The best part about the overwhelming influx of digital marketing producers in the industry today is that it reopens the doors for word-of-mouth marketing again. Of course, word-of-mouth marketing has always and will always exist, as it is the most effective type. However, there is a greater opportunity today than ever before to stand out among competitors with incredibly strong word-of-mouth marketing tactics. Here are a few tips and tricks to do just that.
Tip #1: Leverage User-Generated Content
The reason why word-of-mouth marketing works so well is that people trust their peers. If they hear positive feedback about a brand from their friend or someone they know well, it means much more. They are far more likely to want to buy from that same brand in the future because they can trust that the brand will deliver for them, just as it did for their friend.
That’s why utilizing user-generated content is a good way in which marketers can build that trust with their audience. Reposting shoutouts and posts from users on your own company’s stories is an amazing way to spread awareness to your followers about the people that are endorsing your brand simply because they like it.
A great way to generate this user-made content is to do social media contests. These contests can be as simple as “Follow us and post us on your story to be entered to win a free gift card!”. By starting contests like these, you will quickly gain many followers without really having to invest much time, energy, or money. Incentives such as raffles or giveaways are incredibly enticing, and most users cannot resist participating. Do not miss an opportunity to use this user-made content for your brand. Plus, this content takes some of the pressure off of you, as the marketer, to create the actual content. It is literally free advertising that allows you some breathing room to not have to constantly be thinking of and designing content for your website or social media pages.
Tip #2 Invest in Influencers or Brand Ambassadors
While some may be tired of Instagram Influencers and there is some risk in investing in individual people as your promoters, there is a reason why they exist. Influencer marketing can work, and it often does. The truth is that everyone wants to be a part of the club. They want to be following the same people as their friends and engaging in the same common forms of entertainment. They want to be wearing the same brands and buying the same products to fit in.
In this form of the social jungle, influencers are the leaders of these clubs. As a result, if a certain influencer is promoting something, it is almost very likely that her/his followers will want to follow their lead and buy it as well.
Influencers may be problematic or cause controversy at times, but the truth is, that’s not always a bad thing. Influencers get people talking, and that is a marketer’s goal, to get people talking. Hopefully, the controversy is not specifically related to your clothes, and it simply results in more eyes seeing the jeans this potentially problematic influencer is wearing. Either way, it is more eyeballs seeing what you have to offer.
Brand Ambassador or Influencer
Even if you are not a large enough company to afford one of the more famous influencers, investing in brand ambassadors is a great, sometimes better, alternative option. Brand ambassadors do not have to be famous. They can be anyone on social media with a strong presence in their style/personality–the everyday individual.
This is a much cheaper way to get someone to represent your brand. Plus, depending on who they are, it may be even more successful because of their relatability aspect. If you think about it, it makes sense. Why would someone trust Kendall Jenner on an Instagram promotion over their best friend Julie who represents a new startup company?
Tip #3 Focus on Customer Service
People remember and appreciate the brands that make their buying process easy and enjoyable. Brands that have seamless websites and purchase pathways are consumers’ favorites because of how convenient they are. Additionally, brands that consistently answer consumer calls, emails, and messages in a timely manner with specific answers are going to come off as far more considerate than ones that simply have an AI robot in the chat box.
Furthermore, brands that make it easy for consumers to return any product no matter what and are understanding in their approach make customers want to purchase from them because there is no risk and no hassle. All of these things come together to build intense customer loyalty. This, in turn, creates positive word-of-mouth marketing. All because customers will want to spread the word about your company’s strong customer service practices.
To conclude, one should never underestimate the value of word-of-mouth marketing. By utilizing these three tips, hopefully, you can reap the benefits.
