GOING VIRAL by Robin Burcell

Robin Burcell, an FBI-trained forensic artist, has worked in law enforcement for over two decades as a police officer, detective and hostage negotiator. Her thriller about an FBI forensic artist, Face of a Killer, debuted November 2008 with a starred review from Library Journal. The Bone Chamber is the sequel, due out in December. She is the two-time Anthony Award-winning author of four previous novels featuring SFPD Homicide Inspector Kate Gillespie: Every Move She Makes, Fatal Truth, Deadly Legacy and Cold Case. You can visit her website at:
www.robinburcell.com/





GOING VIRAL by Robin Burcell

And no, I’m not talking about the latest flu vaccine. I’m talking about my new book trailer video for THE BONE CHAMBER that appears on the face page of my website. I happen to think it’s a great book trailer and I am wondering if it is possible to make a video go viral on word of mouth alone.

I thought about trying the Microsoft-is-gonna-make-you-a-millionaire approach. You’ve probably seen it in an old e-mail, the one that tells you that every person you send this link to, and so on and so on, Microsoft will send you a buck. If people believe that and send an e-mail out a gazillion times, causing it to go viral, why not my video?

Hmmm… I’m thinking that the mystery-reading world is much more savvy than that.

Okay, what about Plan B? What if I use part of the plot from my book in hopes it will generate some interest in a takeoff of the old 419 Nigerian scam?

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to you from Italy to let you know that I have recently found the sum of US 35.4 million dollars buried in a bone chamber in Naples. The money is in trust for the heirs of Prince Raimondo di Sangro, who was deposed by the last band of pirates masquerading as Templar Knights who attempted to wrest the darkest secrets from the Vatican. Due to civil unrest and the deterioration of the bone chamber, the money must be deposited in a safe account. If you consent, my firm will be willing to pay you half the funds in payment for the use of your account to hold said funds until it can be returned to di Sangro’s heirs when they are located.

Please view THE BONE CHAMBER video so that you can determine that what I am saying about the pirates who attempted to wrest secrets from the Vatican is true. After you view the link, please pass it to two or more people then forward to me your bank account numbers so that I can deposit the money into your account for safekeeping.

Sincerely,
Mr. Carlo Adami
Crime boss… er, make that Solicitor to heirs of di Sangro

Unfortunately if my e-mail does go viral, I might actually get someone who forwards their bank account numbers, when what I really want is for them to go out and buy the darned book… Plan C is clearly needed…

Wait. I’ve got it… You know that spam you get, the sort that advertises careers via e-mails? Become a nurse! Become a cop! How about this one:

BECOME A SPY. You too can become a spy for a top secret covert government organization. Work for ATLAS from your home and earn top dollars. Simply view THE BONE CHAMBER video and learn how you can serve your government and save the world without ever leaving the safety of your own home!

So what do you think? Any chance of these going viral? Any better ideas? What is your favorite spam and how could you possibly link it to THE BONE CHAMBER video ??? Come up with something good (or even bad for that matter. This is all about fun) and your name (be sure you include your email address!!!!) will be entered into a drawing for a free ARC of THE BONE CHAMBER (which comes out this December). You could try sending the link to two of your friends, and telling them to send a link to two of their friends to see if Bill Gates really does send money, but I think your odds of winning a book in a drawing by simply making a comment here are much better.