Word of Mouth Advertising

Learn how the most effective form of advertising is also the least under your control

When was the last time you went to a shop and had a really excellent experience? Maybe the clerk just went out of her way to help you and you came home feeling like a million bucks.

How many people did you tell about that experience?

More than likely you told several people and then made a mental note to return to the shop as soon as possible.

This is exactly how word of mouth advertising works. When you give someone an excellent experience, not only do they feel great, they remember the experience and also tell their friends.

Advertising is becoming less and less trusted as a way to make good choices about spending. The simple fact is, even if an advertisement says a product will work, there's no way of knowing if it will or not unless you actually try it.

But if your Aunt Sally used X product and had a great experience a Y store, and her word is one you already trust, then that's a form of advertising you will listen to and trust!

Consumers are far more likely to trust the opinion of a friend or family member because that person has no vested interest in the product selling. Why would your Aunt Sally care if you go buy that product or not, she's not getting paid for it!

It's always important to remember that word of mouth advertising can also work negatively too.

When you have a bad experience with a product, you want to tell everyone you know that it's a bad product. And if you have a terrible experience at a store, chances are you will hold a grudge against that store or particular sales lady for a very long time.

This is why it's so important to make sure your customers are always #1 and get the service and attention they deserve.

If you're continually working to help customers and go above and beyond your competition, chances are customers will start spreading word about you on their own.

You can encourage customers to use word of mouth advertising for you by:

• Bring a Friend Day - Run a promotion that rewards customers for bringing in new friends and family members to your business. Offering a real discount of 50% off or a $15 coupon will really encourage customers to introduce their friends to your business.
  
  
• Get a Free Gift with 5 Friends - Here's a fun promotion you can even run online. Tell all your customers to spread the word about your site to 5 friends. If all 5 friends buy samples, you send the customer a free gift.
  
  
• Testimonial Requests - Asking your customers for testimonials is a great way of adding credibility to your site. New customers can read your testimonials and feel confident ordering from your site. Offering a free gift or discount is a great way to encourage customers to send in more testimonials.
  
  
• Always carry business cards - When someone asks you what you do for a living and shows interest in your business, make sure you can hand them a business card so they can learn more about your business. Even if you work online, having business cards is still a great way to spread the word about your business locally.

Word of mouth advertising is the most trusted, effective way for new customers to learn about your business.

Always make sure you're portraying a positive business image so that customers feel encouraged to share information about your business with their friends and family. Never make the 10 Worst Business Mistakes, as they may be the difference between success and failure for your growing business.

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