If you ever need to launch a viral marketing campaign, or just get something big started (like a party), the 3 minute video you’re about to watch should stick in your memory forever.

It starts off with some guy dancing by himself. By the looks of it, most of the people view him as a slight oddity, and ignore him. Then, he’s joined by a second person, and a third… and very soon, well… just watch the amazing video below, and then we’ll discuss the importance of this video to whenever you’re planning something big.

Now, here’s what you, as a marketer (or party planner, or social creature) need to know about this…

• The guy, by himself, was probably considered an “oddity” by some – and others who perhaps wanted to dance weren’t brave enough to do so.
• However, when he was joined by the second person, it suddenly gave “permission” for others to join as well.
• The third person added “social proof” by turning it into a group – and since there was now a small group dancing, more individuals could comfortably join without taking quite as much of a “social risk”, as it were.
• And so more people – the braver souls – were willing to join, and did so.
• This quickly growing group was now the center of attention, because of the speed at which it was taking place, prompting yet more people to join.
• At some point, the group size reaches a “critical mass” where it’s now cool to be part, and the majority actually become part of it.
• The guy who started it off now looks “cool”, and it’s the ones still sitting on the grass in bewilderment that look “odd”!

In one simple video, you’ve seen how things go viral, and you’ve gained a glimpse of the mechanisms that make it happen – the core idea, permission, social proof, creating a group, speed, critical mass.

Now go create a viral campaign. I did earlier today, and I’ll be kicking it off with a blog post about it later this week… for my campaign, it all starts with a simple report about Retweet Links which you really should be using on your blogs.

Or, just party like you’re at a music festival!

Twitter users, please click here to share this post with your Twitter followers and help them learn about viral marketing while watching a great video! You also want to follow the party at @paulhancox, which you know is the right thing to do.