Word of Mouth Advertising

Word of mouth refers to the spread of messages from one person to another. It can be done through face-to-face interactions, through mobile phones, through the Internet and other media channels like TV and radio. Particularly when it is done voluntarily without any kind of payment involved, word of mouth advertising is very powerful because you are putting your reputation on the line by making a recommendation.

To generate word of mouth advertising and maximize its benefits, follow these 6 tips from your Billings, Montana accountant:

Respond Immediately to Word of Mouth Advertising

Whether it’s positive feedback or negative feedback, it is important to respond promptly. If it’s a simple thank you for a great product or great service provided, a simple welcome or acknowledgement will be sufficient. And when it’s anything negative, responding with urgency is even more crucial because it gives a customer the feeling of being valued. Sometimes, what started out as a disastrous encounter can be transformed to an amazingly memorable one, if you just take the time and exert sincere effort to set things right and turn a disappointed customer to a happy patron (who is likely to refer you to more people).

Have Social Media Presence

Let’s face it. The influence of social media has been going strong for some time (Facebook has been around for over a decade), and it doesn’t take a genius to see that knowing how to capitalize on this will be a big promotional help for any type of business. People talk on social media all the time so make sure you have accounts on the most popular channels like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Know what your customers are talking about and make it an effort to interact with them. Connect with them on a more personal level and talking about you with their friends, family, and other associates will come naturally. Word of mouth advertising spreads quickly on social media; especially through customer service watchdog groups.

Be Honest

Marketing has a tendency of exaggerating the positive and undermining the negative. While this is generally a given, it is still important to set limitations so customer expectations can be managed more effectively. When a question about your service or product is asked, answer truthfully. If you lie and it results in some kind of injury, illness or damage, the situation will be that much harder to address and might even result in major losses. Keep in mind that even if you might not have been able to sell your product at that instant because it really isn’t what the customer needs, he/she will remember your honesty and possibly tell other potential customers about your business.

Share Positive Feedback

You’ve been working hard to provide a great product and exceptional service. When customers take the time to write about how pleased they are about your business and express appreciation for your efforts, isn’t it only fitting that you take pride in what you accomplished? Don’t be coy about it. When you receive positive reviews, proudly display them on your website and your social media pages. Especially now that most consumers tend to rely on reviews before deciding on making a purchase or availing of services, testimonials from satisfied customers boost interest in your products and encourage others to give your business a try. Of course, never ever forget to thank your customers for such inspiring feedback.

Provide Incentives

When waiting for customers to talk about your product is taking a bit too long, it’s time you give them a little push. This can be done by providing incentives. For example, you can give coupons or discounts to customers who leave reviews, or those who refer their friends. The best word of mouth advertising is done because people love your service or product, but sometimes they need a gentle reminder (in the form of a gift card).

Aim for Personalized Service

It is not uncommon for customers to remember the service provided even more than the actual product purchased. When a customer makes a special request, rather than look at it as an inconvenience, it should be regarded as an opportunity to exceed, and not just satisfy expectations. He/she will surely be pleased that you went out of your way to provide what he/she was asking for, and telling other people about the great experience will be a strong likelihood. Plus, you will have gained a loyal customer for sure.

Practical Taxes is here to Help

When you have your word of mouth advertising down just right, your business is going to explode with growth. All that growth will mean that you don’t have time for things like preparing your own taxes, and doing your own payroll. You focus on your business, and let us focus on the mundane accounting details.

Practical Taxes provides tax preparation and accounting services to the Billings, Montana area.