Promote Your Business Through “Word-Of-Mouth” Marketing

Put simply, word-of-mouth marketing works!  Think about it.  When a friend recommends a movie, restaurant or merchant, do you pay attention?  Sure you do.  After all, you trust your friend and his or her opinion.  That’s a trust that no amount of advertising dollars can totally duplicate.

Before the Internet, word-of-mouth was one of the best ways to introduce your product or service to the people.  People would find a product that they liked and they would tell a friend about it.  That friend would try the product, like it and share it with their friends.  It’s like that old shampoo commercial where the lady says  ”I told two friends about XYZ and they told two friends and  so on and so on and so on.”  See how it works.

If you’re running a small or home-based business, word-of-mouth advertising can be your best marketing strategy because it doesn’t cost much (if anything) and it’s very effective.  The tricky part is how to get people talking about your product.  Well, that’s why we’re here today.

Much of what you will see below will be done offline.  Yes, it’s true.  You can promote your online business outside of the Internet.  Trust me.  You really can.

Strategies for Word of Mouth Marketing

• Give outstanding customer service. – Let me tell you, this one is crucial.  Nothing will get you praised or trashed faster than the customer service you give.  In today’s world, people are used to being treated like a faceless account number.  When you go that extra mile, you win their trust and their loyalty.  I’m a big believer in giving top notch service and I like to receive it as well.  How do you take care of your customers?  Well, you let them know that you appreciate them.  Thank them for their business.  Online, you provide instructions and tips for using the product.  Most importantly, you follow up to make sure they’re happy; if they’re not happy, you fix the problem right away.
• Get your name out into the community – Don’t be the “invisible business.”  Let people know you are there.  Place ads in your local community directory or church newsletter.  Attend community events.  Let people know that your business exists and what your products/services are.
• Give out samples – Sometimes you have to give some to get some. Donate sample products to prize baskets for fundraisers. Donate your own prize basket to raffles and other community events.
• Use promotional items – Invest in shirts that contain your logo. In the summer give away key chains, bottle holders, cups and refrigerator magnets. Family members can give them out to their friends. Be sure to poll them to see what kinds of promotional items would be the most popular.
• Sponsor a sports team – This could be the local little league team. Buy them shirts for their team and get your business name on the back. Every game they play, they will be representing you.
• Remember to thank customers who “spread the word” – When a customer recommends your business to a friend, thank them for doing so and do it in a tangible way.  You don’t have to send them cash, but a thank you card with a free product or gift card will go a long way.  When people know that you really do appreciate their referrals, they’re more likely to continue to send them.

There are many ways to promote your business.  You can spend thousands of dollars on expensive ad campaigns or you can simply position yourself as a business which values its customers and community and let your satisfied customers do the rest.

No related posts.