Primarily, a review on theoretical foundations and the history of Viral Marketing is shown. Based on this, different definitions were analysed to set up a practical definition for this study. Thereafter, possible targets of Viral Marketing are illustrated, followed by necessary elements of Viral Marketing campaigns and finally by an approach to measure the effectiveness. By means of an online questionnaire, a survey was conducted to collect empirical data. These data provide information about Viral Marketing within social networking sites and detect useful information for the practical use of Viral Marketing. The results of the analysis show the accelerating influence of social networking sites and other factors regarding the effectiveness of Viral Marketing. In addition, specific characteristics which make Viral Marketing messages appealing as well as the preferred types of Viral Marketing messages are illustrated. They help to understand how to create and design an effective Viral Marketing Campaign.

Master's Thesis from the year 2012 in the subject Communications - Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Social Media, grade: 1,3, University of Siegen (Fakultat III), language: English, abstract: Primarily, a review on theoretical foundations and the history of Viral Marketing is shown. Based on this a variety of different definitions were analysed to set up a practical definition for this thesis. Thereafter, possible targets of Viral Marketing are illustrated, followed by necessary elements of Viral Marketing campaigns, and finally by an approach to measure the effectiveness. By means of an online questionnaire, a survey was conducted to collect empirical data from which to analyse Viral Marketing within social networking sites and detect useful information for the practical use of Viral Marketing. The results of the analysis show the accelerating influence of social networking sites and other factors regarding the effectiveness of Viral Marketing. In addition, specific characteristics which make Viral Marketing messages appealing, as well as the preferred types of Viral Marketing messages are illustrated and should help to understand how to create and design an effective Viral Marketing Campaign.

Viral marketing is the key to marketing success in the 21st century, and advertising is one of the most important tools in the viral marketing toolkit. This book offers an in-depth look at viral marketing that includes a short overview of its history and evolution. The author provides a viral marketing toolkit—exploring the use of each tool in social media, as well as differences between connected terms such as marketing buzz. Viral advertising, as a significant tool and source of viral message, is discussed in detail with examples of various companies’ viral campaigns. The focus is on how and where businesses can post messages with viral objectives and which consumer segment is the center of the initial targeting initiative. This book is for anyone—students and professors in business and communication schools, as well as marketing practitioners.

Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Creative Homeowner,

"This book addresses Internet marketing and the World Wide Web, and other electronic marketing tools such as geographic information systems, database marketing, and mobile advertising"--Provided by publisher.

Using original research from more than 2 years of work, 5 different data sets, around 1000 videos, 9 individual studies and a large team of researchers from the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science, Viral Marketing offers solid advice on the nebulous business of video sharing. Dr Nelson-Field reports new knowledge on sharing, memory and the influence of creative devices.

Online Consumer Psychology addresses many of the issues created by the Internet and goes beyond the topic of advertising and the Web to include topics such as customization, site design, word of mouth processes, and the study of consumer decision making while online. The theories and research methods help provide greater insight into the processes underlying consumer behavior in online environments. Broken into six sections, this book: focuses on community and looks at the Internet's ability to bring like-minded individuals from around the world into one forum; examines issues related to advertising, specifically click-through rates and advertising content placed within gaming online and wireless networks; provides readers with reasons why consumers customize products and the benefits of customization; discusses the psychological effects of site design; asks the question of whether the Internet empowers consumers to make better decisions; and discusses research tools that can be used online.