The Art of Going Viral

Although promotional products have been around for a long time, what stands out about this 24 billion dollar industry is that it’s always finding ways to evolve and innovate. As promo products are like a real-world version of product placement in a tv show or movie, their effect is magnified when combined with the power of social media. With the reach and influencing opportunities made possible through social channels, nothing is stopping your brand from becoming viral. By incorporating creative promotional products into your campaigns, you can create a more engaging and valuable experience for your customers which is crucial for gaining traction online.

If you want to connect to your potential customers on an emotional level, the first step is to develop the right marketing strategy. Part of this requires you to know your audience, that way you can be sure that whatever you are putting out is hitting its intended target. Once you know the preferences, gender, age, and lifestyle of your audience, it becomes easier to identify the type of content you have to prepare. Whether you choose to be bold, funny, or sarcastic, make sure you stick with it and think outside the box to create unique experiences.

Spark virality around the items you give out to your customers by adding catchy slogans or bold messages that stand out. Something as simple as the color scheme you choose for your product could help it draw attention when recipients use it in the real world. To make the most out of your campaign, utilize all the resources you can from social media channels to video content, and emails. You should incentivize sharing to ensure you can capture as much market share as possible. The only way to make your campaign go viral is to get as many people as possible to talk about your brand and increase online engagement.

Incentivize them to interact with your brand by adding a customized QR code imprinted on tote bags. linking to your landing page so recipients can take part in an online quiz or contest. Send a cool personalized tumbler and have recipients upload stories on what they are planning to fill it with on their social media handles. Or let your followers know that everyone who follows your account will be entered in a draw to receive some free personalized name-brand apparel.

Although there is no standard formula for going viral, there are things you can do to increase brand awareness online. You don’t need an extravagant budget, you just need to combine the right products, with the right messaging at the right time. Combining social media marketing with promo is an excellent method to encourage online virality. Use branded products as conversation starters to generate interest among your audience, as each time people discuss your products is an opportunity to attract new customers.