Comments on: Viral is not word of mouth http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: PRobecast #42: SNCR, Social Media Club, and live-Twittering events? | Tech PR Gems http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1503 PRobecast #42: SNCR, Social Media Club, and live-Twittering events? | Tech PR Gems Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:53:47 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1503 [...] Council, large brands in a private group discussing blogging best practices– good?4. “Word of Mouth” vs. “Viral.” Two distinct terms or no difference?5. Web site plug: Media Bullseye6. Facebook apology; so good the [...] [...] Council, large brands in a private group discussing blogging best practices– good?4. “Word of Mouth” vs. “Viral.” Two distinct terms or no difference?5. Web site plug: Media Bullseye6. Facebook apology; so good the [...]

]]> By: Influencer Influenza? | Tech PR Gems http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1502 Influencer Influenza? | Tech PR Gems Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:35:07 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1502 [...] * Let’s forget for now that The Tipping Point was inspired by the AIDS epidemic, and that the concept of “viral” marketing is literally akin to the spread of deadly epidemics. Maybe Christopher Penn is wrong… [...] [...] * Let’s forget for now that The Tipping Point was inspired by the AIDS epidemic, and that the concept of “viral” marketing is literally akin to the spread of deadly epidemics. Maybe Christopher Penn is wrong… [...]

]]> By: Doug Haslam http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1501 Doug Haslam Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:11:17 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1501 I like the distinctions-- I like Justin's even better, to be honest, because I don;t see the need for "viral" to be reserved for "evil" definitions. Also, like Richard, I'm afraid general usage has already made it too late for this argument to win. I like the distinctions– I like Justin’s even better, to be honest, because I don;t see the need for “viral” to be reserved for “evil” definitions.

Also, like Richard, I’m afraid general usage has already made it too late for this argument to win.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12730 Anonymous Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:11:00 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12730 I like the distinctions-- I like Justin's even better, to be honest, because I don;t see the need for "viral" to be reserved for "evil" definitions. Also, like Richard, I'm afraid general usage has already made it too late for this argument to win. I like the distinctions– I like Justin’s even better, to be honest, because I don;t see the need for “viral” to be reserved for “evil” definitions.

Also, like Richard, I’m afraid general usage has already made it too late for this argument to win.

]]> By: Justin Kownacki http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1500 Justin Kownacki Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:32:25 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1500 I think of "viral" as word-of-mouth on steroids. It's more than something interesting that I *might* pass along to a friend; it's almost compulsory. It has less to do with permission and more to do with the un-keep-down-ability of the message. As such, it's as hard to create as it should be. I think of “viral” as word-of-mouth on steroids. It’s more than something interesting that I *might* pass along to a friend; it’s almost compulsory. It has less to do with permission and more to do with the un-keep-down-ability of the message.

As such, it’s as hard to create as it should be.

]]> By: Justin Kownacki http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12729 Justin Kownacki Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:32:00 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12729 I think of "viral" as word-of-mouth on steroids. It's more than something interesting that I *might* pass along to a friend; it's almost compulsory. It has less to do with permission and more to do with the un-keep-down-ability of the message. As such, it's as hard to create as it should be. I think of “viral” as word-of-mouth on steroids. It’s more than something interesting that I *might* pass along to a friend; it’s almost compulsory. It has less to do with permission and more to do with the un-keep-down-ability of the message.

As such, it’s as hard to create as it should be.

]]> By: David Tames http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1499 David Tames Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:42:18 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1499 The viral metaphor is a good one, and just like in biology, there are bad viruses that kill us and good ones that we depend on for life. You say that "viral marketing does NOT require consent" and I would argue that viral marketing has various flavors, some with consent, and some without. Forward to a friend, that's viral with consent. Hotmail, that's viral without consent. The term viral has been used to describe the mechanism that goes beyond traditional word-of-mouth, but to associate "viral marketing" with bad techniques and not make the distinction of types of viral marketing within the category, goes against the origins of the concept and term as set forth in Douglas Rushkoff classic book, "Media Virus" later in Jeffrey Rayport Fast Company article, "The Virus of Marketing." The viral metaphor is a good one, and just like in biology, there are bad viruses that kill us and good ones that we depend on for life. You say that “viral marketing does NOT require consent” and I would argue that viral marketing has various flavors, some with consent, and some without. Forward to a friend, that’s viral with consent. Hotmail, that’s viral without consent. The term viral has been used to describe the mechanism that goes beyond traditional word-of-mouth, but to associate “viral marketing” with bad techniques and not make the distinction of types of viral marketing within the category, goes against the origins of the concept and term as set forth in Douglas Rushkoff classic book, “Media Virus” later in Jeffrey Rayport Fast Company article, “The Virus of Marketing.”

]]> By: David Tames http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12728 David Tames Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:42:00 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12728 The viral metaphor is a good one, and just like in biology, there are bad viruses that kill us and good ones that we depend on for life. You say that "viral marketing does NOT require consent" and I would argue that viral marketing has various flavors, some with consent, and some without. Forward to a friend, that's viral with consent. Hotmail, that's viral without consent. The term viral has been used to describe the mechanism that goes beyond traditional word-of-mouth, but to associate "viral marketing" with bad techniques and not make the distinction of types of viral marketing within the category, goes against the origins of the concept and term as set forth in Douglas Rushkoff classic book, "Media Virus" later in Jeffrey Rayport Fast Company article, "The Virus of Marketing." The viral metaphor is a good one, and just like in biology, there are bad viruses that kill us and good ones that we depend on for life. You say that “viral marketing does NOT require consent” and I would argue that viral marketing has various flavors, some with consent, and some without. Forward to a friend, that’s viral with consent. Hotmail, that’s viral without consent. The term viral has been used to describe the mechanism that goes beyond traditional word-of-mouth, but to associate “viral marketing” with bad techniques and not make the distinction of types of viral marketing within the category, goes against the origins of the concept and term as set forth in Douglas Rushkoff classic book, “Media Virus” later in Jeffrey Rayport Fast Company article, “The Virus of Marketing.”

]]> By: shashib http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1498 shashib Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:07:55 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-1498 I agree with most of what you said Chris. In my terms: Viral: May possibly have nothing to do with the product.Something about the message /medium makes you want to spread the word. Example the Bob Dylan video that was spreading virally. Word of Mouth : You endorse it or express interest that the product is the key to your spreading th word. I agree with most of what you said Chris.

In my terms:

Viral: May possibly have nothing to do with the product.Something about the message /medium makes you want to spread the word. Example the Bob Dylan video that was spreading virally.

Word of Mouth : You endorse it or express interest that the product is the key to your spreading th word.

]]> By: shashib http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12727 shashib Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:07:00 +0000 http://www.christopherspenn.com/2007/12/07/viral-is-not-word-of-mouth-2/#comment-12727 I agree with most of what you said Chris. In my terms: Viral: May possibly have nothing to do with the product.Something about the message /medium makes you want to spread the word. Example the Bob Dylan video that was spreading virally. Word of Mouth : You endorse it or express interest that the product is the key to your spreading th word. I agree with most of what you said Chris.

In my terms:

Viral: May possibly have nothing to do with the product.Something about the message /medium makes you want to spread the word. Example the Bob Dylan video that was spreading virally.

Word of Mouth : You endorse it or express interest that the product is the key to your spreading th word.

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