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They Say Viral Marketing is the Next Big Thing….
Who doesn’t love a good viral video or checking out the popular video sites for a good laugh, usually at someone else’s expense. Now, if you’re reading this, then you’re trying to learn more about marketing, so you probably are already thinking of viral videos and popular blogs with a marketing eye. There’s nothing wrong with that. Most people who watch these videos are doing it for a good laugh or some kind of entertainment and they aren’t even considering the subliminal advertising. You, however, with your marketing sense are probably beating yourself to death trying to come up with the next big thing. It’s funny how these new, weird words enter our consciousness because of the internet. Words like, “viral” seem to come out of nowhere and define this thing that is already common knowledge. So, there you are, wanting to create the next big thing; the next popular blog or viral video.
The major thing you need to consider when trying to create a viral video or blog is usually not even considered. It’s the same advice your mother probably gave you since the day you could understand her. Here it is, just be yourself. Make sure you are always being just the person that you are. Now, there is an exception to this; be somebody that you’re not if you’re being funny and if it’s at your expense. The guy that pretends to be somebody that they’re not, is the guy that usually has this kind of thing backfire on them earning them the exact opposite effect they were going for. Whatever it is that you come up with, make it your own. If you really have to copy somebody or something, then do your best to make whatever it is your own. Be unique, creative and interesting.
It’s going to be okay if you don’t get it right the first time, or every time. Nobody gets it right every time. Very few people get it right their first time, and those who do get it right their first time usually do it on accident. Don’t be afraid to try something new but don’t be afraid to check out what else is going on. People who are successful at things, at just about everything, usually become successful by learning from their predecessors. You don’t need to copy anybody, but just pay attention to how things are done.
Take a risk and be a little off the wall, or a lot off the wall. You’re trying to draw attention to yourself and get noticed so who ever notices boring things? Do you want to be the nerd in the corner at the dance that wishes they were back at home eating their mom’s grilled cheese, or do you want to be the guy that’s out there dancing like a fool and enjoying themselves? If you want the grilled cheese then maybe the viral aspect of marketing and the risk factor just isn’t your bag. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.
What really kills sales people and marketing campaigns is when people get too pushy and come off like sales people and marketing campaigns. Listen, people don’t want to be sold to – people want to buy things. People want to buy something on their own terms, but they don’t want you pushing them and trying to get them to buy something. Be subliminal and real and genuine. Be honest about yourself and be honest with yourself. Make sure that you edit your videos and that you watch them with an open mind. Your best bet is to have somebody that’s going to be honest with you, take a look before you ever go public. Don’t show it to your mom because your mom is just going to serve you up a grilled cheese and tell you how clever you are. If you have a friend that can be honest with you, then talk to that friend. This will work even better if you’re not in the video, because the biased won’t be there if you can present it as somebody else’s work. Just always keep in mind the way you come off. If you’ve ever gone to buy a car, or maybe just to look at cars at a lot, think about how the sales people are. Have you ever tried to avoid the sales person because you don’t want to hear the spiel? Nobody wants to be sold to. The only people that want to hear a sales pitch, are other sales people that are looking to compare and critique what they hear. They’re not going to buy anything, they just want to be jerks. Don’t be a jerk.
Some of the more obvious things when it comes to making a video has to do with the actual editing process. Now, you probably want to get something put together and throw it out there, but when you’re hastily throwing things around you might not pay much attention to the finished product. You might be more concerned with your own personal deadline. The key to good editing is to be clear, concise and correct. It’s the dumbest mistakes that tend to get missed the most. The real obvious things that are going to kill you, or turn you into YouTube fodder. That’s one way to become a viral video, by making you look like an idiot, accidentally. That might be beneficial, but impossible to stage. Make sure your video is short and to the point. Don’t go overboard. Make your piece so that it leaves the viewer wanting more, but make your message clear. We’ve all seen those ads on TV where you have no clue what was going on.
Another rule to consider and one of the most important, is that there are no rules and now laws as to what’s going to work and what want. If you can break the rules the right way, then you’re bound for success. Sometimes the success comes on accident, but when you’re trying to figure things out keep these thoughts in mind and don’t be afraid to experiment. Get as much criticism as you can before going public and be open to suggestions.
Hi Nice post .