Pros and Cons of Auction Pros and Cons of Auction Invite and other Viral Invite and other Viral

Marketing Strategies for Marketing Strategies for BusinessBusiness

One of the innate things about human beings is that One of the innate things about human beings is that we love to socialize. Since we were children we were we love to socialize. Since we were children we were inclined to share wither others, whether it is our inclined to share wither others, whether it is our dreams, our experiences, or how your Aunt Mary’s dreams, our experiences, or how your Aunt Mary’s pecan pie would taste better with a bit of cinnamon. pecan pie would taste better with a bit of cinnamon. Because of our highly sociable nature that make Because of our highly sociable nature that make close bonds with our friends and family.close bonds with our friends and family.

However, our tendency for socializing can beneficial However, our tendency for socializing can beneficial not only to ourselves but also for business. This is not only to ourselves but also for business. This is why you can find viral mails, auction invite why you can find viral mails, auction invite announcements and other viral marketing tools announcements and other viral marketing tools circling the web today.circling the web today.

One of the secrets that web businesses use today to One of the secrets that web businesses use today to find and attract customers is through the technique find and attract customers is through the technique called viral marketing. As its name implies, viral called viral marketing. As its name implies, viral marketing is a marketing strategy that spreads in the marketing is a marketing strategy that spreads in the same way as a virus: from person to person. Although same way as a virus: from person to person. Although it might seem primitive as compared to modern it might seem primitive as compared to modern communication standards, person-to-person communication standards, person-to-person exchange of messages can still be create rapid flow exchange of messages can still be create rapid flow of information while using only a minimal amount of of information while using only a minimal amount of resources.resources.

For example, a web business sends an auction invite For example, a web business sends an auction invite via email and offers a commission if the recipient via email and offers a commission if the recipient passes it on to other people. If the recipients of the passes it on to other people. If the recipients of the email like the invite, they will pass the message on email like the invite, they will pass the message on other contacts. And if their contacts like the forwarded other contacts. And if their contacts like the forwarded message, they will pass it to others, thus creating a message, they will pass it to others, thus creating a rapid spread of information about the business.rapid spread of information about the business.

And because email cost nothing to use, the web And because email cost nothing to use, the web business gets to save on thousands of dollars on business gets to save on thousands of dollars on advertising their product.advertising their product.

Viral marketing strategies vary in one form or the Viral marketing strategies vary in one form or the other, but they can be identified with the following other, but they can be identified with the following characteristics: they encourage free giveaways, use characteristics: they encourage free giveaways, use innate social behaviours in people, and transmit innate social behaviours in people, and transmit marketing messages through existing communication marketing messages through existing communication networks. networks.

The reason why viral marketing gives away products The reason why viral marketing gives away products and for free is because it gives a positive image of the and for free is because it gives a positive image of the business to people and encourages them to try their business to people and encourages them to try their other products and services. The strategy also takes other products and services. The strategy also takes human behaviours in mind, taking advantage of human behaviours in mind, taking advantage of what’s “cool” and what’s “in” in society to motivate what’s “cool” and what’s “in” in society to motivate potential customers into purchasing.potential customers into purchasing.

Finally, viral marketing uses existing communication Finally, viral marketing uses existing communication methods including emails, homepage auction invites, methods including emails, homepage auction invites, forums, and downloads to minimize costs and ensure forums, and downloads to minimize costs and ensure that the spread of the marketing message is rapid and that the spread of the marketing message is rapid and efficient.efficient.

However, there are some disadvantages to viral However, there are some disadvantages to viral marketing. In the same manner that it can spread marketing. In the same manner that it can spread positive messages about a business, it can transmit positive messages about a business, it can transmit negative information as quickly as well. Misleading negative information as quickly as well. Misleading information can easily pass from person to person, information can easily pass from person to person, damaging a business’ reputation and losing damaging a business’ reputation and losing customers in the process.customers in the process.

Also, poorly designed messages, such as that of Also, poorly designed messages, such as that of emails and auction invites, can backfire and turn off emails and auction invites, can backfire and turn off potential customers.potential customers.

Despite the disadvantages it poses, auction invite Despite the disadvantages it poses, auction invite programs and other viral marketing strategies are programs and other viral marketing strategies are frequently used by online businesses and affiliate frequently used by online businesses and affiliate marketers today, as they are very cost-effective and marketers today, as they are very cost-effective and provides excellent results in a considerable period of provides excellent results in a considerable period of time. It is especially popular amongst companies who time. It is especially popular amongst companies who are just starting in the business and have little are just starting in the business and have little resources for marketing and advertising their resources for marketing and advertising their business.business.