Viral Marketing with Reddit

“92% of respondents reported that a positive recommendation from a friend, family member, or someone they trust is the biggest influence on whether they buy a product or service.”

— Paul M. Rand

"Bloomberg TV provided viewers with an important lesson in digital currency when one of its anchors had a gift card stolen while showing it during a live broadcast."

-RT.com

Matt Miller, a Bloomberg TV news anchors, has gone viral. You're probably aware Miller's Bitcoins were stolen during his segment “12 Days of Bitcoin”. Well, this snafu turned $20 worth of Bitcoins into a low cost viral marketing campaign worth millions of dollars.

It happened in a flash - the $20 Bitcoin gift certificate was on screen for less than a minute. This was just enough time for a Redditor to scan the digital QR code, unlocking the gift for himself.

Milywaymasta, the Redditor, even explained how he did it.

“The guy that is hosting the series gave bitcoin gift certificates to the other two hosts. One of them opens up the certificate to reveal QR code of the private key,” he wrote. "They then proceeded to show a closeup of the QR code in glorious HD for about 10 seconds. Hilarious."

The user offered to return the Bitcoins, but Miller conceded on Reddit and told him he earned it.  (See image below)

This authentic response earned Miller some karma on Reddit.

This story has gone viral. Let's figure out why:

1. Miller gave Reddit users the opportunity to 'acquire' his bitcoins during his Bloomberg TV segment.
2. Milywaymasta takes the bitcoins and posts the now popularized story on Reddit.
3. The unique content is picked up by social media outlets.
4. Exponential growth ensues.

Now, Miller is on the front page of your newsfeed, Reddit, and social posts across the web. We're wondering...did Miller plan this? For the price of $20, Miller gained free advertising, generated interest in his content, and organically grew his brand.

Remember, the most effective sales pitch doesn't come from a salesman, it comes from a friend's recommendation. Think of it like a Google search. Which do you trust more, the organic or paid result? Reddit works the same way. Your average Bloomberg story may not be hot news, but once the show was scammed by a Redditor, the content went viral.

Now, how can you apply this to your brand or business? We'll be answering questions and brainstorming with you. Reach out and let us know what you think.

Haiku Summary

One Bloomberg Anchor
Twenty dollars in Bitcoins
Millions of free ads

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You will not believe what Casey Neistat did with a $25,000 production budget.

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.”

— Helen Keller

It can be difficult for small businesses to get their content in front of the right people. It can be even harder to get them to notice your brand message. But give Casey Neistat $25,000 production budget to promote 20th Century Fox's new movie "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and he'll show you how to engage the world. As we always say, just be authentic.

When Fox first approached Neistat, it was following the terrible Typhoon Haiyan which took the lives of many in the Philippines. The original concept proposed by Fox was "Live your dreams". Neistat had a slightly different idea for a promotional video. Take the entire $25,000 and donate it to relief efforts in the Philippines. But this wasn't just a simple check signing. No, Casey and his crew traveled across the globe, as they are known to do, to film their impact.

When we first saw this video a few days ago it was around 12,000 views. It is now well over 520,000 hits within two days. We are witnessing a viral event, let's learn from it.

Watch the video. Tell us what you think at @VillageMarketingCo. How can you apply this to your business or brand? We will be answering any questions and brainstorming with you on this.

Haiku Summary

Fox needs promotion
Casey leaps over oceans
Viral commotion 

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Think you can do better? Did we count wrong?

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