6 Ways to Get More Positive Word of Mouth-Featured.jpg

6 Ways to Get More Positive Word of Mouth

In the digital age, it can be easy to forget the power of word of mouth. When it comes to marketing, many small businesses rely on online tactics such as search engine optimization and social media to get their message out there. While these digital strategies can be effective — and are, in fact, essential — the importance of positive word of mouth should not be overlooked.

Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful forms of marketing. People are more likely to trust the opinion of someone they know and respect than they are to trust a company’s advertising. When someone speaks positively about a business, it can have a far-reaching impact — not only on the people who hear the recommendation, but also on the business’s reputation.

Word of mouth is particularly important for small businesses, who may not have the resources to invest in advertising and other digital marketing strategies. A positive recommendation from a satisfied customer can be invaluable in helping a small business reach new customers. The more people who hear about the business, the more likely it is that the business will be successful.

Word of mouth also gives small businesses an opportunity to learn from their customers. When customers talk about their experiences with a business, it can give the business valuable insight into what they’re doing right — and wrong. This feedback can be invaluable in helping a small business refine their services and offerings.

Finally, word of mouth can be a great way to build relationships with customers. It allows businesses to engage with their customers on a more personal level, fostering loyalty and trust. When customers feel like they’re part of a community, they’re more likely to recommend the business to others.

Positive word of mouth is still an essential tool for small businesses in the digital age. And, in this blog, we're going to cover six ways to get more positive word of mouth for your business.

#1. Build a company culture that values customer service

The kind of word of mouth your business gets is a direct result of the kind of customer service you provide. It stands to reason that if you want positive word of mouth for your business, you need to make customer service a priority within your business.

The best way to do that is to foster a culture within your company that values customer service. Encourage your employees to go the extra mile for customers and make sure they’re aware of how important customer service is to the success of the business.

#2. Ask customers to share their experiences

The most effective way to get positive word of mouth is to ask customers to share their experiences. Show your customers that you value their feedback and encourage them to share their experiences on social media, in reviews or with their friends and family.

One of the easiest ways to request feedback about your small business is to send out a follow-up email after a purchase or service. This is a great way to learn what customers think about your business and to get some positive word of mouth going.

Best of all, email marketing software allows you to automate it. That means you can easily gather feedback and get more five-star reviews without having to take time out of your schedule.

#3. Leverage social media to spread the word

Social media is a great tool for spreading the word about your small business. Encourage your customers to share their experiences on social media, and make sure to follow up with them and thank them for their posts.

You can also use social media to share news about your business, such as new products and services. This is a great way to get people talking about your business and to encourage positive word of mouth.

Plus, when you get five-star reviews, you can share them on social media. This will encourage more people to leave reviews and will make it easier for potential customers to find them.

#4. Reward employees for great service

Encouraging employees to provide great customer service is one thing, but rewarding them for it is another. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they’re more likely to go the extra mile for customers.

Think about ways you can reward employees for providing outstanding customer service. This could be a bonus, a gift card or simply a thank you. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s something that shows your appreciation for the work they do.

#5. Offer a referral program

One of the best ways to get positive word of mouth for your business is to offer a referral program. This is a great way to reward existing customers for referring new customers to your business.

You can offer a discount or free product or service for each referral. This will encourage customers to refer their friends and family, and it will also encourage them to provide great customer service so that their referrals will have a positive experience.

#6. Monitor what people are saying about your business

Finally, it’s important to keep an eye on what people are saying about your business, both online and offline. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve and to address any issues quickly.

You can use tools, such as Google Alerts and reputation management software, to monitor what people are saying about your business online. This will allow you to respond to reviews and comments in a timely manner and to address any negative feedback.

By responding to your reviews, you can show customers that you value their opinions and that you care about their experiences. This will help to spur more positive word of mouth for your business.

Positive word of mouth is still a powerful tool for any business, and it’s particularly important for small businesses that don’t have the resources to invest in other marketing strategies. By following the tips above, you can encourage more positive word of mouth for your small business.

Marketing 360® has everything you need to get more positive word of mouth for your small business. Plus, you can develop a beautiful website, master SEO and content marketing, connect with your community on social media and so much more — all from a singular small business marketing platform.

Learn more and see our plans and pricing.