Gangnam Style: How did it go viral?




"Heyyy... sexy lady" 
AND
"Op, op, op, op, Oppa Gangnam Style" 

 Do you guys remember this song phrase being sung everywhere?? 

I got to say typing this song lyrics right now, got it ringing clearly in my head. I am sure you guys have heard these lines "945984729" times. If not, at least I know I did. :P 

There's a saying that if you don't know Gangnam Style, you're living under a rock. Gangnam Style became a world-wide sensation when it was introduced by K-Pop star Psy in 2012. 



FACTS: "Do you know Gangnam Style music video has been viewed more than 2,148,483,647 times making it the MOST watched ever YouTube video"
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30288542

When I say the video broke the Internet, it practically did as Gangnam Style exceeded Youtube's videos limit. Not forgetting, a man even died while attempting to dance the Gangnam Style. 

 Let me get started with some tips on how to create this Oppa Gangnam Style Phenomenon... 

According to Kaplan & Haenlein (2011), there are 3 elements that are useful in influencing the success of viral marketing (Messenger, Message & Environment). 

#1. You need to identify the MESSENGER that are going to transform your plain ordinary message into a phenomena. 

Psy, the star of Gangnam Style is part of a large record label, YG Entertainment in Korea. YG Entertainment has a huge platform with 2.5 million Youtube subscribers and also, a huge fan following on Twitter. With a large dedicated K-pop fan base, it comes to no surprise that Gangnam Style is able to seed a viral marketing campaign. 

#2. You need a memorable and interesting MESSAGE

With Gangnam Style, it definitely caught my attention when I first heard it on Youtube. Gangnam Style music is catchy with a simple and repetitive rhythm. Even though the music video was silly, it did had many hilarious scene, which added to the video's overall appeal. Also, I am sure most of you have not forgotten the popular horse riding dance moves. ;) Gangnam Style is a good example of delivering a memorable message among all age groups as the video managed to attract millions of viewers. People all over the world were able to danced the dance and mouthed along to lyrics they don't even understand. A true phenomena! 


Do you guys remember the elevator guy??? 

#3. You have to create a favorable ENVIRONMENT for your message to go viral. People will only pass the message when they have a strong affective response and it's not already something everyone knows about. 

The Gangnam Style was able to stand out uniquely and distinctively that it made it 'THE VIDEO" that you would want to pass to your friends. The music video had created a huge ripple effect that has contributed to a high level of engagement among social media users, influencing a huge variety of culture across the world. 

After Gangnam Style video was released to the public, its popularity stayed on viral (infectiously). Here are some examples: 

  • According to infographicjournal.com: 
- On Facebook, Gangnam Style video has been shared 25,490,717 times
- On Twitter, Gangnam Style video has been tweeted about a total of 1,191,235 times. 

  • By 2012, the song has topped the music chart of more than 30 countries  

  • After the video was released, the popular dance became infectious with Gangnam Style flashmob taking over the world by storm. Not forgetting, the signature dances moves were also attempted by many notable political leaders such as, U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who praised the global hit as a "force for world peace". 


Have a look at the flashmob across the world and you will be surprised! 


  • Also, the video was easy to replicate that it has also helped contribute to a variety of  Gangnam Style humorous parodies, which caught many attention on social media. 
  • Lastly, in my opinion Gangnam Style also created peer pressure or peer influence, which had contributed to its great success. This peer pressure had encourages people to watch the video in self-defense. For instance, "What? Have you not watched Gangnam Style??" You are Lame!!!" 


Let's end this blog post with the Gangnam Style music video. ;) If you are not one of the 2,148,483,647 viewer *click click* 
Please leave some comments below, what are your thoughts on viral marketing? :) 




Reference List:
Kaplan, A. M. & Haenlein, M. (2011). Two hearts in three-quarter time: How to waltz the social media/ viral marketing dance. Business Horizons, 1(54), 253-263.

 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30288542

 http://www.thedrum.com/news/2012/10/30/case-study-how-gangnam-style-went-viral-campaign-yg-entertainment

 http://infographicjournal.com/gangnam-style-the-social-media-impact-of-a-viral-video/

 http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/gangnam-style-gets-un-stamp-of-approval-20121010-27cbq.html
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Guide to be #1 on Google Search Engine

"Do you know Google dominates the search engine market share globally with 66.74%?"(netmarketshare.com) 


It comes as no surprise why majority of online businesses wants to climb up to be on the first page of Google Search Engine Organic Result. Some customers would not even consider the second page in their decision making process. 

So, what exactly is SEO?

“SEO is a marketing discipline focused on growing visibility in organic (non-paid) search engine results” (moz.com) 

To begin with, businesses online would need to continuously improve their listing by staying relevant and compatible to the search engine to sustain their position. Whether it is a product, service, mission or a message that a business wants to promote online, no one does it better than SEO in delivering a variety of benefits just about ANY type of organization that wants to reach its target customers. 

TOP #3 benefits of SEO
(1). Cost Effective:
Advertising your business can be really $$$, however SEO can help reduce the costs. SEO focuses on helping to target user who are actively searching for products & services (like yours) as well as, assists customers in saving time and effort when searching. A win-win situation for both party!!

 (2). Drive Traffic:
Seriously… think about it. As a business, what’s the point of having a website if it isn’t driving traffic, right? If your potential customers are not capable of seeing what your business is selling, how do you expect your business to make $$$ if they simply can’t purchase it. Hmm…

(3). Increase awareness in search engines:
Brands that stand out at the TOP of the Google’s search engine are usually what users would pay attention to as they are generally perceived to be more "trustworthy". Thus, being at the top would mostly likely give you the privilege of being patronise by your target customers.

The next question: What can you do to GET FOUND ON GOOGLE'S FIRST PAGE?

#1. Relevance content 
Create ORIGINAL (useful, rich and fresh information) that clearly and accurately demonstrates your content. Always remember quality comes first before quantity. Be honest with yourself: “Is my site really one of the top sites IN THE WORLD on this topic to make it to the first page of GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE? If not, start making it better.

#2. Keyword Search
As a business, it is critical to understand your target audiences. Be on the same page as your potential customers. This means that business must anticipate the words that customers would utilise when searching for their products and services on Google Search Engine.

  • Note: it is all right to utilize your "keyword" repetitively but never do it forcefully or excessively. Keep it readable!

#3. Page Title & Meta Description
SEO 101: It is important to keep in mind that the page title is a significant element. With a unique title, it will assist both Google and users to understand what the page is all about.

Keep your Meta description short and descriptive. The page description would assist researcher in Google search engine results page. Make it unique as compared to the 1000000 other websites out there to convince researchers to click and visit your website. Great advertising opportunity! 

#4. URLS
Keep it short and sweet. Using keywords in your URLS and file names can be helpful.

  • Note: Use hyphens in your URLS, as it can be treated as a space. 

 #5. Inbound Links
Inbound links are essential to direct customers and Google to your web page. To achieve this, start sharing your expertise to make it worth-while. The more popular your web page is, the better it will be. Trust me, you will gain global popularity in no time. 

#6. Be Patient
Lastly, success does not take place overnight. With SEO, it isn’t about instant gratification. Results may come later than expected. Businesses need to invest in a great amount of time and energy to build their online presence. Be patient! 



 Please do leave some comments below :) let me know what you think of SEO. 

Reference List: 
https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo
http://searchengineland.com/21-essential-seo-tips-techniques-11580
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The Next Big Thing: "Internet of Things"


Internet has been here for quite some time now, and from my previous posts where I have been consistently emphasizing on the wonders of Internet and how it helps people stay connected from all over the world.

But today, we shall leave that a side.

Would you want to be part of something that helps optimize operation, reduce costs, boost productivity and improve lives?? Well, the next big thing is here!!  It is the "Internet of Things” – where the web and the physical world will meet

All of us know about the seven wonders of the world, well let’s re-imagined the city in a whole new level


What exactly is Internet of Things (IoT)??

IoT revolves around machine-to-machine communication, built on cloud computing and networks of data-gathering sensors making everything in our lives from streetlights to seaports “smart” (Wired.com, 2014) 

In other words

It basically enables the ability of things around us to sense and touch and collaborate and communicate with other things! Staying smart and connected is the way to go! ;)

Let’s look at some of the ways that IoT can assist you in building your "SMART" dream home and make your everyday life even simpler and convenient.

#1. 


Hive Acting Heating packed with a bundle of awesome features allows you to take heating and hot water control to a whole new level. Forgetting to turn on/off your heater?? Not to worry, Hive will send you reminders from your phone location. With a variety of color frames to choose, Hive will blend in well with your house in no time 

#2. 

Locked your cars with the key??? With Delphi Connect features, it enables you to take command of your door locks, trunk, horn and remote car starter directly from your smartphone or computer.  It practically works with ANY car (even the one sold with the 1996 model year). 
Start using Delphi to keep an eye on your car! 

#3. 

 Are you one of that traveller who gets frustrated waiting for your luggage to arrive, or perhaps worrying your luggage might end up in another part of the world??? With Trackdot’s artificial intelligence, it enables you to monitor your luggage on air travel and text you when it arrives at the destination. Also telling you how far it is from the luggage belt, you can quit worrying now!

#4.
Wanna live a more illuminated life?? Meet Lifx Light bulb! It’s the brightest, most versatile Wifi-LED light bulbs. Control your lights with up to 160 million different colors, 1000 shades of white and a maximum brightness of 1000 lumens. Suiting to the mood to the theme of a party or even setting a scene to a relaxing bath sounds like a good idea!

#5. 
Whistle is a wireless based sensor device that attached to your dog’s collar and passively collects data about your pet’s activity 24/7 a day. Just like the Fitbit device for humans, Whistle helps measure the time spent active of your dog. EVEN Our four-legged friend can also be part of this powerful wearable electronic device. A healthy dog is a happy dog! :)


With IoT is becoming part of our lives, we are able to reach out and control anything from anywhere in the world, through just a small device embedded in your electronics. But what happens to our privacy?? IoT is collecting ever more information about ourselves, our lifestyles and environment. Thus, the more interconnected the world becomes, there is a higher possibility of greater mass disruption. As everything is connected to a giant electronic brain, Terrorist attacks and hacking could unleash chaos with just one finger.

To live in a smart city, occupied by smart people with a smart system… is it all worth it? What will be the costs of the Internet of everything? Are the benefits still overpowering the costs and risk? Let me know at the comment box below! :D 





Reference List: 

TEDxCITt: "Internet of Things" video 

http://www.wired.com/insights/2014/11/the-internet-of-things-bigger/
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