Where is one of the first places you turn to when you need to find a new product or service to meet a need you have? If you are anything like me, when I’m stumped on where to turn I usually reach out to local family or a few friends for some ideas or recommendations. I trust these opinions far more than any review I find online.
“According to Nielsen’s latest Global Trust in Advertising report, which surveyed more than 28,000 Internet respondents in 56 countries, 92 percent of consumers around the world say they trust earned media, such as recommendations from friends and family, above all other forms of advertising—an increase of 18 percent since 2007.”
92%! Wow! I’m definitely not alone in my trust of a recommendation over all other media outlets! So how do we use this information in our marketing plans? Let’s look at a few ways you can start to get in on the conversation more often!
How To Help Word of Mouth Happen?
1. Over Deliver
Give them something to talk about! Nothing will leverage great word of mouth results better than creating a positive customer experience in the first place. When you take care of your customers they will want to tell others. Whenever you can do something above and beyond in the customers eyes, that is what they will be sharing and quick to share when a related topic of conversation emerges. Your customers want to build a long term relationship with you and they want to trust that you will continue to value this as well. As the trust grows so will their loyalty to your company and the likelihood that they will share about you whenever they can.
2. Be A Reliable Referral
A referral program may be just the thing you need to get your already happy customers to start sharing their experiences with their close family and friends. Consider implementing a handout item/gift that can be shared and can introduce your business to someone new! Make this program easy and rewarding for you customers. Have your Value Proposition ready to share and pass along so your customers can help you in sharing this message with others.
3. Ask, Nicely!
If you have not, create a system to ask for referrals and testimonials from your customers. Not only are these helpful in your other marketing areas but this allows your customers to reflect on what they do like about you. Once they share it with you they will be more likely to share that same feedback again.
Final Thoughts
Word of Mouth marketing is FREE and it remains a proven and powerful way to grow your business. Sit down today and consider how you could better use this information to leverage your marketing efforts towards success.
Looking for more information and ideas on this topic? Check out this Neilsen article.
Need help developing content to leverage Word of Mouth with your customers? Let’s Chat about it!