Heard of viral fever and computer virus so far, what is this 'Viral Marketing'?

Nowadays Viral Marketing is really springing up at a fast speed and drawing every eyeball and ear towards it, making other forms of advertising really jealous. Every one is talking about it and it has really infected the internet. The term 'viral' leaves us with popped out eyes, wondering if it is viral fever, or a computer virus, which itself scares us till death. But what does it really mean?

Let's get down to its literal meaning hunt. What is a virus? A virus is a protein shell that contains genetic elements. An infected virus uses its protein coating to get attached to a healthy cell and spread its infection. An active and effective virus is able to transform the entire host cell into a kitchen of virus reproduction and spread it like an unrestrained force. Apparently this virus appears to be an innocent soul, just roaming around here and there. But looks are often deceptive. It contains immense power that can easily attack and corrupt the host. And we keep on inventing new devices (anti-virus) to curb it every time. Whenever we invent newer device, virus takes it to his ego and appears with even stronger power to knock down the anti-virus.

None of us would ever like to see or experience a virus. But it's not that unpleasant always. At times virus can be really entertaining and we unknowingly welcome it with open arms. It amuses us, informs us and last but not the least makes us talk about it. Yes, we talk about it, spread it and thus a buzz gets created allover. That's what viral marketing is all about. It's also known as buzz marketing.

Viral marketing simply implies creating messages that contain core concepts and are absorbed by people very well. Whoever receives the message remembers it for long. And the main challenge is to make these messages captivating enough so that people pass on them without being asked for. The main concept of viral marketing is spreading like a virus and creating a buzz allover.

Have you ever received funny or interesting emails, videos, messages which were forwarded to you through a friend? It reached you after going through thousands of people. Email lists, chat rooms, blogs, web sites, forums, social networking sites spread these at an incredible speed.

To be frank enough viral marketing is not a rocket science or some new innovation. It is simply a form of word of mouth or buzz marketing that spreads fast and is active both offline and online. It can be really valuable and informative service or content (natural word of mouth), bribery (in the form of contests or kickback schemes), prestigious for being associated with a brand or entertainment (animations, postcards, etc.).

Indeed creating viral advertising is not as easy as they seem to be. These are lot more critical than conventional forms of advertising. The challenge lies in the fact that unlike biological viruses, hosts on internet - the consumers or receivers possess total control on it. Marketing viruses can backfire too.

But if one can get hold of its nerve and come up with a captivating video, message, email, website or any other concept which spreads like epidemic, yet remains firmly deep rooted within the brand's value and proposition, no one can stop it from winning this world.