Choosing an Online Campaign

First, I’d like to say that I’m no marketing expert. However, I’m enough an Internet addict to realize a working campaign when I experience one. A successful online campaign will have visitors spreading their own news before their friends might’ve seen the advertisement in the papers.

In other words, if you have a campaign that will generate a word-of-mouth plague then you know the campaign has won many hearts of the targeted market. So let’s see what online campaign works for some of my friends.

It wasn’t long before others started copying the presence of Alex Tew’s Million Dollar Homepage. I’ve seen several others emerge after a few weeks offering half the price you need to pay. The lucky few might’ve rode the wave successfully hitchhiking on Alex’s success.

But as we know, nothing beats the original because it’s where the hype started and won’t die unless the creator does something drastic. Like how Apple’s iPod might be killing Apple by its own. *roll eyes*

So let’s start with the first friend. I’ve only met MenJ once and I take it he’s this very religious type person because he’s got several Islamic targeted websites and his recent addition was Noorullah Online.

I don’t understand what it means but from the title; Serving the ummah through Noorullah Online, I think it means something like to serve God online. Wikipedia as well didn’t have any information on this so I’ll let MenJ do it when he does come about.

If he’s looking to gain revenue to donate to charity, I honestly think this isn’t the best campaign to be used. As much as we hate those people going around asking us for a dollar in exchange of a bookmark, a packet of tissues or snacks, it works. Feelings of pity aside, the best online campaign for a charitable activity like this should be using more words to explain and educate the visitors.

After all, why do you think people bring the person who’s blind with them? (I am not insulting the disabled!)

The next friend we’re going to visit is Yvonne Foong. She’s a real fighter against an incurable illness called neurofibromatosis. As much as an illness like that could dampen someone’s spirit, she’s a great writer who’s even had talent of publishing her own book. Now that’s someone who’s strong inside.

She recently started one of her online campaigns called Cash For Hope, dubbed as ‘My Own Million Dollar Homepage’. Will this work for her?

Well, it might because she actually explained the reason of her campaign unlike MenJ’s. But will the spaces filled come close to the original Million Dollar Homepage? Maybe not.

My reasons can actually be found on her blog entry regarding Cash For Hope. What I told her in honesty is that this replicated online campaign only makes visitors feel that she should be pitied. Which we don’t want it happening at all because she’s a fighter.

I feel that what Yvonne should’ve done is continue promoting her Heart4Hope campaign. As much as it might be an offline effort at first, the online market for apparels like t-shirts is expanding and not to mention with online banking, it’s much easier to purchase one.

I believe there are not a lot but enough designers who are willing to help Yvonne. Although they might take a slightly longer time coming up with a t-shirt if they’re working, it’ll be a continuous campaign that could be expanded online.

Other than that, there could be a small online donation drive started by herself and other friends. Imagine like the people who we pay a dollar. If we had a small drive like that going, we’ll be able to collect RM500 or more by a month. Besides, RM12 a year isn’t too much to ask.

After all, what are friends for if we don’t care about them.

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