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Rediff.com  » Getahead » 6 reasons why the Ice Bucket Challenge got your attention

6 reasons why the Ice Bucket Challenge got your attention

September 02, 2014 09:53 IST
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Do you know what attracted people across the world to dump a bucket of ice on themselves?

Read on to find out why and how the awareness campaign became an overnight sensation.

Bill Gates takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Photograph: icebucketchallenge/Facebook

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has become viral and a big hit.

It has become one of the most successful charity drives, as everywhere on social media there are videos by friends, family members, celebrities, or even of you, which simply states how it engaged everyone and not just raised awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but even collected donations for the same.

The challenge involves emptying a bucket of ice on your head in an attempt to raise awareness about the side effects of ALS, a condition that impacts the functioning of human nerves -- and simultaneously, raise money for charity.

Towards the end of the activity, you must challenge a friend or someone you know to do the same.

Like every other hit campaign, the ALS Ice Bucket challenge too holds certain key takeaways to learn from.

Read on to find out what they are.

Hassle-free participation

In the ALS Bucket Challenge, you do not need to make N number of preparations or put extra efforts to accept the challenge.

It's simple; you just need a bucket, ice and water.

Likewise, make sure that while promoting any assignment or making it viral, you offer a simple process to the audience to get engage.

A lengthy participation process would not give you desired results.

Combination of popular mediums

The combination of Facebook and videos has done the magic.

People love to see videos (specially filled with fun activities) and Facebook has no doubt became a part of people’s everyday life.

Personal invites

Sending mailers or asking for people to participate through different social channels might not give you assured results.

However, when a friend or relative sends personal invitation in the form of challenge, then that proves to be magical.

In ALS IBC, individuals are invited on camera by their friends and relatives on social channels, and they simply don't get reasons to deny the challenge.

Strong words, powerful words

No doubt with sending invitations, one spreads awareness but to generate actions, there has to be call of action.

For this, using powerful and persuasive words can change the game.

In the ALS IBC, the word 'Challenge' hit the bolt.

A friend challenging another friend enhances the probability of participation, and that's what has happened in this case.

Deadlines are important

If you need urgent actions then you need to create urgency for it, and thus giving deadlines is important.

Doing the challenge within 24 hours is what gave phenomenal participation results.

And yes, never forget if you are inspiring people to do something on urgent basis, make sure it's simply simple and effortless.

Perfect timing

If this ALS Ice Bucket Challenge would have been promoted in winters, then it wouldn't have been this successful.

The timing of the challenge perfectly matched with the hot and humid weather, which has gone in sync with spreading awareness for the noble cause.

ALSO READ: ALS ice bucket challenge: Bill Gates, Lady Gaga have done it; will you?

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