I created a website ( http://JulieWillYouMarry.me ) to propose to my girlfriend Julie in July 2011 and after it making it to the front page of reddit… it became somewhat of an internet sensation. This slide show discusses some of the reasons it might have spread so far.

1. Anatomy of a ‘viral’ proposal. I
by @jimbabb

2. A digital love story.
ME
M Y GI RL FR IE ND FIANCÉ,
JULIE

3. We met online through a
dating site’s algorithm. After
two years of dating, I decided
I would pop the question.
but how to do it?

4. We met online, so I proposed online.
http://JulieWillYouMarry.me
IT’S STILL UP, CHECK IT OUT!

5. Moments from our past and
present were combined with
our hopes for the future.

6. With the help of a
amazing illustrator,
the story came to life.
ALY MADE THIS!

7. Did I mention that
recorded her reaction?
She never once picked her nose!

8. My intention was not just
to propose, but to create an
artifact to share with
family and friends.
Between 200-500 people

9. However, my mom wasn’t
the only one to see it.
302,457
VISITORS IN ONE WEEK
167
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
Big numbers were just the tip
of the iceberg.

10. 3750
2500
1250
Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Social ignited the traffic and burned strong throughout.
Social Aggregation fanned the flamed.
News was hot, but was also late.
Blogs burned cool and niche.

11. Both Social and Social Aggregation
required active participation and sharing.
Which raises the question, why would peoples share our proposal site?

12. “The more we share,
the more we have.”
LEONARD NIMOY

13. }
To s t r e n g t h e n
our bond
To gi ve
me s ta tus
Why People Share
ADAPTED FROM THE RESEARCH OF HENRY JENKINS, JOSHUA GREEN, ET AL.
To d e fi ne
our col l e c ti ve
ide n ti ty

14. To s t r e n g t h e n
our bond
To gi ve
me s ta tus
OU R F R IEN DS SHA R ED TO C ELEB R A TE A N D A C KN OW LEDGE U S.
To d e fi ne
our col l e c ti ve
ide n ti ty

15. To s t r e n g t h e n
our bond
To gi ve
me s ta tus
OTHER S SHA R ED TO SHOW THEIR IN TELLIGEN C E,
A N D M Y LA C K OF G E E K S OP H IS T IC A T ION .
To d e fi ne
our col l e c ti ve
ide n ti ty

16. To s t r e n g t h e n
our bond
To gi ve
me s ta tus
To d e fi ne
our col l e c ti ve
GROUPS SHARED AND RE-SHARED AS A WAY TO
ide n ti ty D EF IN E TH EIR P ASSIONS A ND C OMMU N ITY .

17. Since the site was honest, authentic
and transparent, it allowed others to
sculpt their own meaning through
how they shared.
but let’s ask Julie. Does she buy it?

18. “Nah, people probably shared it just because we
are so ridiculously good looking.”
“Good point, Julie.”

19. Happily Ever After, etc...
by @jimbabb
illustrations by aly bellissimo
data thanks to @vladimirpick