Creating Buzz: How to Make Your Product Launch Go Viral

Well, if there’s some crazy product launch that would set the bar for everyone, Apple’s iPhone would have to be it. Imagine 200 people queuing early before a store opens to get the newest iteration of the most sought-after product on the planet. Some even choose to sleep at the door of storefronts to be the first to get one. Steve Jobs certainly was a marketing genius. And to think these products are priced ten-fold the latest smartphones from the Android world.

Some would say it’s crazy, but it’s true. Apple has created a loyal following that has faith in its products reaching the stratosphere. Take courage, however. Know that before the world has gone all a-gaga over Steve Job’s ideas, the trailblazing college drop-out had to tinker in a family garage. And plan his success.

In case you’re wondering if there were certain steps you can take to ensure your product launch goes viral, then you’re in luck. We’re giving you time-proven tips to get you beyond the mediocre. And make everyone want to grab hold of your product first. Thanking the heavens above for it.

Have Impeccable Timing

Yup, you got us there. Timing is everything. Every marketing team knows the right time matters. And no less than the tech titans in Apple knows this. They exploit the proper timing of their product launches to the hilt.

It launched its newest product from the MacBook Pro to the iPhone with unequaled precise timing. And you should too.

How do you make your timing impeccable? The answer is with due diligence. Study the events of the year. Having summer clothes launched at the peak of the winter months is poor timing. Instead, do it in the weeks leading to summer.

By the same token, take advantage of the late-year sales rush. When Christmas is upon us, you have people opening their wallets more than at any time of the year. Targeting those dates can be instrumental to your success.

Social Media Is Key

Simply put, your product launch won’t go viral as fast as you want it to be without social media. Researchers found out that the holy grail of digital marketing is eWOM or electronic word of mouth. And you can only achieve that if you explore social media.

So start gathering your audience and increase your followers on social media. For one, this is where videos can be a great hook to attract a following. A killer example of an eWOM-able online event that has gained a lot of traction is Blendtec’s Will It Blend video. Spanning a decade or so, the simple act of showing how strong a Blendtec blender is by having it break almost anything has captured the imagination of an army of Americans.

In this regard, tapping the tried-and-tested expertise of a video production company should be spot on. With a long line of successful product launches before, these professionals can put your product in the best light possible to win hearts.

Further, it’s paramount you work with influencers to grow your social media following. While your word may not be enough, influencers have a large following hanging on to their words and wisdom.

Another way to gain attention and build a following is to use hashtags. Tweets with hashtags are more effective as they have a greater chance to be shared and repeated.

Additionally, you should ensure you have your content marketing factored in. Done right and on time, content can generate added buzz before the actual launch event.

Create Suspense

You can take a page from the great movies in your arsenal or from Netflix. Check at what point is the audience watching stuck to the couch, all eager to know what would happen next? It’s when the movie’s lead character is all caught up in a seemingly impossible situation and is about to be clobbered. In suspense.

So make the most of the suspense. You can do this by allowing excitement to build. When word of mouth is active, you’ve done your part in creating a buzz. So how do you go about it?

Again, timing is everything. Make sure your social media following knows something BIG is coming, weeks or months before the actual product launch. Leave bits and pieces of information that stir the imagination.

You can also post teaser videos that are specially designed to amp the excitement of your following. You can post interviews with influencers describing how excited they are about the launch.

It’s an art, of course. When you master the art of creating the buzz, your product launch is a whooping success even before the actual launch date.