ESL Podcast 280 - Viral Marketing

buzz - excitement and interest about something

In the early part of this year, there was a lot of buzz about a new computer that could do everything!

viral marketing - the ways that a company gets people to share its marketing messages with other people by using existing networks or connections between people

Viral marketing is inexpensive for companies because they can get their marketing messages to many people without have to pay for television or radio advertisements.

to spread (something) - to make something become known by more people; to make something familiar to more people

The use of cell phones is spreading across Africa very quickly.

to get plugged into (something) - to become involved in something; to become involved in a group of people

If you want to make more friends at the university, you can get plugged into some of the student organizations.

social network - an online community where each person has a profile page and can share information and communicate with other people within the community

MySpace and Friendster are two examples of popular social networks.

blogger - a person who writes a blog, an online journal that has many entries written by one person

Many companies are worried that their employees will become bloggers and say bad things about the place where they work.

in turn - one after another; as a result of something else

The teacher said to his class: If you are nice to other people, they, in turn, will be nice to you.

so on - et cetera (etc.); used at the end of a list to show that there are other things that could be listed but are not

Sheldon wants to find a boyfriend who is intelligent, successful, kind, loving, and so on.

low-cost - inexpensive; cheap

Compared to television, radio is a low-cost way to advertise.

word of mouth - people learning about something because they hear other people talking about it

Dr. Rodriguez finds a lot of new patients though word of mouth, because her patients tell their friends and relatives how good she is.

promising - having a lot of promise and potential; likely to be good or helpful

The department is being led by a promising new manager. Everyone thinks she'll do a good job.

to transform - to change something in a significant way; to make something different

Jack transformed the company from a family business into a global corporation in just 10 years.

enthusiasm - energy and excitement; eagerness to do something

Everyone likes working with Diego, because he has a lot of enthusiasm for his work.

to go over - to be accepted or rejected; to be received and reacted to by someone in a particular way

How did it go over when you told your parents that you wanted to get married next week?

sure thing - a phrase used to show that one agrees with something or is willing to do something

When Byron asked Zia to lead the project, he said, "Sure thing!" and started working on it immediately.