Social media has provided marketers with the most unique form of marketing, and all because it is completely free.

Surprisingly, for something free, there is potential to go global, utilize multiple platforms, and change/update in no time. Once something goes “viral,” literally thousands get to view what you posted. Not bad for a tool that comes for free. Though free, some businesses regardless of size, have hired marketing teams (if they don’t have one in-house) dedicated solely to for the purpose of constantly communicating with loyal customers and potential clients.

While some marketing teams may spend so much on pay-per-click or online advertisements to establish a web presence, some marketers have found a better and simpler way into the hearts of visitors and viewers. And yes, it’s still free unless you spend a little amount to make the video. It’s called viral marketing.

Over the past decade, social media marketing campaigns have revolutionized the way companies interact with consumers and changed the face of marketing. One of the most notable campaigns in recent years is the “Ice Bucket Challenge” by the ALS Association. This viral sensation took social media by storm, with millions of people around the world participating and posting videos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water over their heads to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.

This campaign not only raised a staggering amount of money for the cause but also engaged a massive audience and generated widespread media coverage. Another remarkable social media marketing campaign is Nike’s “Just Do It.” This iconic slogan has become synonymous with the brand and has inspired millions of people to pursue their dreams and push their limits.

By crafting compelling narratives and tapping into the power of social media platforms, these campaigns have successfully captured the attention and loyalty of consumers, forever changing the landscape of marketing.

Viral Marketing is So Effective Even If It’s Free

We’ve all heard the term “it went viral” when something is heavily viewed on YouTube or other video platforms. Marketers can use free viral marketing to promote a brand, product, or service. To prove just how powerful viral marketing can be, here are four examples that went viral and captured the attention of thousands.

Viral Social Media Marketing Campaign #1

Heinz Beans – The “Which bean are you?” Quiz

While Heinz launched their new product called the “Five Beanz,” they also created a quiz contest on their Facebook page called, “Which bean are you?”

The quiz was used to determine what kind of bean a customer was based on personality questions. In addition, Heinz gave contest participants a goodie bag if they shared the Heinz Facebook page at least ten times. The campaign lasted more than two weeks, got around 22,000 likes, 10,000 shares, and generally reached 11 million people. Most people like a personality quiz even if it’s just out of curiosity. While this social media marketing method isn’t new, Heinz was the first food company to utilize it, and the results spoke for themselves.

Viral Social Media Marketing Campaign #2

Wilkinson Sword – The Santa Claus hostage video

Wilkinson Sword released a hostage video just before Christmas of 2013, showing three elves arguing whether to shave off Santa’s beard or not.

The video was posted on Wilkinson’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages. To get people involved, the video was left on a cliffhanger and the phrase “CLICK TO # SAVESANTA” at the end. Another video would come soon that determines the fate of Santa Claus, based on the votes of the participants. One of the aims of this viral marketing ploy is to remind people that the brand’s famous razors make for great Christmas gifts.

Viral Marketing and Social Media Make a Good Couple

Viral Social Media Marketing Campaign #3

WATER is LIFE – First World Complaints Video

The non-profit organization WATERisLIFE created unique viral marketing of collected clips of the underprivileged third world but with captions of common privileged first world complaints such as: “I hate it when my phone charger won’t reach my bed” or “I hate it when I go to the bathroom and forget my phone” and other such complaints. The video became a huge success and had over a million views, boosting the organization’s campaign to bring clean water to third-world countries. The ending caption, “First world problems… aren’t problems” also boosted interest in the organization’s international work.

Viral Social Media Marketing Campaign #4

Cadbury – The giant chocolate Facebook thumb

To boost the likes on their Facebook page, Cadbury thought of creating a giant Facebook thumb using their signature Dairy Milk bars. The thank you gesture was made especially for the fans, for giving Cadbury a million likes. The chocolate Facebook thumb alone garnered 40,000 likes and shares. This one combined the attraction of delicious food with a familiar icon like the Facebook thumb, another perfect sample for viral marketing.

 

Best Social Media Marketing Campaign

They have become an integral part of modern marketing strategies, and some campaigns have stood out for their creativity and ability to go viral in no time. These campaigns have captured the attention of millions, generating immense engagement and brand awareness.

Leveraging the power of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, these campaigns have managed to strike a chord with their target audience, resulting in massive shares, likes, and comments. Marketers can draw inspiration from these successful campaigns and incorporate similar techniques into their own strategies. By understanding the elements that made these campaigns go viral, businesses can create content that resonates with their audience and maximizes their reach on social media platforms.

 

Social Media Marketing Campaign for Small Businesses

Social media marketing campaigns are an essential strategy for small businesses to effectively reach and engage with their target audience. These campaigns enable businesses to promote their products and services, build brand awareness, and foster relationships with customers.

By leveraging popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, small businesses can create engaging and shareable content that allows them to connect with their audience on a personal level. Additionally, social media marketing campaigns provide businesses with valuable insights and analytics, allowing them to measure the success of their campaign and make necessary adjustments.

This form of marketing offers cost-effective solutions for small businesses, as it allows them to reach a wide audience at a fraction of the cost of traditional marketing methods. Overall, social media marketing campaigns present an effective and efficient way for small businesses to establish and grow their presence in the digital world.

 

FAQs:

1. What is a social media marketing campaign?

It refers to strategic marketing efforts carried out on various social media platforms to promote products, services, or causes. These campaigns leverage the power of social media to reach and engage a wide audience, with the ultimate goal of achieving specific marketing objectives.

2. How can social media marketing campaigns help my business?

These can help your business by increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, generating leads, boosting sales, improving customer engagement and loyalty, and enhancing your overall online presence. By effectively leveraging social media platforms, you can reach a larger audience and connect with potential customers in a more personal and engaging way.

3. What makes a social media marketing campaign go viral?

When one goes viral when it rapidly spreads across social media platforms, generating a significant amount of attention, shares, and engagement. Viral campaigns are typically characterized by unique and captivating content, creativity, emotional appeal, timeliness, relatability, and the ability to resonate with a broad audience.

4. How can I make my own social media marketing campaign go viral?

To increase the chances of going viral, you can:

• Create compelling and shareable content that stands out.
• Tap into trends and current events to make your campaign relevant.
• Engage influencers or brand advocates to help amplify your message.
• Encourage user-generated content and participation.
• Utilize various social media platforms and employ effective distribution strategies.

5. Can small businesses benefit from social media marketing campaigns?

Absolutely! They can be especially beneficial for small businesses. They provide cost-effective ways to reach a broader audience, build brand awareness, compete with larger competitors, and establish meaningful connections with potential customers. With the right strategy and targeted content, small businesses can achieve significant growth and success through social media marketing.