Using Word-of-Mouth Marketing For Your Business
Word-of-mouth recommendations are still an effective way of driving customers to your business without the massive costs attached to other forms of marketing. This article will help you think through how to use word-of-mouth marketing and how to encourage more recommendations from your customers.
Even as an insurance company, Towergate Insurance knows one of the primary ways you will gain customers is by word-of-mouth recommendations. If the statistics are right, you’ve probably taken out a trade specific policy for your business based on a personal recommendation.
Often a word-of-mouth recommendation comes off the back of a painful experience for a customer – an experience they would like to avoid a repeat of.
Given the option of pleasure or pain, a customer will choose to avoid pain every time. A good recommendation, then, can be the difference between a pleasurable experience and repeat business or a painful one.
How can you make sure that, in the words of the adage, ‘all news is good news’ when it comes to recommendations from previous customers?
Great Work Recommends Itself
If you do a great job to the best standards, customers will naturally recommend you the next time a friend, family member or colleagues needs a job done.
Great works sells itself – every single time.
Ask for Feedback and Referrals
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If a customer believes you value their opinion, they will gladly give it and gladly give to someone else!
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Leave a comment card or an online survey. Once you get a good idea and implement it, thank the customer for their suggestion.
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Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback or for a referral.
Use Social Media to Drive Word-of-Mouth Recommendations
Social media is built on the principle of conversation – so use that conversation for your business.
One recommendation on a Facebook page can reach hundreds of potential new customers. In fact, one study in the United States found that 81% of users were influenced in making choices about products and services by social media posts.
Get customers to take pictures of completed work with their reviews and provide a face to the recommendation.
6 Word of Mouth Marketing Tips to Get People Talking About Your Business http://t.co/AsQL6SrjFH
— Eventbrite (@eventbrite) July 21, 2015
Follow-up
Delivering great work means your customers will be at their happiest once the job is done.
Make the most of their satisfaction by getting in touch to thank them for the opportunity. Encourage them to give their feedback and refer you to others who may need your services.
Build on your existing relationship with customers by following up and finding out how they are enjoying your work. Ask them to recommend you to others in future.
Do not underestimate the power of a follow-up conversation for driving new business in your directions.
No matter your trade, we’re here to help you get the most out of your business.