Create a Customized Screensaver

I must say that I'm surprised that this viral trick is not used more. It can be very useful, especially if you have a site that is geared towards entertainment.
The idea behind this is to create a simple screensaver that promotes your site and then offer free downloads to your visitors. Imagine thousands and thousands of people flashing your site's address across their PC screens.
Now, you may ask, "Why would someone want to download a screensaver advertising my site?" Well, that's a good question and the answer is you have to make the screensaver appeal to them.
For example, I used this concept on a site I owned a few years ago. It was a website about the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. I created a screensaver that rotated pictures from the cast.
I bought a simple screensaver creation program from a company called CustomSavers.com (no longer exists). The software was very easy and it automatically creates a simple executable (.exe) file that you upload to your website for your visitors to download.
To promote my site, I created a simple JPEG image ad for my website that rotated along with the pictures of the cast. The program also imbeds your website address in the control panel of the screensaver so when people adjust the settings your link is displayed.
The nice thing about this viral marketing tool is that your visitors do all the work. ;) Screensavers are fun so people enjoyed telling their friends about it. In no time, my site was getting instant exposure thanks to the numerous Days of Our Lives fans that helped spread the word.
In order for this to be effective, it's important to create a screensaver that relates to the theme of your site.
For example, if your site is about gardening and you offer a screensaver with pictures of birds, it may not go over as well because that's not what your audience came to your site for. Offer a screensaver that relates to what your site is about.
To get your own custom screensaver program, visit Yahoo.com