Elizabeth M. Johnson

Buzz is what each company wants for their product. We want customers talking about our product to their friends and in doing so, to give the coolness nod to our creation. After all, we talk about products that we like which influences our friends and colleagues and perhaps, just perhaps persuades them to pick up our product. This is viral marketing. For more on this, check out Seth Godin’s Unleashing The Idea Virus which is an absolutely fabulous and inspiring read. But how can we, as the company with a product, help facilitate this enviable word-of-mouth marketing? Look no further than the bag of chips on your counter for an actionable idea, my friend. The crazy chip folks at Doritos are creating that enviable buzz as they begin their launch of a new product (yes, a chip). They have done 3 clever things that will pique customer interest in their new product (no small feat given the crowded snackfood market).

These three pieces help ensure customer buy-in and encourage buzz via viral marketing. The actions that Doritos has taken aren’t difficult to do, more expensive to carry-out or egregiously time-consuming but they are extremely clever. Doritos has partnered with their consumer to achive their goal of selling chips. Whenever your company can partner with your client to sell more of your product, you are in a win-win position. And, of course the more products you sell, the greater your visibility, the higher your profits and the stronger your power and control. Each of these pieces helps to strengthen the business basket of your self-esteem.

How are you creating buzz….for other products or for your own?