The Ice Bucket Challenge and Social Networking Gold
Get the Timing Right
Getting Noticed is Half the Battle
People engaging in the Ice Bucket Challenge had the option between dousing themselves or donating to the cause. While those doing the challenge, per the rules, did not have to donate, their participation ensured huge attention that led to many donations. This works for small businesses on social media marketing as well. Any interaction, whether it be liking, sharing, commenting, or retweeting, raises the number of individuals who see your marketing – even if they cannot purchase something.
The right time is Everything
The Ice Bucket Challenge became viral during the summer months of 2014, and this was an excellent time. People had been inundated with horrendous news ranging from the shooting in Ferguson to Middle East violence, and raising awareness for a great cause was a welcomed distraction. In addition, longer daylight meant people had time after work to have fun with the challenge. Timing is also crucial for local business marketing. Such as, traffic on Facebook spikes midweek between 1pm and 3pm. Posting during these hours is perfect timing to really get your marketing message seen.
Get Big-Name People Associated
The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral in part as a result of celebrities. Everyone from Bill Gates to WWE superstars took part. While these names might be hard for you to pull, it is a good rule to get industry thought leaders taking part. Interact with trusted sources in your industry and share great content with them. If it is deserving of a retweet or share, the interest you will get from this celebrity shout out can be invaluable.
A lot of viral social networking lessons can be taken from the Ice Bucket Challenge. Don’t make the blunder of believing a viral campaign is out of a small business’s reach.
