You might consider getting involved in a networking group. There are many of them and the quality varies. Some people are strictly involved to hand out business cards. In other groups, the members become friends and really support each other and others' businessess.
Also check out your local chamber of commerce. They should hold networking events each month.
Word of mouth is perhaps the best type of advertising you can get. For one thing it's more trusted than other forms and for another people can actually interact about the message.
For example, you're not just getting out the message that 'I'm good', you actually have a chance for potential customers to find out why you're good etc if you are being recommended by another person. It's not a static message.
Getting word of mouth referrals is kind of tough though as it's a voluntary advertising medium, i.e. it's at the discretion of your previous customers and you can't control what they'll say, whether they'll say it, or to whom they say it.
The best way to get good word of mouhth advertising is simply to outperform customer expectaions. This can be in terms of price, quality of service, speed or any other facotrs, but preferably more than one. Ideally you want a good customer experience, one that exceeds their exopectations, and there's the key: Expectations.
You don't have to be fantastic, but if you're better than expected you'll look good in your customers eyes. In some ways the best sort of customer is one thats been burned before - they have very low expectations and expect to be ripped off or treated badly. If you do a decent job and are reliable, they'll think you're great and talk about their horror story to other people, then paint you as the hero that restored their faith - brilliant! If you happen to do a great job, or give great service etc, you'll have a customer for life inn them and they'll sing your praises every time a conversation comes up around the topic.
You can also collect contact details from previous happy clients, and offer them as endorsements to prospective new business (make sure you're old customers are happy for you to do this!!). In return you can offer them beneficial rates on future jobs. You can also add brief comments to the back of your card/flyer with a note at the bottom that these are real customer comments, contact details are available on request.
Word of mouth is perhaps the best type of advertising you can get. For one thing it's more trusted than other forms and for another people can actually interact about the message.
For example, you're not just getting out the message that 'I'm good', you actually have a chance for potential customers to find out why you're good etc if you are being recommended by another person. It's not a static message.
Getting word of mouth referrals is kind of tough though as it's a voluntary advertising medium, i.e. it's at the discretion of your previous customers and you can't control what they'll say, whether they'll say it, or to whom they say it.
The best way to get good word of mouhth advertising is simply to outperform customer expectaions. This can be in terms of price, quality of service, speed or any other facotrs, but preferably more than one. Ideally you want a good customer experience, one that exceeds their exopectations, and there's the key: Expectations.
You don't have to be fantastic, but if you're better than expected you'll look good in your customers eyes. In some ways the best sort of customer is one thats been burned before - they have very low expectations and expect to be ripped off or treated badly. If you do a decent job and are reliable, they'll think you're great and talk about their horror story to other people, then paint you as the hero that restored their faith - brilliant! If you happen to do a great job, or give great service etc, you'll have a customer for life inn them and they'll sing your praises every time a conversation comes up around the topic.
You can also collect contact details from previous happy clients, and offer them as endorsements to prospective new business (make sure you're old customers are happy for you to do this!!). In return you can offer them beneficial rates on future jobs. You can also add brief comments to the back of your card/flyer with a note at the bottom that these are real customer comments, contact details are available on request.
Have you tried the book Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson? Inexpensive ways to market almost any business.
Hope it helps.
The Chest Coach System Reviewed
BeautyStop | Window Shopper |
10/27/2010 - 6:33 am
Show Replied Text…
Word of mouth is perhaps the best type of advertising you can get. For one thing it's more trusted than other forms and for another people can actually interact about the message.
For example, you're not just getting out the message that 'I'm good', you actually have a chance for potential customers to find out why you're good etc if you are being recommended by another person. It's not a static message.
Getting word of mouth referrals is kind of tough though as it's a voluntary advertising medium, i.e. it's at the discretion of your previous customers and you can't control what they'll say, whether they'll say it, or to whom they say it.
The best way to get good word of mouhth advertising is simply to outperform customer expectaions. This can be in terms of price, quality of service, speed or any other facotrs, but preferably more than one. Ideally you want a good customer experience, one that exceeds their exopectations, and there's the key: Expectations.
You don't have to be fantastic, but if you're better than expected you'll look good in your customers eyes. In some ways the best sort of customer is one thats been burned before - they have very low expectations and expect to be ripped off or treated badly. If you do a decent job and are reliable, they'll think you're great and talk about their horror story to other people, then paint you as the hero that restored their faith - brilliant! If you happen to do a great job, or give great service etc, you'll have a customer for life inn them and they'll sing your praises every time a conversation comes up around the topic.
You can also collect contact details from previous happy clients, and offer them as endorsements to prospective new business (make sure you're old customers are happy for you to do this!!). In return you can offer them beneficial rates on future jobs. You can also add brief comments to the back of your card/flyer with a note at the bottom that these are real customer comments, contact details are available on request.
The customer is always right. A happy customer spread the word about you.
Andis Comb Set
---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.
Based on your signature it appears you are running a web-store. I have helped a few clients of mine do word of mouth promotions for e-commerce sites. Consider these options:Referral reward point systemExternal Site Review Incentives (give freebies or discounts to customers that leave reviews on blogs or forums and then share the link with you).When you mail product send stikers and other swagSocial media links on all product pages (this lets them share wish lists with friends or boast about new products they have purchased.I hope some of those ideas help you get started.
People have shared some great advice on how to use Word of Mouth to get your business known. The first and most important item is to make sure you are being honest in all of your dealings. No days it is hard to find trust worthy businesses and when you do find them you are more than willing to pass on the information to all of your friends.
Word of mouth is perhaps the best type of advertising you can get. For one thing it's more trusted than other forms and for another people can actually interact about the message.
For example, you're not just getting out the message that 'I'm good', you actually have a chance for potential customers to find out why you're good etc if you are being recommended by another person. It's not a static message.
Getting word of mouth referrals is kind of tough though as it's a voluntary advertising medium, i.e. it's at the discretion of your previous customers and you can't control what they'll say, whether they'll say it, or to whom they say it.
The best way to get good word of mouhth advertising is simply to outperform customer expectaions. This can be in terms of price, quality of service, speed or any other facotrs, but preferably more than one. Ideally you want a good customer experience, one that exceeds their exopectations, and there's the key: Expectations.
You don't have to be fantastic, but if you're better than expected you'll look good in your customers eyes. In some ways the best sort of customer is one thats been burned before - they have very low expectations and expect to be ripped off or treated badly. If you do a decent job and are reliable, they'll think you're great and talk about their horror story to other people, then paint you as the hero that restored their faith - brilliant! If you happen to do a great job, or give great service etc, you'll have a customer for life inn them and they'll sing your praises every time a conversation comes up around the topic.
You can also collect contact details from previous happy clients, and offer them as endorsements to prospective new business (make sure you're old customers are happy for you to do this!!). In return you can offer them beneficial rates on future jobs. You can also add brief comments to the back of your card/flyer with a note at the bottom that these are real customer comments, contact details are available on request.
Word of mouth is the oldest form of promoting one's business. This can be achieve by doign the following :
1.) Be fair
2.) Be true to your word
3.) Offer the best service for a very competitive price if not the lowest
4.) Be polite and listen to critism (It's always hard to please everyone no matter what you do or what you offer).
5.) Offer extra service (depending on your business ofcourse). example an extra dish if you into catering business or an additional stop if your a tour guide.
6.) Lastly make them feel special and comfortable throughout the time that they are under your wing.
just my own 2 cent worth of an opinion :)
Word of mouth is perhaps the best type of advertising you can get. For one thing it's more trusted than other forms and for another people can actually interact about the message.
For example, you're not just getting out the message that 'I'm good', you actually have a chance for potential customers to find out why you're good etc if you are being recommended by another person. It's not a static message.
Getting word of mouth referrals is kind of tough though as it's a voluntary advertising medium, i.e. it's at the discretion of your previous customers and you can't control what they'll say, whether they'll say it, or to whom they say it.
The best way to get good word of mouhth advertising is simply to outperform customer expectaions. This can be in terms of price, quality of service, speed or any other facotrs, but preferably more than one. Ideally you want a good customer experience, one that exceeds their exopectations, and there's the key: Expectations.
You don't have to be fantastic, but if you're better than expected you'll look good in your customers eyes. In some ways the best sort of customer is one thats been burned before - they have very low expectations and expect to be ripped off or treated badly. If you do a decent job and are reliable, they'll think you're great and talk about their horror story to other people, then paint you as the hero that restored their faith - brilliant! If you happen to do a great job, or give great service etc, you'll have a customer for life inn them and they'll sing your praises every time a conversation comes up around the topic.
You can also collect contact details from previous happy clients, and offer them as endorsements to prospective new business (make sure you're old customers are happy for you to do this!!). In return you can offer them beneficial rates on future jobs. You can also add brief comments to the back of your card/flyer with a note at the bottom that these are real customer comments, contact details are available on request.
The way you build a word of mouth network depends on the type of business. For example, the commenter who has a tourist-related business would probably do well to meet with desk managers and concierge at hotels in the city, to make sure they recommend his tour to guests. A local construction contractor should give out gifts and business cards to related stores or suppliers, to make sure he gets referred by their clients when they need the service he's in.
Go make friends who are one touchpoint away from your target customers. And leave something behind that creates value, like a 'tips' sheet or a map, something branded with your business that gives people a reason to remember you and recommend you.
Mention your service to your family and friends, Word of mouth travels very fast and can have some very good results if you have a website where users will actually find interest in visiting.
I also recommend making business cards for your website and handing them out, or even putting them in peoples mail boxes door to door, (if you are that motivated) - Other ways would be to put ads in stores, ask a general store if he would mind if you put a small paper in his window ( I have done this many times and they allowed me to put ads in there windows, free of charge)
There are many other ways, You just need to discover them yourself as nobody will give out there killer tips and tricks, for free. Good luck.
Kevrock529 | Window Shopper |
1/12/2011 - 10:34 am
Word of mouth can come naturally with great service,competitive pricing and a great sales staff. Referals, by far, are the best leads any business can recieve. This is also a great compliment from the customer thatrefered someone toyour establishment. I have found creating a referal program will furthermotivate all customers to refer friends, co workers, and even family membersto purchase your product or service. You would be surprised at how many customers will respond to a simple 10% off their next order for one simple referal. Every business should have or create a referal program within their organization.
Word of mouth is perhaps the best type of advertising you can get. For one thing it's more trusted than other forms and for another people can actually interact about the message.
For example, you're not just getting out the message that 'I'm good', you actually have a chance for potential customers to find out why you're good etc if you are being recommended by another person. It's not a static message.
Getting word of mouth referrals is kind of tough though as it's a voluntary advertising medium, i.e. it's at the discretion of your previous customers and you can't control what they'll say, whether they'll say it, or to whom they say it.
The best way to get good word of mouhth advertising is simply to outperform customer expectaions. This can be in terms of price, quality of service, speed or any other facotrs, but preferably more than one. Ideally you want a good customer experience, one that exceeds their exopectations, and there's the key: Expectations.
You don't have to be fantastic, but if you're better than expected you'll look good in your customers eyes. In some ways the best sort of customer is one thats been burned before - they have very low expectations and expect to be ripped off or treated badly. If you do a decent job and are reliable, they'll think you're great and talk about their horror story to other people, then paint you as the hero that restored their faith - brilliant! If you happen to do a great job, or give great service etc, you'll have a customer for life inn them and they'll sing your praises every time a conversation comes up around the topic.
You can also collect contact details from previous happy clients, and offer them as endorsements to prospective new business (make sure you're old customers are happy for you to do this!!). In return you can offer them beneficial rates on future jobs. You can also add brief comments to the back of your card/flyer with a note at the bottom that these are real customer comments, contact details are available on request.
Word of mouth is a great way to get your business noticed. Always have professional business cards handy and being recommended by customers is simply the best advertising.
There is no pretence or ficticious sales spleal involved so the potential customers are more easily won over.
mrhelpful | Contributor | 10/27/2010 - 6:33 am
dkh55 | Performer | 10/27/2010 - 6:33 am
BeautyStop | Window Shopper | 10/27/2010 - 6:33 am
francba2 | Performer | 10/27/2010 - 6:33 am
jthorf | Contributor | 10/27/2010 - 6:33 am
JimBoom | Performer | 12/28/2010 - 8:13 pm
Crayon | Window Shopper | 1/11/2011 - 7:47 pm
Kevrock529 | Window Shopper | 1/12/2011 - 10:34 am
Cancasa | Window Shopper | 1/17/2011 - 2:09 pm
NicoleD | Former Moderator | 1/18/2011 - 10:31 am
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