Word of Mouth Marketing: Are You Left Behind?

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In its very basic definition word of mouth marketing refers to the passing of information from person to person.

While originally word of mouth marketing was referred to strictly oral communications (you know… words out of your mouth), it now includes all sorts of communication methods like email, websites, blogs, phone, text messaging, and anything else personal or even not-so-personal.

Is word of mouth marketing the same as social media marketing?

Well, it is a much broader term and actually includes social media marketing as one of its subcategories.

Side note: since I am getting tired of typing “word of mouth marketing”, I will sometimes refer to it simply as WOMM.

So why am I bothering to bring to you this seemingly boring and somewhat common-sense information on WOMM?

Because word of mouth customer endorsements of your products/services/company/you are a very highly valued commodity among online marketers, and you don’t want to be left behind on this concept.

Say, you are looking for a plumber, carpet cleaner, good Indian restaurant, new diaper brand that does not leak, the best dry cleaning service around - what do you do? Call all those listings in the yellow pages and interview everybody?

Chances are you call your mom/neighbor/friend/coworker/fellow church-goer. And when you do get a recommendation, do you bother asking them for references? I doubt it. You just hire them on the spot “because your friend said so.”

Why would you do such a silly thing (after all, your friend doesn’t even like Indian food)?

Because, most information received from a trusted source has a certain appearance of credibility.

Research and just plain common sense show that people are more inclined to believe word of mouth marketing above any formal methods of promotion. The person receiving word of mouth referrals tends to believe that the other party is speaking honestly and without an ulterior motive, like financial gain.

So what does word of mouth marketing mean to you and your business?

Plain and simple - without positive buzz around YOU, Inc., you are done with.

As we all know, the era of door-to-door salesmanship is over. You can shout about your business from Empire State building all you want; nobody cares.

The only way for your business to not become a Titanic is to go back to the all-powerful law of attraction and attraction marketing, meaning: give and you shall receive.

Remember, your prospects are not here to help you, rather you are here to help them. So do it.

Give them you best information, tips, freebies, teach them, be interested, listen, and it will not be in vain.

Soon enough, you’ll become the talk of the internet as a giver and not a taker.

And when that happens, be ready. Your success will not be too far behind.

“And that’s all I have to say about that… [word of mouth marketing]” - Forrest Gump.

Not quite… How about what NOT to do with WOMM? Can you think of some things you used to do before you knew any better, or your upline taught you that did not make any sense, or you saw other business owners do?

I’d love to hear from you!

Word of mouth marketing: the floor is yours (i.e. tell me more in the comments below!)

PS For more no-nonsense marketing training and tips from YourNetBiz, fill out this short spam-free form:

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