A successful viral marketing campaign is often exceptional - is yours also on the same lines? Here are a couple of excellent points to bear in mind the next time you want to make anything go viral.
Why is the Apple iPhone so successful and has teens going crazy over it? Simply because it's cool. You know how people are when they want something that nobody else has, yet, and it is a status symbol for many. Study the iPhone and other products, and then look at what you can do in any campaign of yours. If you are in the IM niche, besides making money what else extraordinary can you offer to people? Even make is outrageous, if you can, and then of course you actually have to be able to deliver on the promise.
There is nothing that can make your campaign go viral if it's not interesting.
It is necessary to play off of what your audience is interested in, and then offer something highly unique to them. You can try this with as many markets as you want, and you will see how quickly something good will catch attention. The more you can make the content really stand out and emotional, then your chances will be better. Of course you could always do test runs, and if nobody likes it then you know. We have to say that most of the time anything anyone makes will not be viral, and so just prepare for that eventuality.
Viral marketing can work for you the first time, and it may fail you the hundredth time - it all depends on your level of persistence. There are no hard and fast rules to absolutely make something go viral. In fact, this is one part of marketing that really separates people just because the prospects for success are so low. So that is the real deal with viral marketing, and it could turn out well for you. When you have done enough campaigns, you will definitely improve in some areas that could pay off later on.
Remember, as a viral marketer - emotions can be your secret weapon, so don't ignore them.