Another week has passed, and another group of people have started using new internet technology to connect with others and build business.  Hopefully, that group of people includes some lawyers.  Welcome to part 11 of our blog series on social media for attorneys.  This week we will focus on viral marketing.

Viral marketing is a term used for the spread of an idea or movement from person to person.  This is a similar concept to word of mouth, but one that has taken on a whole new life of its own when used in the context of social media.  You can take advantage of networks and communities to get your message out to as many people as possible.

The term “going viral” simply refers to something that begins to spread rapidly across the web.  In many ways, a message or idea goes “viral” on its own.  But you can use the social media components that you learn in this blog series to facilitate that process.  Here is how:

1. Use Twitter to link to something that you want to spread with a short, exciting, and eye-catching punch line.  This way you’re followers will check it out.

2. Use your blog to either bring people in, or direct people out to where you want them to go.  The more links that you use, the better.

3. You can use your accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, or other networks to link back to either Twitter or you blog and create even more links.

4. Comment on other blogs with links back to your own blog, drawing readers from all over.

Things that will go viral are exciting and catchy.  Nobody is going to spread the word about something that is boring or common.  Make sure you have something unique to say, something that is worth spreading across the internet, and something that a lot of other people will find stimulating.

Some examples of things that are worth using the social media to spread are contests and promotions, new ideas, important published works, etc.  You can be creative.  And everything that you try to spread should be something that other people feel comfortable promoting as well.  Because no matter how much work you put in, the only way that something will really spread is if other people want to spread it too.

The more your name or your firm is associated with these ideas that spread across the internet, the more people will know who you are, increasing the likelihood of new business.  This is an important part of personal branding and the social web.

Next week we will dive into Question and Answer services, how they can help you “become an expert” and help drive traffic to your website.

Past Installments of this Series:
Part One – Intro to Social Media for Attorneys
Part Two – Signing up for the Networks
Part Three – Using Blogs as an Information Source
Part Four – Start Blogging Today
Part Five – Introduction to Twitter
Part Six – Introduction to LinkedIn
Part Seven – Networks as a Communication Tool
Part Eight – Submit Yourself to Blog Catalogs
Part Nine – Put Your PR Department to Work
Part Ten – Lend us your Comments