For example, when Tucows, a Toronto-based wholesaler of domain names wanted to increase brand awareness, it held a contest. Two cows, one awarded to the reseller who sold the two millionth domain name, and the other to the end user. The news about our contest spread throughout the Internet community. It became a viral campaign. Resellers' reactions were overwhelming, Keating says.
Customers are more likely to pass along something like a newsletter if it has valuable advice in it.
Viral marketing also appeals to small and midsize businesses because it's so inexpensive. Buying an e-mail list that specific would be nearly impossible. Jerrilynn Thomas, who runs her own public relations business, began using viral marketing in July. Her Women's News Bureau Web site, which publishes information and news about women in business, is now the way Thomas gets 75 percent of her PR clients. Women put their logos up on my site, along with offers for discounted services or free gifts.