The New Rules of Viral Marketing: How word-of-mouse spreads your ideas for free is a great new & free ebook by David Meerman Scott you should download and read now -- it'll just take a few minutes.
David knows viral marketing, as evidenced by his last viral ebook which has had hundred of thousands of downloads and which he can directly track hundreds of thousands of dollars revenue too, including a book contract and speaking gigs (and he's a great speaker!).
His book includes great examples and simple advice. There is also an enormous dose (of often missing) reality: "viral" is an art, not a "science." For example, it better be remarkable and memorable.
How can you tell if something will go viral or not? You can't! You can increase the odds greatly by following some simple advice though.
How do you make a successful viral YouTube video for example? Make a whole mess and hope one takes off -- really.
David also gives some very specific advice for creating a viral ebook, of immense interest to me as I released my somewhat viral (OK, maybe only bacterial so far) ebook, Effective Internet Presence, Now required for success in business and life, a couple of weeks ago.
It's doing well. My server's been overloaded a couple times from several thousands of downloads, the media has been quoting me and my ebook, I've been doing podcast and radio interviews on the topic, and one publisher so far has approached me with the thought of writing a full blown paper bookstore book on the topic.
I didn't follow all of David's advice. No surprise, I rarely follow all of anyone's advice. I'm not a gifted leader by any means, but I'm a poor follower :)
I agree with and did most of what David advises, but I don't have many pictures or images as he suggests (hmmm, do I have any??), I didn't use a professional editor or proofreader (I should have, but was in too much of a hurry to get my ideas out), and I am going to use conventional advertising to help promote it; My ebook will appear on the Good Year Blimp at the Superbowl.
OK, I'm lying, but I will have a facetious ad in Personal Branding Magazine in a few days -- will post it here too.
David's book is a very fun, interesting, and remarkable read. I'm not posting about it because David's a great guy, or because I like it, but because it's remarkable and I think most people will like it.
Quite viral indeed.
Effective Internet Presence: Now required for success in business and life


