Viral Marketing, as you may be aware, refers to the process of promoting via naturally spreading means, the same way a virus infects more than one person.
If someone reads a great article on the internet and shares it with others through a bookmark, emailing a link, or other such process, then it spreads virally.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to use Viral Marketing to your advantage is by utilising a “tell a friend” link.
About Tell A Friend Links
These links work via a script that you insert into your website page or at the end of a blog post. If you maintain a blog, chances are the “tell a friend” link is already included with the commenting feature for free.
You can also buy a more sophisticated script. They promise better results by doing more to induce a visitor to click on the link.
Adding The Link – Where And When
On a website, you can include a separate section for your tell a friend link on each page. Make it prominent and eye catching. It should be visually interesting and easily catch a visitor’s attention. You might also include a script that appears after someone subscribes to your updates or email marketing promotion.
For a blog, include the “tell a friend” script at the end of each post. Many blogs feature a bit of text something along the lines of “Enjoy what you read? Share it.” It can also be placed on the page itself.
Getting Visitors To Click The Link
Once you’ve got the script added to your site or blog, the next step is getting visitors to use it. You can encourage people to tell their friends by offering them an incentive.
One way is to run a contest and offer a prize for the most referrals. You might want to offer a bonus of some sort to every current subscriber or customer who shares the URL to your content. Subscribers could receive a free e-book that offers in tips relating to your products or service.
Customers could be given a discount on their next order or have their name put into a ballot box each time they refer a user. Ensure that whatever prize or bonus you offer is related to your niche market.
Some major companies have instituted extremely effective Viral Marketing campaigns by offering a free product, such as an e-book. When someone entered their information to receive it, they were given the opportunity to tell their friends how to receive the same free item. Who doesn’t want something of value at no cost?
What To Do With Friends
After you have received referrals, put them to good use. But be careful that you do not irritate these new prospects by immediately sending them a sales pitch.
Your referrals will feel as if they are being spammed and will blame the friend who referred them. Instead, add them to your email list and offer them valuable information that will cause them to want to visit your website.
Telling a friend is a powerful internet marketing tool that costs little, or nothing. Put a simple script to use on our site and watch your traffic, and conversions, grow.
Have a most outstanding day.
Sean RasmussenAussie Internet Marketing
www.SeanSEO.com © 2008 - 2010
