Referral Queen

You like to be in the know – and to spread the wealth. When that roofer ruined your garden, you told a dozen friends. You also told them when your accountant saved you an extra $5,000 on taxes! You’re not alone. Eighty-three percent of online shoppers share information about their purchases with people they know, while 74 percent are influenced by others when making buying decisions. You get word-of-mouth marketing. Now how do you apply it to your business?

“The key to word-of-mouth marketing is an authentic and transparent relationship with customers,” explains Rene Siegel, President of High Tech Connect. “You can create vehicles and incentives to encourage happy customers to talk about their experiences and tell their friends.” Siegel suggests giving referral discounts and prize drawings to bring attention to your company.

Entrepreneur.com and Forbes.com offer tips on advertising and how to get people talking (e.g., make them feel like company insiders and realize customer service doesn’t just mean friendly staff).

Word of Mouth Marketing Association offers resources on this marketing niche, as well as industry news and events.

Social media can give you a boost. USA Today explains how to turn those Facebook friends into potential customers by using insider information through your fan page.

Need more? Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking outlines the essential “Five T’s” for spreading the word (talkers, topics, tools, taking part and tracking.)

By Muriel Vega

“Business has only two functions – marketing and innovation.”
Milan Kundera