I see it a lot in forums, and I would like to warn you to be careful about posting the stats from your earnings reports. Here's the text from Google's Adsense Terms of Service, section 7.
"Confidentiality. You agree not to disclose Google Confidential Information without Google's prior written consent. "Google Confidential Information" includes without limitation: (a) all Google software, technology, programming, specifications, materials, guidelines and documentation relating to the Program; (b) click-through rates or other statistics relating to Property performance in the Program provided to You by Google; and (c) any other information designated in writing by Google as "Confidential" or an equivalent designation. However, You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program. Google Confidential Information does not include information that has become publicly known through no breach by You or Google, or information that has been (i) independently developed without access to Google Confidential Information, as evidenced in writing; (ii) rightfully received by You from a third party; or (iii) required to be disclosed by law or by a governmental authority."
Now there's a lot about this that I kind of find confusing, but one thing in particular that I see is that you should NOT disclose your click-through rates. My personal policy is to not disclose any of the other information given in my Adsense report. As it says though, you may state your gross payments.
I've seen a lot of people complaining about Google terminating their account for "no reason." It wouldn't surprise me if there's a lot of people that have had their accounts banned for disclosing confidential information. So, don't start threads asking about what everyone's highest paid click is, it just might get you in trouble.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Link bait and viral marketing
The term "link bait" refers to content that people can't help but link to. You know, if you've ever seen something funny online and just had to share it with your friends, that's basically what it is. It's essentially viral marketing, word of mouth is a powerful tool. What can you display that will evoke such a response? What can you do with your product or service that will make people want to spread the word about what you have to offer.
Perhaps even a little mystery might work in your favor. Take the monster movie Cloverfield. We first saw the trailer during Transformers, and wondered what it was about. Later, we find that it's a monster movie. Then pictures of the monster start popping up everywhere, all different, and all wrong. It sure stirred up a lot of buzz. And if people are intrigued by your product or service, then that's a good thing.
I can think that the very nature of over quoted movie lines is viral in nature. For instance, take the spider pig song Homer Simpson sang in the commercials for the Simpsons movie. I'd say it was the most memorable aspect of that movie's advertising, everyone in the theatre, seeing it for the first time, could sing that song.
I'm sure everyone has been "Rick Rolled" at least once if they've spent any amount of time online. Someone will post a link, often times with the claims of something too good to be true. Then bam, there you have it, Rick Astly is sining "Never Gonna Give You Up." This has caught on, and according to Wikipedia the two main videos that are used in this have been viewed more than 39 MILLION times. It's silly, it's annoying, and it's producing a reaction in people.
The goal is to come up with something that will spread. Something interesting, funny, and/or controversial. Anyone can put up a site, but it takes a little outside the box thinking and often times luck to see link bait and viral marketing work for you. The key is to focus on what will spark people's emotions, not on advertising your stuff.
Perhaps even a little mystery might work in your favor. Take the monster movie Cloverfield. We first saw the trailer during Transformers, and wondered what it was about. Later, we find that it's a monster movie. Then pictures of the monster start popping up everywhere, all different, and all wrong. It sure stirred up a lot of buzz. And if people are intrigued by your product or service, then that's a good thing.
I can think that the very nature of over quoted movie lines is viral in nature. For instance, take the spider pig song Homer Simpson sang in the commercials for the Simpsons movie. I'd say it was the most memorable aspect of that movie's advertising, everyone in the theatre, seeing it for the first time, could sing that song.
I'm sure everyone has been "Rick Rolled" at least once if they've spent any amount of time online. Someone will post a link, often times with the claims of something too good to be true. Then bam, there you have it, Rick Astly is sining "Never Gonna Give You Up." This has caught on, and according to Wikipedia the two main videos that are used in this have been viewed more than 39 MILLION times. It's silly, it's annoying, and it's producing a reaction in people.
The goal is to come up with something that will spread. Something interesting, funny, and/or controversial. Anyone can put up a site, but it takes a little outside the box thinking and often times luck to see link bait and viral marketing work for you. The key is to focus on what will spark people's emotions, not on advertising your stuff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)