What is a Viral Loop in Digital Marketing?:
Digital marketing is constantly evolving, and so is its understanding. There is a term popping up everywhere, and it’s called ‘Viral Marketing’. What is it? And why are so many brands and marketers so excited about it?
Read on to find out.
Viral Loop in Digital Marketing:
A viral loop is a term used to describe the process in which new, original content is continuously shared by a network of users all over the world.
A viral loop happens when people all over the world share content and comment, creating a cycle of attention that leads to the content getting more views and comments than before.
Why is a Viral Loop in Marketing Important?:
A viral loop is an important concept in digital marketing because it helps brands connect with users on a more personal level.
A popular viral video, social media post, or blog post content can go viral and reach millions of people within a matter of hours or a couple of days.
This is the power of a viral loop, and it’s something that businesses, brands, and marketers like you should take advantage of as often as possible.
A viral loop works in three steps:
Creation,
Distribution and Repurposing, and
Consumption.
In the creation step, content is created by the brand and distributed through various channels like Facebook, Instagram, X [Twitter], and TikTok.
The content reaches thousands of people through social media sharing and commenting, creating awareness about the brand or product.
Additionally, people are more likely to share content with their family members and friends if they find it relatable or entertaining after consuming it.
How to Make a Viral Loop in Marketing?:
Now that you know what a viral loop is and why you should be creating one, let’s take a look at how you can make one in your business or company’s marketing strategy.
Step One: Find Content That’s Good
We’ve already discussed the importance of finding content that is interesting, engaging, and highly shareable.
Successful businesses, brands, and marketers understand the importance of finding content that is relevant to their target audience.
Step Two: Create an Original Post
Once you’ve found the perfect piece of content, create an original post around it.
However, instead of simply copying and pasting the original content, edit it and add your brand’s voice to it.
Step Three: Optimize the Post for Social Media
Once you’ve created the original post, it’s time to optimize it for social media or the platform you're willing to use.
This is where you want to make sure your content is showing up in relevant feeds, getting plenty of likes and comments, and being shared.
Step Four: Make it Viral
The final step is to make sure your post goes viral. This is where you want to start monitoring your post, looking for people or influencers who are talking about it.
Make sure the content is posted on the maximum platforms to reach a larger audience and watch for the responses to scale any further opportunities or plans.
"The same applies to blog posts, YouTube videos, podcasts, and similar content based posts"
What Makes Something ‘Viral’ in Digital Marketing?:
There are lots of elements that make a piece of content ‘viral’. How something is shared, liked, and commented on is important, but so is the content itself.
The most successful marketers have figured out that the most important element of content is the context in which it’s shared.
The context of a piece of content can make it go viral. For a great example of this, think back to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. What made it go viral?
Was it the fact that people shared videos of themselves pouring cold water over their heads?
No. What made it go viral was that people shared videos of themselves pouring cold water over their heads in funny or unexpected ways.
Brands Using Viral Loops in Marketing:
Now that you know how to make a viral loop, let’s take a look at some of the most successful brands that have used viral loop marketing.
1. Starbucks
Starbucks is an example of a company that has done a great job of using viral loop marketing in the past.
They’ve created a campaign that allows customers to give free coffee to friends and family, while also encouraging them to pay it forward by picking up the tab for the person behind them in line.
It’s this kind of marketing that has made Starbucks one of America’s most popular coffee shops.
2. Nike
Nike is another brand that has used viral loop marketing effectively.
The main way they do it is by allowing people to create personalized versions of their products, which they can then share on social media platforms (and earn points toward new products).
This kind of viral loop marketing encourages people to share content because they can benefit from doing so.
It also encourages sharing because people can put their own personal spin on the content by creating their own customized products (something Nike knows will be attractive to customers).
3. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a brand that has used viral loop marketing in the past, and it’s still using it effectively today.
They have developed a campaign that rewards customers for creating content for the brand and then sharing that content on social media.
The goal of this campaign is to create an army of people who are loyal to Coca-Cola and will use the internet to talk about their products.
This kind of viral loop marketing encourages people to create content and share it because they can earn free products in return (and they can earn more points toward free products by getting other people to join).
It’s a great way to get customers involved with your business and encourage them to share your products with others.
There are many such.
Viral loop marketing is becoming more common as time goes on because companies are discovering how effective it can be in helping them sell their products.
While some brands have found success with this type of marketing, others have not. If you’re looking to use viral loop marketing, make sure you know what you’re doing and that you have the right resources and tools in place to be successful.
"Creating a strategy for availing massive benefits is always a good idea. The fact is that people, or customers, love such initiatives!"
Key to Success is Simple:
Consistency is one of the most important aspects of creating a viral loop. This is especially true in the cases of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, as these platforms reward brands that post content consistently.
As long as you create original content that is consistent with your brand’s voice and context, you are likely to see a big spike in your brand’s engagement across different platforms. Be consistent and do some experimenting!
Conclusion:
In today’s world, everything is connected. From emails to social media posts to billboards, everything is being connected.
With that in mind, it only makes sense that content marketing would be, too. Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to break through the noise and get noticed.
This is why it’s so important for businesses, brands, and marketers to create and share original content and benefit from the 'viral loop' business marketing strategy.
Here's related information that you may also find helpful - Brand Awareness vs Brand Visibility [Know the Ultimate Face-Off].
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