Is Viral Marketing Permission Marketing?
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
At SEMforSMB, I hear one speaker say that one type of permission marketing is Viral Marketing. He was saying that things like widgets and linkbait are just as good as emails, etc. I am not sure I agree there, if you think about what some people consider viral marketing. I must define before I move ahead, so please wait before butchering me. 
If linkbait is done the right way, it is just an extension of your regular marketing. It is an interesting article, list, or application that directly connects with your product. People know what they are using and reading is related to you and it makes them more interested in your product. If they like your marketing, your writing, and they then sign up for more information on their own, that is permission marketing.
But what some linkbait and viral marketing has become isn’t permission marketing. What you wrote, designed, or released is funny, fun to read, etc. But is it related to your product? If it’s not, and you get people’s info from it, or push your unrelated product in any way, it really isn’t permission marketing.
So I get his original point, but I’m not sure it applies in all terms of viral marketing.
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