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Spread the Word: Creating a Buzz with Word of Mouth Marketing
Most people have probably come up with at least one business idea in their lifetime. But having the courage and conviction to act on that initial idea is another thing altogether, as giving up a secure full-time job is never an easy decision to make.
But for those who are brave enough to take the plunge into self-employment, there are several basic 'rules of thumb' that will stand the business in a much stronger position to succeed in the long-term.
For example, anyone who has done their homework should know that the first stage of any business venture is always to produce a business plan with clearly defined goals. Seeking advice from business start-up specialists will help to minimise the potential for costly mistakes early on in the company's life.
Of course, it goes without saying that there are many factors that contribute towards running a successful business. But there is one factor above all else that is central to every thriving enterprise; one that can determine whether or not the company sinks or swims.
As such, the importance of good customer service can never be understated. The customer is ultimately the source of all revenue and should be encouraged at every opportunity to return with their business. Having a core client-base ultimately removes a lot of the pressure from constantly having to market and target new customers.
However, it's worth noting that by offering genuinely good customer service, this has additional benefits to simply encouraging the customer to return. If they are happy, then there is every chance they will recommend the company to a friend or colleague, which can be a very effective and cost-free marketing tool.
With so much competition in every industry, it can often be difficult to decide which company's services or products to opt for. But having a recommendation from a friend or trusted business acquaintance is often all it takes to be swayed towards using one business over another.
Word of Mouth Marketing is one of the most powerful marketing techniques any business can use, but it is of particular use to smaller businesses without a sizeable budget to promote their company's wares. Whilst Word of Mouth Marketing can be as simple as providing good customer service in the hope that they make a business referral, there are other proactive ways of ensuring customers willingly carry out a lot of the marketing legwork.
For example, it may be an idea to provide incentives, whereby someone receives a reward if they refer 5 of their business colleagues. With the advent of the internet era, social-networking platforms and other online media channels are a very effective way of disseminating information to a wide range of people very quickly.
But creating a genuine buzz through Word of Mouth Marketing requires an honest approach that doesn't exploit any parties involved; which is why good customer service is the underpinning factor in any successful business venture.
About the Author Bian Salins is the Managing Editor of BT Tradespace - an online community where businesses can advertise and sell products & services and everyone has the opportunity to shop, chat and share their opinion.
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