Viral Is Good, When It's Online
In this (potentially award-winning and health-conscious) blog series entitled "Social Networking for Social Justice", I’m explaining several different social media tools, and how they can be implemented to help drive, and support organizations such as Bound4LIFE.
Since when is being 'Viral' a good thing? I always would associate the word viral with something I don't want, like 'viral meningitis". No one wants Viral Meningitis, but when you're promoting something online, then you want to be viral.
Viral, as defined by Mr. Webster, is based on the word Virus, which means "(a) Contagious or poisonous matter, as of specific ulcers, the bite of snakes, etc.; -- applied to organic poisons. (b) The special contagion, inappreciable to the senses and acting in exceedingly minute quantities, by which a disease is introduced into the organism and maintained there".
Aw dang, it is bad. Ok, let's take a new direction then, my whole point is blown. Or is it?
Contagious matter. That's how things spread. That's how ideas spread. The internet is a great place to spread ideas. Ok, going with that.
Here's the problem(and don't worry, I'll get to the solution in a couple paragraphs): Ideas can be shown to people, but if they are not revolutionary enough, or creative enough, then they won't be spread. You see, the whole idea behind "viral marketing" is that the people who hear your idea find it so fascinating that they feel compelled to forward it, spread it, talk about it, mention it, tweet about it, comment on it, sneeze it, or take some sort of action. Good or bad. That's right, even bad press is good press when it comes to an idea.
If we truly believe we have the truth about LIFE, and we want that infectious idea of the sanctity of LIFE to spread through the nation and the world, then we need to package it in such a way that it's so compelling and original, the people who stumble upon it have no choice but to spread it. What's that? The truth is enough? Maybe it is, but if no one is going to start reading it, or if their not going to bother pushing 'play' to hear it, then what good is it?
Here's what needs to happen(this is that solution I was talking about): We, the ambassadors of LIFE, need to step up our game. Car manufacturers aren't just stating that their cars are the best, they are finding new and creative ways to do it. And they are using the platform of the internet, and the power of 'word of mouth' to carry their message. CatholicVote.org wins my pick for most creative delivery method of the truth. And guess what? They're using the platform of the internet to do it.
If we refuse to utilize the tools we've been given to spread the message of truth, then the virus of abortion, hate, and deception will literally kill us. Let's get viral, and let the sound of truth, hope, and LIFE infect the hearts and minds of America and the world.
