Promoting Your Business by Word of Mouth

Many business owners take careful consideration into the type of advertising they buy.  They want to choose the right keyword for their pay-per-click campaigns or the best publications and websites for their other paid ads.  However, there is a free type of advertising that deserves just as much attention, but is largely ignored.  That type of advertising is known as “word of mouth.”Positive word of mouth advertising happens when a client or colleague recommends you and your business to another person.  Of course, negative word of mouth advertising can happen, too.  That is when someone dissuades another person from using your services.  There are several things you can do to generate positive word of mouth advertising.

Providing quality products and services will set you apart from the competition and greatly increases the chances of receiving positive word of mouth advertising.  If you do a great job on a project for someone, they will definitely let others know about it.  Plus, they’ll want to hire you again for any upcoming projects they have.  Performing quality work is definitely the first step in generating a solid customer base.

Along with providing great work, you’ll also want to provide great customer service.  Your clients can easily hire someone else to do the work they hired you for.  Taking the time to respond daily to emails, quote requests and phone calls is very important.  When your business is too big for you to do this by yourself, outsource this function to a virtual assistant. 

Past and current clients are not the only ones who will refer you to new clients.  Networking with other, non-competing business owners who can pass your name out to their own clients will help too.  A virtual assistant, graphic designer, and ghostwriter can all share the same clients. 

If you haven’t taken the time out to brand your business, you may want to consider taking the time to do that now.  When you brand your business, people will automatically associate you with that brand.  When they meet someone in need of your products or services, they will easily remember your business and therefore, be more likely to refer you. 

Some examples of branding strategies include Nike, Apple, and even Rachael Ray.  You know that when you want athletic shoes, Nike has them.  Apple is known for having the best, most cutting edge Mp3 players.  And if you want a speedy 30 minute meal, you don’t have to look any farther than one of Rachael Ray’s television shows, books, magazines or DVDs.

Word-of-mouth advertising can be very effective.  If used correctly, you’ll be reaching many new customers, and you won’t have to pay a dime for it.

Amy Milillo

Marketing 4 WAHMS Co-Owner
http://www.Marketing4WAHMs.com

Mineral Girlz Regional Manager
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Bungalow 19 Bath & Candle Co. Ind. Rep
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Sweet Cloud Nine, LLC
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