In 1954, Peter Drucker simply defined the purpose of a business was to “create a customer”. Do any business owner’s object? I think this is simply the most perfect definition. However, like anything beautifully simple, you need to read between the lines just a bit. For one, once you create a customer how do you keep them? And how exactly do you create a customer? You create a customer through marketing but, most importantly, Word Of Mouth. Oh yes, word of mouth even in today’s digital world with so many different types of marketing for customers to find your business. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising. Your network of referrals will bring you the most loyal customers and, customers that you keep are of the highest value. Even as a sales person the quickest and best way to make a new sale is through a referral. No matter if you’re in sales or if you own a business, you have either given or received the objection “most of my business is from word of mouth.” Great that is awesome! You must really provide great service to your customers! Did you ever think about where they went to find your phone number or address? No matter how much customer 1 raves to potential customer 2 about how absolutely perfect your business is, I doubt that customer 1 has the address or phone number of the business memorized. So Mr. business owner where does customer 2 go to find your business?
It is very difficult to decide which advertising medium will be the most effective. Of course the objective of your marketing is to maximize your investment. So how does a local business know what works? Well that all depends on what type of business you are running or, more specifically, the type of customer you are trying to attract. Most business owners look to paid marketing options before they have taken advantage of a ton of free and cheap marketing that will grow their word of mouth.
#1 Claim your Google Listing!
- Do a quick search for your business on Google and click on the listing that corresponds to the spot on the map. A landing page will come up and just click on “manage this page”. Fill out the information and have Google send you a text of a pin to verify you are the actual owner. Bam! This is a free way to really boost your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) so people can find your business easier on the internet.
#2 Facebook
- Come on it’s Facebook. Sign up, get friends, post deals, do everything. It is literally the internet’s version of word of mouth.
#3 Twitter
- Same story just faster. Get a twitter and tweet constantly. Try to tweet several times a day and it doesn’t have to be all about your business. Build rapport with your potential customers let them know who you are.
- I have recently discovered a software program that makes twitter completely automated. Go to http://www.tweetadderdeluxe.com/ you can add your tweet and set them to post whenever you want. Tweet Adder is free for 30 days and then only $55 for 1 profile. It is amazing and it works on auto pilot.
#4 Linked in
- Having a good LinkedIn could make your business look very professional. It is a great way to connect with other high professionals if that is the type of business you work in. Also, set up your own profile and promote how qualified you are as a business owner.
#5 Email Newsletters
- Collect emails of your customers through your website and email them monthly to keep constant contact. Do not do it to an annoying point but, just don’t let customers forget about you. There are also automated email marketing software out there will run on auto-pilot for you once you get it set up. Most of these systems cost about $20 a month but the investment is worth it if you never use a customer.
#6 Start a Blog
- WordPress blogs are the new craze and they are totally free. You can also very easily set your facebook, twitter, and LinkedIn to post everything you post to your blog. All of these free services work as a system and will greatly help your business spread word of mouth and help people find you and keep them as a customer after the word has been spread.
- You can also pay $12 for a domain name and $5 a month for hosting to have your WordPress site run as an extremely cheap website.
There you go six ways to spread your word of mouth for really cheap and to “create a customer”.
Related articles
- Word of Mouth Is Now Online – A story from the trenches (coverboom.com)
- Word of Mouth is Now Online – A Story from the Trenches (boom360.com)
- Is Social Media the New Word of Mouth? [RESEARCH] (contentmarketinginstitute.com)
- Ask an Expert: How Can Small Businesses Run Local Deals That Actually Work? (blogs.constantcontact.com)
- How to Build Word of Mouth in 2012 (clurradonald.com)
