Word of mouth marketing is the easiest marketing approach ever. Will it be the only marketing you can rely on? Most definitely not, but it should be part of your marketing mix. Everyone talks about word of mouth promotion, however few people really think about how it can affect your business.
A positive experience with your company or service, can be a plentitude of referrals. Unfortunately, people are more likely to talk about your business when they are unhappy than when they are happy or satisfied. Therefore, good customer service generally reduces “negative” word-of-mouth. However, there are many things entrepreneurs and business professionals can do to positively impact their business through word-of-mouth. Building your business through word-of-mouth is about cultivating relationships with people who get to know you and trust you. Here are some few simple ways you can start your word-of-mouth marketing.
- Include a signature on the bottom of every transactional email your company sends out, include this even on personal emails. Your signature should have an email address, contact number and most importantly a web address. Ask your recipients to tell their friends or refer you to anyone they know that could use your service or goods. This way they always have your information handy.
- Include customer testimonials on your marketing materials. There is nothing more impactful than hearing another persons experience with something. Its customer influence that can greatly boost a business. Think about how often a friend has said “Oh you should go there, it’s great!” More often than not, you make a mental note to definitely check it out.
- Giveaways with your logo or company name on it – I am all for giving away useful gadgets with your companies info on it. If you can afford some promotional items, like a pen, calendar or coffee mug – have them done up with your company logo and website. These in-your-face items can really go a long way for you. Plus if they use it around others, your logo gets viewed again and again.
- Sponsor an event -some times organizations may need your service instead of your money. Try asking your next event planner in your area that you are looking to donate time and service in return for advertising. This is a great way to start getting your name out there.
Rocket science, no way but these are really pretty easy ways to get marketing at a really low cost!
