The Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing
In today’s digital age, it is arguably more important than ever before to harness the power and influence of word-of-mouth marketing in the spreading of a company’s message. However, many people would argue that word-of-mouth advertising has fallen to the wayside and although it is certainly not a new idea, many would say it is no longer relevant. But they could not be more wrong. Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the best ways to grow your company and its influence.
What is Word-of-Mouth Marketing?
Word-of-mouth marketing, otherwise referred to as word-of-mouth advertising, is a recommendation provided by a satisfied customer to prospective customers. It is considered to be one of the most effective forms of business promotion and is a fantastic way to advertise and market your business for free.
Why Should You Care About Word-of-Mouth Marketing?
It goes without saying that nothing encourages potential customers like a recommendation from a trusted friend or family member. According to a Nielsen study,
“92% of consumers around the world say they trust earned media, such as recommendations from friends and family, above all other forms of advertising.”
However, with the emergence of digital marketing and social media, word-of-mouth recommendations can now be shared publicly. Therefore, it’s more important than ever that we care about this form of marketing.
To be competitive and stand out online, a business needs to cut through all the noise and understand the values of their customers to use word-of-mouth advertising to their advantage.
The Benefits of Word-of-Mouth Advertising
According to Forbes, customers who were recommended to a business are 18% more likely to stay with the organisation than other customers. Some of the other benefits of word-of-mouth advertising are:
- It promotes trust in potential customers
- It creates long-term value
- It helps build your brand
- It is a free form of advertising
- It gets consumers talking about your business
How to Encourage Word-of-Mouth Recommendations
Many companies assume that excellent word-of-mouth recommendations will happen organically. However, this is rare and can be difficult to achieve. It takes exceptional service to inspire an individual enough to promote your brand by recommending you to others. Instead, there are numerous ways you can encourage your customers and get them raving about your business.
Be Sure to Thank Your Customers Regularly
Companies and brands that take time to genuinely thank and appreciate their customers can make a huge difference. A simply thank-you email with a reminder of your brand’s purpose is one of the best ways to make a customer feel special and goes that extra mile, helping your business stand out. Often, it’s enough to encourage positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
Provide a Bonus or a Small Surprise
Show your customers you really care about them by offering them a bonus or a small surprise such as:
- A thank-you note
- A gift they’d value
- Offers and discounts
These small acts leave a lasting impression and often customers will not hesitate to recommend your service to others.
Always Provide Your Customers with the Best
Do you know the best way to grow your business and increase your number of customers? Excel in everything you do and always provide your customers with the very best! If you build your business or brand around excellence, trust, and unbeatable customer service, your customers will not hesitate to recommend your services to others.
At Bamboo Nine we want you to stay with us because we are delivering the results and unrivalled service you want – not because you’re tied to us. We want to be judged on results and that’s why believe in complete transparency and the striving for mutual respect.
Grow Your Reputation Online
Positive word-of-mouth recommendations all contribute to the growth of your brand and business. Most customers will review your business online and in today’s digital world, word-of-mouth interactions are readily available through email, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn (to name a few!).
While word-of-mouth marketing isn’t a new concept, we believe it is more important than ever for brands to harness its positive influence. And as your business continues to grow and positively influence others, word-of-mouth recommendations will follow.