What is Word of mouth Marketing?

What is a Word-of-Mouth Marketing Strategy?

Word-of-mouth marketing is a marketing method that encompasses any and all ways people talk about your company with others. It’s a marketing method that organically drives discussions about your business.

A word-of-mouth marketing strategy is a plan to generate buzz and interest in a product or service through organic, viral methods. This can be done through online channels like social media and forums, or offline through face-to-face interactions and events.

Definition

Word-of-mouth marketing is defined as a marketing strategy that brands use to encourage, influence, or impress people or target audiences to organically talk about your brand, product, service, campaign, event, or experience with others.

This marketing strategy is usually used to generate more interest in what you’re offering, to increase sales or conversions, or simply to get your name out there. Word-of-mouth marketing can be a very effective way to promote your business. After all, people are more likely to listen to and trust recommendations from people they know, rather than a faceless company.

Why Word-of-Mouth Strategy Matters for Retailers

There are a few key reasons why retailers should focus on word-of-mouth advertising:

• It’s cost-effective. Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies there is. It doesn’t require a big budget, and it can be done through organic channels like social media, online forums, and face-to-face interactions.
• It’s credible. People are more likely to listen to and trust recommendations from people they know, rather than a faceless company. Word-of-mouth marketing can help build trust and credibility for your brand.
• It’s viral. Word-of-mouth marketing is a form of organic or viral marketing. It’s a way to organically spread the word about your brand or product through social interactions. If people are talking about your brand, it can quickly lead to more people talking about your brand.
• It’s trackable. With the right tools, you can track word-of-mouth marketing campaigns and measure their effectiveness. This data can be used to improve future campaigns.

How to Build Word-of-Mouth Marketing Strategies

There are a few key things you can do to build word-of-mouth marketing strategies

1. Make it easy for people to talk about your brand

Make sure your branding is strong and easily recognizable. Use social media, online forums, and face-to-face interactions to get people talking about your brand.

2. Create shareable content

Create content that is interesting, informative, and shareable. This could be blog posts, infographics, videos, or any other type of content that people will want to share with others.

3. Focus on customer service

Giving outstanding customer service is a great way to get people talking about your brand. Word-of-mouth marketing is all about creating positive experiences that people will want to share with others.

4. Host events and meetups

Hosting events and meetups is a great way to get people talking about your brand in person. This could be anything from a simple meetup to a larger conference or event.

5. Offer incentives and discounts

Offering incentives and discounts are a great way to get people talking about your brand. This could be anything from a simple discount code to a more elaborate referral program.

6. Keep track of your progress

Keep track of your word-of-mouth marketing campaigns with the help of social media analytics, Google Analytics, and other tools. This data can be used to improve future campaigns.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing Strategies

Some of the ways to make and use word-of-mouth marketing strategies are

1. Create triggers for word of mouth

Make sure your branding is strong and easily recognizable. Use social media, online forums, and face-to-face interactions to get people talking about your brand.

2. Monitor mentions and responds ASAP to keep conversations rolling

Keep track of your word-of-mouth marketing campaigns with the help of social media analytics, Google Analytics, and other tools. This data can be used to improve future campaigns.

3. Appeal to your audience

Create content that is interesting, informative, and shareable. This could be blog posts, infographics, videos, or any other type of content that people will want to share with others.

4. Provide value to customers

Giving outstanding customer service is a great way to get people talking about your brand. Word-of-mouth marketing is all about creating positive experiences that people will want to share with others.

5. Actively gather and curate user-generated content

Offering incentives and discounts are a great way to get people talking about your brand. This could be anything from a simple discount code to a more elaborate referral program.

6. Tap into emotion

Focus on creating emotional connections with your audience. This could be anything from evoking happiness or laughter to tugging at heartstrings. Emotional content is more likely to be shared than rational content.

7. Get product ratings on your site

Including customer ratings and reviews on your site can help to increase word-of-mouth marketing. This is because potential customers will see that others have had positive experiences with your brand.

8. Encourage user-generated content (UGC)

Encouraging users to generate their own content, such as blog posts, videos, or photos, is a great way to get people talking about your brand. This is because it helps to create a sense of community around your brand.

9. Ask for reviews and recommendations directly

Asking customers for reviews and recommendations is a great way to get people talking about your brand. This is because it helps to create social proof around your brand.

10. Tell your story

Telling your brand’s story is a great way to get people talking about your business. This is because it helps to create an emotional connection with your audience.

11. Extend your brand’s reach through employee advocacy

Encouraging employees to talk about your brand is a great way to extend your reach. This is because employees are trusted sources of information.

12. Create exclusivity

Creating a sense of exclusivity around your brand is a great way to get people talking about your business. This could be anything from offering exclusive discounts to VIP members.

13. Assemble your army of influencers and brand ambassadors

Working with influencers and brand ambassadors is a great way to get people talking about your brand. This is because they have a large reach and can help to create social proof around your brand.

14. Boost positive social comments and customer stories

Highlighting positive social comments and customer stories is a great way to get people talking about your brand. This is because it helps to create a sense of community around your brand.

15. Provide customer service that over-delivers

When customers are happy with your product or service, they’re more likely to tell their friends and family about it. This word-of-mouth marketing is incredibly valuable, as it can help attract new customers and create loyalty among your existing customer base. Word-of-mouth marketing is all about creating positive experiences that people will want to share with others.

16. Create hashtags

Creating branded hashtags is a great way to get people to talk about your brand. This is because it helps to create a sense of community around your brand.

17. Offer freebies

Offering freebies is a great way to get people talking about your brand. This could be anything from a free product sample to a discount code.

18. Conduct giveaways and contests

Conducting giveaways and contests is a great way to get people talking about your brand. This is because it helps to create a sense of community around your brand.

19. Focus on creating great content

Content is king when it comes to Word-of-Mouth Marketing. This is because great content is something that people will want to share with others.

20. Make it easy to share your content

Make sure that your content is easy to share by using social sharing buttons or embeddable links. This will make it more likely for people to share your content with their social network.

21. Use influencers and brand ambassadors

Working with influencers and brand ambassadors is a great way to get your content seen by more people. This is because they have a large reach and can help to promote your brand.

Word-of-Mouth Marketing and Referral Marketing

are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different types of marketing. Word-of-Mouth Marketing is when customers talk about your brand to their friends, family, and acquaintances. Referral Marketing is when customers share your brand with their social network through a link or code.

While Word-of-Mouth Marketing can be more organic and happen naturally, Referral Marketing is more structured and deliberate. Both Word-of-Mouth Marketing and Referral Marketing can be extremely effective in growing your business.

Examples of Word-of-Mouth Marketing Campaigns

1. Coca-Cola’s Share a Coke campaign:

Coca-Cola’s Share a Coke campaign was a Word-of-Mouth Marketing campaign that encouraged people to share photos of themselves drinking Coca-Cola with their friends. The campaign was extremely successful, generating millions of social media impressions and increasing sales by 3%.

2. Ford’s Word of Mouth Marketing campaign

Ford’s Word of Mouth Marketing campaign was a brand-advocate-based Referral Marketing campaign that also channelized influencer movements. Using referral programs was also useful for the business model. The campaign was successful, generating over 1 million leads.

3. Netflix

Netflix understands its customers’ wants and needs by using the data they provide. This way, Netflix not only recommends shows to users but creates entire seasons of new content that is suited to the platform’s biggest interests. Using this data in a logical manner, the firm has been able to improve consumer sentiment, resulting in an army of Netflix influencers who extol the company’s virtues on several social media platforms. This free advertising has allowed the business to expand rapidly beyond its competitors such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, and even YouTube.

4. Sephora’s Beauty Talk Word of Mouth Marketing campaign

Sephora’s Beauty Talk Word-of-Mouth Marketing campaign was a Word-of-Mouth Marketing campaign that encouraged customers to share their favorite Sephora products with their friends. The campaign was successful, generating millions of social media impressions and increasing sales by 5%.

5. Dunkin’ Donuts

Not only is Dunkin’ Donuts a vital part of American culture, but it has become a tourist destination for many. The delicious and affordable product has been made into a brand that Americans love, with staunch followers around the world. Thanks to these amazing people, Dunkin’ Donuts have found innovative ways to utilize word-of-mouth marketing. Social media is a powerful platform for brands to connect with their customers. By posting unique content and running competitions, followers are encouraged to engage with the brand on a regular basis. This can involve liking or sharing content, or even creating their own around the brand to show their experience. For example, one company’s hard work paid off with 15 million Facebook fans, 1.5 million Instagram followers, and 1.2 million Twitter followers.

Here is a video by Marketing91 on Word of mouth Marketing.

Benefits of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

1. Increased trust and brand visibility

When potential customers see that their friends, relatives, or other people they know and trust are talking about your brand, they’re more likely to pay attention. Word-of-mouth marketing can help increase trust in your brand, as well as brand visibility.

2. Make a meaningful impact on customers through authenticity

People can smell in authenticity from a mile away. Word-of-mouth marketing is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on potential customers by being authentic and transparent. When people see that you’re genuine, they’re more likely to trust you and do business with you.

3. Earn long-term brand loyalty

People are more likely to be loyal to a brand that they trust. Word-of-mouth marketing can help you earn long-term brand loyalty from customers. If you can get people talking about your brand, you’re more likely to keep them as customers for the long haul.

4. Get more bang for your buck

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies there is. It doesn’t require a big budget, and it can be done through organic channels like social media, online forums, and face-to-face interactions.

5. Reach a wider audience

Word-of-mouth marketing can help you reach a wider audience than you would with traditional marketing methods. If people are talking about your brand, it can quickly lead to more people talking about your brand.

6. Boost sales and conversions

If done right, word-of-mouth marketing can be a powerful tool for boosting sales and conversions. People are more likely to listen to and trust recommendations from people they know, rather than a faceless company.

7. Get feedback and improve your product

Word-of-mouth marketing can also be a way to get feedback about your product or service. If people are talking about your brand, you can quickly learn what they like and don’t like. This data can be used to improve your product or service.

8. Drive social media engagement

Word-of-mouth marketing can help drive social media engagement. When people are talking about your brand, they’re more likely to share it on social media. This can help increase your reach and get more people talking about your brand.

9. Word of mouth is the most powerful form of marketing

Last but not least, word of mouth is the most powerful form of marketing. It’s trusted, authentic, and free. What more could you ask for? If you can get people talking about your brand, you’re on your way to success.

Conclusion!

Word-of-mouth or WOM marketing is still one of the most powerful tools in a business’s arsenal to optimize a business or brand presence via positive organic word. In the digital and social media marketing age, it has taken on a new form, but the bottom line is that satisfied customers lead to new customers.

There are a few key things to remember when pursuing word-of-mouth marketing:

• First, focus on creating satisfied customers. This is the foundation of any good word-of-mouth marketing strategy.
• Second, take advantage of social media and online reviews. Make it easy for customers to leave positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Finally, focus on customer loyalty. Once you have a satisfied customer, work hard to keep them coming back.

By following these tips, you can tap into the power of word-of-mouth marketing and create a steady stream of new customers.

What are your thoughts on word-of-mouth marketing? Let us know in the comments below!