ttending local chamber of commerce events, passing out business cards every time you leave your house, or installing a tell-a-friend script or affiliate program on your website are all ways you can actively encourage the spreading of your marketing message by word of mouth activity.

As you can see, we have more control over this form of media than many business owners realize. And since word of mouth is such a powerful method of delivery, whether it’s real

We all know word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of advertisement available to a business of any size. But there is more to the word of mouth concept than many business owners know.

As a business owner some of your best leads have likely been referred by previous customers. Positive feedback from one consumer to another is one of the most powerful forms of free advertisement on the planet.

But did you know you can actually have more control over your word of mouth promotion? It’s true – this form of media is not just the spontaneous result of good customer service and we as business owners can actually stimulate the growth, or perceived growth, of word of mouth promotion for our ventures.

I recently went to a marketing seminar sponsored by a local broadcast TV station. One thing I found very interesting was the story of a car salesman who asked all his walk-in prospects how they found his dealership.

Being the smart marketer, he not only asked his new leads point blank about this, he had them fill in a quick questionnaire after they made a purchase. On many occasions, he noticed people would tell him at first ‘word of mouth’ was how they heard about him, and then check the box for ‘television commercial’ on the feedback form.

According to many market research and consultation firms this happens a lot. Surveys often conclude that mass media promotion accelerates a prospects perception of ‘word of mouth’ referral.

In simple terms: If you apply broadcast media such as radio and television you can create the feel that ‘everyone is talking about your business’. Often people will not remember exactly where or how they hear about or see you; they will simply know they have heard of you or seen your name.

It should also be clear that active networking enhances word of mouth. For example attending local chamber of commerce events, passing out business cards every time you leave your house, or installing a tell-a-friend script or affiliate program on your website are all ways you can actively encourage the spreading of your marketing message by word of mouth activity.

As you can see, we have more control over this form of media than many business owners realize. And since word of mouth is such a powerful method of delivery, whether it’s real

l over your word of mouth promotion? It’s true – this form of media is not just the spontaneous result of good customer service and we as business owners can actually stimulate the growth, or perceived growth, of word of mouth promotion for our ventures.

I recently went to a marketing seminar sponsored by a local broadcast TV station. One thing I found very interesting was the story of a car salesman who asked all his walk-in prospects how they found his dealership.

Being the smart marketer, he not only asked his new leads point blank about this, he had them fill in a quick questionnaire after they made a purchase. On many occasions, he noticed people would tell him at first ‘word of mouth’ was how they heard about him, and then check the box for ‘television commercial’ on the feedback form.

According to many market research and consultation firms this happens a lot. Surveys often conclude that mass media promotion accelerates a prospects perception of ‘word of mouth’ referral.

In simple terms: If you apply broadcast media such as radio and television you can create the feel that ‘everyone is talking about your business’. Often people will not remember exactly where or how they hear about or see you; they will simply know they have heard of you or seen your name.

It should also be clear that active networking enhances word of mouth. For example attending local chamber of commerce events, passing out business cards every time you leave your house, or installing a tell-a-friend script or affiliate program on your website are all ways you can actively encourage the spreading of your marketing message by word of mouth activity.

As you can see, we have more control over this form of media than many business owners realize. And since word of mouth is such a powerful method of delivery, whether it’s real

ealership.

Being the smart marketer, he not only asked his new leads point blank about this, he had them fill in a quick questionnaire after they made a purchase. On many occasions, he noticed people would tell him at first ‘word of mouth’ was how they heard about him, and then check the box for ‘television commercial’ on the feedback form.

According to many market research and consultation firms this happens a lot. Surveys often conclude that mass media promotion accelerates a prospects perception of ‘word of mouth’ referral.

In simple terms: If you apply broadcast media such as radio and television you can create the feel that ‘everyone is talking about your business’. Often people will not remember exactly where or how they hear about or see you; they will simply know they have heard of you or seen your name.

It should also be clear that active networking enhances word of mouth. For example attending local chamber of commerce events, passing out business cards every time you leave your house, or installing a tell-a-friend script or affiliate program on your website are all ways you can actively encourage the spreading of your marketing message by word of mouth activity.

As you can see, we have more control over this form of media than many business owners realize. And since word of mouth is such a powerful method of delivery, whether it’s real

edia promotion accelerates a prospects perception of ‘word of mouth’ referral.

In simple terms: If you apply broadcast media such as radio and television you can create the feel that ‘everyone is talking about your business’. Often people will not remember exactly where or how they hear about or see you; they will simply know they have heard of you or seen your name.

It should also be clear that active networking enhances word of mouth. For example attending local chamber of commerce events, passing out business cards every time you leave your house, or installing a tell-a-friend script or affiliate program on your website are all ways you can actively encourage the spreading of your marketing message by word of mouth activity.

As you can see, we have more control over this form of media than many business owners realize. And since word of mouth is such a powerful method of delivery, whether it’s real

ttending local chamber of commerce events, passing out business cards every time you leave your house, or installing a tell-a-friend script or affiliate program on your website are all ways you can actively encourage the spreading of your marketing message by word of mouth activity.

As you can see, we have more control over this form of media than many business owners realize. And since word of mouth is such a powerful method of delivery, whether it’s real or perceived, I encourage you to take a proactive stance on the matter.