But do campaigns such as this still work in today's consumer-orientated marketplace where Internet users are wise to such attempts at mass penetration?

Viral Marketing Can Really Pack A Punch

The incident with UK Member of Parliament John Prescott, a certain egg-throwing individual and an Internet-based game would suggest so. This particular viral marketing example made it onto national news in UK! Panlogic, an advertising agency, who created an online game "Splat MP" and launched it live on their website within 48 hours of Prescott's now infamous left-hook against an egg-throwing protester.

The results of this campaign were tremendous with people visiting site in their thousands due to unique way in which it captured public's imagination. Panlogic had reached a truly national audience for a fraction of cost that a conventional advertising or promotional campaign would have incurred.

All of which is good news for businesses recognising potential of Internet - far from being dead viral marketing is only just starting to come alive. With advancements in technology and high speed access not too far away ways in which companies can get their potential customers to do their marketing for them look set to increase.

Michael Cheney, www.magnet4web.com ©

Michael Cheney is the Author of The Website Marketing BibleTM:

"High five Michael! Your bible is superb! The world needs to read it and learn from it." - Jay Conrad Levinson, Author of "Guerrilla Marketing"

4. Don't be a scrooge.

There is an old proverb that says it perfectly;

"The man who buys cheap laughs once but cries many times. The man who buys expensive cries once but laughs many times."

Remember this next you think about cutting corners. There are obviously exceptions to every rule but you usually get what you pay for in this life.

5. Ask for sale.

Yes it's obvious. But are you doing it? If you're actually selling something directly via your website you have to make it as easy as possible for someone to work out what they need to do. Don't make them hunt around for pricing, ordering information, contact details, delivery information etc. Sock it to them right up front - they'll love you for it.

6. Throw your web site to lions.

Get as many people as possible to critique your web site. Friends and family are always good for this - though they'll probably be unwilling to be over-critical (unless it's your in-laws) so impartial parties is a better idea, if you can track any down. Ask your colleagues and friends to forward your web site address onto others and ask for direct feedback, no holds barred. Better to have people test it like this than open your shop doors, so to speak, and have your customers tell you your web site is not for them by never coming back..

7. Deliver what you say you will

Yes, another no-brainer but it will pay huge dividends. No point in fighting tooth and nail for all those hard-to-reach prospects if you've got a nice healthy stack of existing customers that already think you're bees' knees. Once you've got that customer hold onto him / her with all your might - treat them like kings because your competitor will be after them. It's far cheaper and quicker to sell something to an existing customer than it is to find a new one. Simple in theory - not so easy to put into practice. But hey - what are you after here? A free breakfast?!

7.5. "People Laughed At Me When I Said I Could Get Them To Read This Sentence. But Who's Laughing Now?!"

Use headlines in your web site. People are busy. People are impatient. They like something that grabs them.

Michael Cheney Sales & Marketing Director, magnet4web