Word of Mouth – Visualized (Photo credit: mvellandi)
If your customers like what you do they will share with people around them anyway and we all know that’s the best form of advertising – right? On the flip side if they don’t like it they will undoubtedly share even more… that’s how word of mouth works… with the internet this has a massively magnified effect… so what if you could get them to share more at low or no cost to you? Try this…
If you have a building that people visit you are absolutely bonkers not using geo location tagging such as facebook places and foursquare to advertise it. So how does it work? Well let’s give you a few recent examples… and share how they could have got more out of it…
I went to see Rock of Ages at the Theatre on the 8th with hubby and checked in there. I also took a picture and when I posted said it was an anniversary present to him. I have done several things here… I have sown a few seeds about a great present for an anniversary… I have mentioned a theatre trip for an 80s themed event that has current popular celebrities (which also has a film just released to compare it with) and may prompt those musical lovers out there to do a search and I have shared the lot… giving FREE publicity to the theatre and the production to my 1,000 or so facebook friends, 650 or so facebook subscribers and 2,800 twitter followers… oh and the 700 or so people connected to me on foursquare too… now even if a tiny % of people pick up on something that’s a heck of a lot of potential conversation starters.
So think what could happen if you use the power of #wom or word of mouth marketing and give an incentive? By checking in on foursquare your customers are saying you are great (unless of course they are checking in to say how rubbish you are in which case you have different issues to overcome…). If you offer a free drink or a ticket for another visit to the mayor or some other added value service for people sharing with their network do you think they would? All it takes is a sign up on the entrance or in other easy to spot locations and you will be surprised at just how many people will do it.
Simple reminders of things people have enjoyed are very powerful emotions to stir… and let’s face it – theatre visits are usually uplifting and special so by tapping in to the emotion you have a very powerful stimulant working in your favour which is boosted by the #wom and viral sharing.
Even your staff can help by checking in and sharing with their friends… you would be surprised at the reach they have between them… and you may spot a tendency to become a little competetive as they are most likely to nab the mayor slot… and will want to take it off each other.
You will find that people check in and leave tips – such as the best place to eat around the area or the best view of the stage, join in an answer them – they have started a conversation with you and it’s rude to ignore them. I am sure they would be delighted to have someone from the venue join in the conversation, wouldn’t you?
I also visited my local gym yesterday and started a week membership to see if I like it. This is a local business and as local person it is likely to resonate with those local to me. There were about 30 people there… and none of them had been encouraged to check in…. if only 10% of the average facebook connections to each of those people saw it that is 13 x 30…. and if it was regular it is like a subliminal message and when someone decided to have a crack at a gym they already know where to go, because their brain has filtered the information that went past and stored it for a later date. This is also were word of mouth comes in again… if it is good enough for your friend isn’t it good enough for you too? Especially if you see they go regularly?
Checkins are fantastic ways to grow your business and if you sign up with foursquare you can bypass the wait system by paying 10 dollars – this allows you to start advertising offers and incentives straight away and get your business on the map.. after all when people start checking in at other businesses in the area – yours will show up… it even shows up facebook places too.. so what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time you supercharged your #wom marketing?
Let us know how you get on and share your thoughts below and if you need a hand – we have a consultant who can help you and here’s a video that will help you get started on foursquare…
