This increased level of engagement also leads to greater brand recall. People who have seen a shared piece of content are more likely to remember the brand, which can be beneficial when they want to purchase in the future.
4. Positive Word-of-Mouth
Viral marketing strategies are excellent for creating positive word-of-mouth about a brand. When people share content that they like, it reflects positively on the brand and can lead to increased levels of trust. Additionally, when someone shares content from a company in their network, it often implies an endorsement of that company, which can increase credibility and trustworthiness.
Remember that viral marketing campaigns that spread harmful or misleading information can lead to negative word-of-mouth, harming a company’s reputation. Therefore, it’s essential that companies only create and share content that is accurate and aligns with their brand values.
5. Trust and Credibility
Viral marketing builds trust and credibility with potential customers. As mentioned, when a message is shared by people who trust and respect it, it is often seen as more credible than if the company directly promotes it. Additionally, companies can use word-of-mouth marketing to focus on creating and reinforcing positive messages about the brand.
This can be beneficial in building a good reputation and improving customer loyalty. Encouraging the production of user-generated content (UGC) is one of the most effective ways to leverage the advantage of viral marketing. UGC is often seen as more authentic and trustworthy, which can lead to higher levels of engagement and conversions.
6. Increased Website Traffic
Viral marketing is a powerful tool for driving website traffic because it taps into people's natural tendency to share interesting or valuable information with their networks. When people see content shared by their friends or followers, they are likelier to click on the link and visit the company’s website, which allows companies to convert visitors into customers. Including social media sharing buttons on your website or making it easy to copy and paste a link can make it more likely that people will spread your message.
7. Greater Social Media Presence
Viral marketing can also help increase a company’s social media presence by increasing the number of followers and interactions. When someone shares content from your company, the post is exposed to their entire network, which may include people who have not yet interacted with your brand. This allows you to reach new audiences and potentially convert them into customers. Creating compelling, entertaining, or educational content can be an effective way to increase interactions and gain followers on social media.
8. Greater Customer Loyalty and Retention
Viral marketing can help companies with customer loyalty and retention by creating a sense of community and connection around a brand. When content goes viral, it can bring people together with a common interest or connection to the brand. This can lead to more people talking about the brand and engaging with it on social media, creating a sense of loyalty and connection among customers. Another way that viral marketing can help with customer loyalty and retention is by creating memorable and impactful content.
When a message is shared widely, it is more likely to be remembered by people, leading to more people associating the brand with that content. This can lead to more people thinking of the brand when they need a product or service in the future, leading to more repeat business and customer loyalty. When many people see a brand’s message, it is more likely to be trusted, and that feeling is associated with that brand. This can lead to more repeat business and customer loyalty.
9. Higher Return on Investment (ROI)
Viral marketing can be a cost-effective way to reach large numbers of people. Rather than spending a lot of money on advertising, companies can use word-of-mouth marketing to get their message out. Additionally, the potential return on investment (ROI) for viral marketing is often seen as higher than for other forms of advertising because it is free and can reach more people than paid campaigns. Viral marketing campaigns require a lot of creativity, planning, execution, testing, and iteration to succeed. It’s not a guarantee that a viral marketing campaign will lead to a higher return on investment; it’s a potential outcome.
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12 Tips for Doing Viral Marketing in Digital Marketing
1. Use Crayo AI for High-Quality Videos
Creating engaging video content is easier than ever with Crayo AI. This powerful tool lets you generate unlimited short videos in minutes. Just provide an outline or prompt, customize the style, and export. Crayo’s features include auto-generated captions, effects, music, and more. Use this tool to create viral clips, boost engagement, and drive traffic to your site.
2. Know Your Audience
The foundation of any successful viral campaign is a deep understanding of your target audience. You must know their preferences, interests, pain points, and sense of humour. Conduct thorough research, create buyer personas, and gather data to inform your content creation.
3. Leverage Strong Visuals That Speak
A picture is worth a thousand shares! Strong visuals narrate your story, captivate the audience, and serve as bait for the eyes. Instagram’s success is built on visually enticing content, making every post a potential viral hit. Innovative billboards with eye-catching imagery can turn heads and become the talk of the town, enhancing brand recall.
4. Create Exceptional Content
The heart of any viral campaign is exceptional content that resonates with your audience. Your content should be:
Unique
Create something no one has done before or present a fresh perspective.
Emotional
Stir emotions like laughter, surprise, awe, or inspiration. Shareable: Design content that’s easy to share on various platforms.
Relatable
Ensure your content connects with your audience's experiences and values. Remember, not all viral content is funny. Depending on your brand and target audience, it can be heartwarming, informative, or even controversial.
5. Emotional Connections Are Essential
Emotional hooks make campaigns memorable. The goal is to evoke feelings, leading to a cascade of shares. Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches Campaign struck chords by addressing self-esteem issues, sparking worldwide conversations. Charity events that tug at heartstrings, leveraging emotional stories to gain support and spread awareness, are stellar examples.
6. Leverage Social Media Channels
Social media platforms are a breeding ground for viral marketing campaigns. Identify the platforms where your audience is most active and tailor your content accordingly. Encourage social sharing by including easy-to-use share buttons on your website and within your content.
7. Optimize for Shareability
A campaign’s reach is amplified when it’s share-friendly. Embedding sharing options like streamlining links using Linktree alternatives and leveraging influencers can catapult your content into the viral sphere. Additionally, pay-per-call tools can enhance your campaign’s reach by efficiently connecting with potential leads.
Memes are inherently shareable, transforming simple ideas into viral sensations through platforms like Reddit and Twitter. Using AI for long-form content can be a game-changer for those looking to scale their content efforts. Word-of-mouth is the oldest form of shareable content. A remarkable customer service story can spread like wildfire, drawing customers in.
8. Craft a Catchy Headline
Your content’s headline or caption is crucial in grabbing the audience’s attention. It should be concise, intriguing, and create curiosity. A compelling headline can distinguish between someone scrolling past your content and clicking to learn more.
9. Timing Is Everything
Releasing content when your audience is most active can be the difference between a hit and a miss. Aligning with significant events or holidays can amplify your reach. Tweeting during high-profile events like the Oscars can see engagement soar; just ask Oreo and their blackout tweet! Launching a new product around Black Friday can capitalize on the shopping frenzy, creating buzz and boosting sales.
10. Harness the Power of Influencers
Collaborating with influencers who align with your brand can supercharge your viral campaign, reaching millions. Influencers already have engaged followers who trust their recommendations. Therefore, when an influencer shares your content, it can significantly increase its reach and credibility.
11. Engage With Your Audience
Once your campaign starts gaining traction, actively engage with your audience. Respond to comments, answer questions, and encourage discussions. This engagement enhances the virality of your content and fosters a sense of community around your brand.
12. Monitor and Optimize
Keep a close eye on the performance of your campaign. Track key metrics such as shares, likes, comments, and website traffic. Use analytics tools to gain insights into what’s working and what isn’t. Adjust your strategy based on the data to maximize the campaign’s impact.
13 Brands Doing Viral Digital Marketing
1. Nike – Just Do It
Campaign Overview
Introduced in 1987, the "Just Do It" campaign featured motivational narratives highlighting athletes of all levels.
Reasons for Virality
Its straightforward message connected with everyone, from elite competitors to casual joggers. The slogan's emotional power and universal appeal made it easily shareable and timeless.
2. Manscaped – Lawn Mower 4.0 Snooker Commercial
Campaign Overview
This campaign humorously tackled male grooming, using comedy to address a sensitive topic.
Reasons for Virality
The ad's mix of shock and humor prompted conversations about a subject many shy away from. It encouraged sharing through laughter and curiosity, particularly among younger viewers who appreciate edgy humor.
3. Snickers – You’re Not You When You’re Hungry
Campaign Overview
Snickers used a tagline that illustrated how hunger transforms people into different personalities.
Reasons for Virality
The catchy slogan turned into a cultural reference point. Its humor and memorable celebrity appearances (like Betty White) made it widely shareable.
4. Pepsi – Halloween Rivalry Ad
Campaign Overview
A playful commercial depicts a Pepsi can dressed as a Coca-Cola for Halloween.
Reasons for Virality
The ad sparked discussions and sharing among fans of both brands. Its clever use of brand rivalry generated buzz and amusement.
5. L’Oréal – Because You’re Worth It
Campaign Overview
This enduring slogan promotes women's empowerment and challenges traditional beauty norms.
Reasons for Virality
The campaign's uplifting message resonated deeply, especially during moments of social change. Celebrity endorsements helped amplify its reach worldwide.
6. Oreo – Dunk in the Dark (Super Bowl)
Campaign Overview
During the 2013 Super Bowl blackout, Oreo tweeted, “You can still dunk in the dark.”
Reasons for Virality
The ad exemplified real-time marketing excellence. Oreo’s quick wit during a major live event demonstrated agile branding and sparked widespread engagement.
7. McDonald’s – I’m Lovin’ It
Campaign Overview
This globally recognized campaign featured a jingle sung by pop star Justin Timberlake.
Reasons for Virality
The catchy, musical slogan created emotional connections with consumers. It became embedded in popular culture, leading to ongoing brand recognition.
8. Just Eat – “Did Somebody Say Just Eat”
Campaign Overview
This campaign featured a catchy jingle with Snoop Dogg’s collaboration.
Reasons for Virality
The combination of humor and star power created immediate brand recall. The catchy song lingered in listeners’ minds, prompting sharing.
9. Cadbury’s – Gorilla Drumming to Phil Collins
Campaign Overview
This ad showcased a gorilla drumming to “In the Air Tonight” without directly promoting chocolate.
Reasons for Virality
The commercial’s surreal and humorous approach broke ad conventions. Its absurdity entertained viewers and encouraged sharing.
10. We Buy Any Car – “Just Sold My Car”
Campaign Overview
This campaign featured a simple, catchy jingle that turned into an earworm.
Reasons for Virality
The ad’s repetition and straightforwardness made it memorable. Its catchy tune inspired numerous online parodies and memes.
11. Domino’s – “Domin-oh-hoo-hoo”
Campaign Overview
This ad presented a melodic spin on the Domino’s name.
Reasons for Virality
The whimsical approach created a memorable association between the jingle and pizza cravings, leading to widespread sharing.
12. Red Bull – Gives You Wings (Felix Baumgartner Jump)
Campaign Overview
Red Bull sponsored the record-breaking skydive from the stratosphere.
Reasons for Virality
The event's stunning visuals and historic nature captivated global audiences. The brand aligned itself with daring feats, boosting its image.
13. M&M’s – “Bedroom Affair” Ad
Campaign Overview
This campaign featured M&M characters in a suggestive adult-themed scenario.
Reasons for Virality
The ad’s surprise element and humor made it a must-share. Its playful, risqué nature sparked conversations and sharing among audiences.
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Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Crayo AI is an advanced technology in the short video space. It allows users to create unlimited short-form videos in a matter of minutes. You'll easily use Crayo, whether you're a novice or an expert video creator. Simply write a prompt or outline, customize your video with background footage, a voiceover, music, and other elements, and hit export. Crayo will generate your video in seconds. You can then share it on platforms like TikTok to go viral, reach new audiences, and make money with the TikTok Creator Fund.
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