If you're a startup, you know that word of mouth marketing is one of the most powerful growth tools at your disposal. But how do you get people to talk about your product? And once they start talking, how do you ensure they keep talking? This blog explains how to begin your first WOMM campaign.
Word-of-mouth marketing benchmarks
Here are some mind-blowing stats if you still don't realize how powerful word-of-mouth marketing, aka WOMM, is.
- Word-of-mouth drives $6 trillion in annual global spending and is responsible for 13% of all sales.
- Customers acquired through word-of-mouth promotion spend 200% more than the average customer.
- In the U.S., word-of-mouth marketing is 48% of businesses' best marketing tools.
So if you have not leveraged WOM in your marketing, this is the right time. Here is everything you need to know to build your own word-of-mouth strategy.
What is Word of Mouth?
Word of mouth is defined as the informal transmission of information about a product or service from one person to another. In other words, it's when someone tells their friend about a new product or service they've tried and liked.
Why is Word of Mouth Important?
There are a few reasons why word of mouth is so important, especially for startups. First, it's one of the most effective forms of marketing.
A study by Nielsen found that 92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family more than any other form of advertising. This is because we view recommendations from people we know and trust more credible than those from strangers or businesses.
Second, word of mouth is a powerful way to build brand awareness and reach new customers. Startups typically have limited budgets for marketing and advertising, so word of mouth can be a cost-effective way to get the word out about their product or service.
People are more likely to try a new product or service if it's recommended by someone they know. In fact, word of mouth is the primary factor behind 20% to 50% of all purchasing decisions, according to McKinsey & Company.
Third, word of mouth can help to create a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out) around a new product or service. When people hear about something from their friends, they're more likely to want to try it themselves before it becomes unavailable or mainstream.
How Can Startups can use word of mouth marketing?
There are a few ways that startups can use word of mouth to scale their business. One way is by offering incentives for customers to talk about your brands, such as discounts or free products. Another way is to partner with influencers who can promote your product or service to their large audience. Finally, you can also encourage your employees to spread the word about your company to their personal networks.
At Afleet, we help you launch and manage your influencers effectively. Infact, you can turn your users into your brand ambassadors and advocates who promote your brand and share their experiences while interacting with your products. You can learn more about ambassador marketing here before you launch your own.
What are the Benefits of Using Word of Mouth?
There are several benefits of using word of mouth as a scaling strategy for startups. First, it's an extremely effective form of marketing that can help you reach new customers and build brand awareness on a limited budget
Second, it creates a sense of urgency and FOMO around your product or service which can encourage people to try it before it becomes unavailable or mainstream. Finally, using word of mouth is a great way to build relationships with customers and create advocates for your brand.
Five easy steps to launch your word-of-mouth marketing campaign through brand ambassadors
1. Choose your ambassadors
The first step to launching a successful word-of-mouth marketing campaign is to choose your ambassadors. These are the people who will be spreading the word about your brand to their friends and family. Choosing ambassadors who are passionate about your brand and have a large social network is essential.
You can get some interesting ideas from our recent case studies if you are starting from the scratch.
2. Create compelling content
The second step is to create compelling content that your ambassadors can share with their social networks. This content should be interesting, informative, and shareable. Additionally, it should be tailored to the interests of your target audience.
3. Make it easy to share
The third step is to make it easy for your ambassadors to share your content with their social networks. This means providing them with shareable links, images, and videos that they can quickly post on their social media accounts.
4. Reward your ambassadors
The fourth step is to reward your ambassadors for their efforts in spreading the word about your brand. This can be done by offering discounts, free products, or other perks. Additionally, you can publicly recognize your ambassadors on your website or social media accounts.
5. Measure your results
The final step is to measure the results of your word-of-mouth marketing campaign. This can be done by tracking the number of new customers or website visitors that you receive as a result of the campaign. Additionally, you can use surveys or customer feedback to gauge the effectiveness of the campaign.
From the Afleet dashboard, you can evaluate each campaign submission and see if it's worth the praise and accept/reject it based on quality.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a few quick tips on how to get started with your brand ambassador program and successfully launch word-of-mouth or WOM campaigns. Keep in mind that these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to possibilities – the sky's the limit!
If you want to launch a kickass Word of mouth marketing campaign for your brand, Talk to our team of experts who can provide you with the necessary information and a custom strategy to build real organic growth for your brand. Talk to us today, its Free!