Let’s Talk About Word of Mouth Marketing
It may not be as sexy as social media, but it works.
Imagine a scenario where everyone is buzzing about your product, and you didn’t have to break the bank to get them to do it. They’re snapping selfies with it, hashtagging their picture-perfect life into oblivion while using it, and telling their friends, “Have you heard of X? Because you have to buy X.” They’re so loud and passionate, the room shakes. And there you are, getting all of the love without the P&L heartache.
Word of mouth is the holy grail of marketing because it provides two ultimate forms of brand validation — social proof. People buy from people and trust the recommendations made by people. Customers who have purchased your products and raised their hands as a virtual vouch are signaling to others that you’re worth their hard-earned dollars. Word of mouth also lays the foundation for brand loyalty, an anomaly in our fickle, choice-paralyzed times. And it’s free.
Word of mouth is that marketing unicorn that impacts every stage of a customer’s path to purchase. Consumers want to hear about the experiences of people like them. Nearly 95% of people read reviews before making a purchase decision. Your ratings and reviews can be the clincher when it comes to getting a prospective guest past the evaluation stage to purchase…
