Viral marketing and the network effect - What sheep have to do with it
12/04/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS
Viral marketing is a strategy designed to spread like wildfire. It refers to the spread of information through social networks, passing the information from person to person. The network effect occurs when someone recommends a product or service through word of mouth, so there is an exponential increase in awareness and popularity.
Sheep are related to viral marketing and the network effect because they exemplify a natural network effect. When one sheep leaves the area, the other sheep will follow it because they have become familiar with the behavior of the first sheep. When the network effect is applied, it can have a powerful effect as customers are encouraged to recommend a product or service to others. This allows you to reach a large number of people that you would otherwise not be able to reach.