Effective advertising goes beyond word of mouth. While it’s great when customers spread the word, relying solely on this organic approach won’t maximize your visibility. Unlike the shampoo ad where word of mouth spreads effortlessly, real-life recommendations often need a nudge.
Local businesses aren’t dominating Twitter trends or prompting recommendations on Facebook these days. Without proactive engagement, customers may appreciate your service quietly without sharing. Turning satisfied customers into vocal advocates requires proactive steps.
While word of mouth is cost-effective, it’s not a substitute for advertising. Many businesses overlook proactive marketing, banking on obscurity until a competitor takes the lead. Successful businesses leverage customer satisfaction into testimonials, broadcasting their reputation far and wide without breaking the bank.
Online Reviews ARE Testimonials that need your Attention!
Online reviews are the modern-day testimonials demanding attention. A costume company recently told me that they don’t have a lot of competition and anyone that uses costumes already knows of them. A marketing professional looks at this in a completely different way. If you feel the business you have is the business you’ll get – you aren’t going to motivate it to grow. Whatever happens, happens. Seeing or hearing the testimonial of someone who rented a Stormtrooper costume, became the life of the party, and enjoyed an amazing Halloween last year could inspire others to rent an authentic costume this year. A professional marketer knows that some really big businesses exist that sell thousands of different costumes online and deliver within days – maybe they’ll be the first ones to go after the 99% percent of people who aren’t using rental shops yet. Me, I like to support the local Vancouver Island company – the local Canadian company. Helping little guys become bigger and better!
Harness the power of testimonials and online reviews to motivate potential customers. Invest in professional marketing strategies to amplify your brand’s voice and reach new audiences effectively. Monitoring and responding to online feedback on platforms like Google, Facebook and the BBB can significantly impact your business’s online presence and reputation. The best companies pay attention to marketing.
