I had this idea, folks! Many people around are using their mishaps and bad news to create buzz. Is it a good practice of viral marketing? For example, SnapNames, Twitter, Coppermine Gallery, etc. How do you think, was it viral marketing or just a plain folly to let the news become too public? Here's the original post about bad news for viral marketing but I hope we could have a nice discussion here! Thanks.
I think it probably depends on the market you are in. For example, blogs might not see such a problem as a web hosting provider would. I know I would never buy from a web hosting provider that constantly announced a two minute downtime report because I don't want to have ANY downtime.
How about a blogger who insults his commenters and call them names You're right! People tend to have a better memory for bad things.
I think it could help promote a business with some controlled buzz but It could also hurt a business if its done wrong or people find out its viral marketing. You don't want to loose trust if your business requires trust. I don't think you should call your commenters names but you could become a troll and get more comments until every one gets tired of you and stops commenting back.
I think good news work also the same way and it could be as effective as the bad one for viral marketing. It's only how you construct the lines and what topic is it about.
Thank you for the good point. It is exactly how it is - you have to be veeeery clever to succeed in viral marketing, especially if a mistake could ruin your reputation.
You can't make a bad news as a mean of success. But you are just loyal and share it. In case problems happen, be open and share it, in case it help your clients better understand you and feel that your are honest and transparent. If done for a purpose, would make be annoying, and damage reputation. "Good name is better, than a perfume".