Many small business owners tell me they rely heavily on word-of-mouth for increasing their visability and attracting new customers. It's easy to sit back and allow word-of-mouth to do its thing, but with a tiny bit of marketing elbow grease, businesses can turbo boost this powerful marketing tool and maximise its money-making shine.
I've got five steps up my sleeve that will help you use word-of-mouth marketing for maximum effect:
Provide great customer service: The foundation of successful word-of-mouth marketing is providing excellent customer service. Make sure your customers feel valued and appreciated, and go above and beyond to meet their needs. When customers have a positive experience with your business, they are more likely to recommend you to their friends and family.
Encourage reviews: Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your website, social media pages, or other review sites. Positive reviews can be a powerful tool to attract new customers, as potential customers often look to the experiences of others before making a purchasing decision.
Offer referral incentives: Consider offering referral incentives to your existing customers for referring new customers to your business. This could be in the form of a discount, a free product or service, or another type of reward.
Get involved in the community: Participate in local events, sponsor local organisations or charities, and get involved in your community. This can help you build relationships with potential customers and increase your visibility in your local area.
Use social media: Social media can be a powerful tool for word-of-mouth marketing. Share customer stories and testimonials on your social media pages, and encourage your followers to share their experiences with their friends and family. You can also use social media to offer exclusive promotions or discounts to your followers, which can encourage them to share your business with others.