I have always maintained that the best way to market is by word of mouth. Communicating with your network is the most powerful and important marketing vehicle you’ve got. I was so pleased to read Seth Godin’s blog last week, because he validated this marketing approach and labeled it, the secret of new marketing.
In his blog, Seth states:
Find ten people. Ten people who trust you/respect you/need you/listen to you.
Those ten people need what you have to sell, or want it. And if they love it, you win. If they love it, they’ll each find you ten more people (or a hundred or a thousand or, perhaps, just three). Repeat.
If they don’t love it, you need a new product. Start over.
Your idea spreads. Your business grows. Not as fast as you want, but faster than you could ever imagine.
This approach is so effective because you are communicating your message to people who know you and respect you. It is common knowledge that we buy products and services from brands that we trust. Your network contacts already trust you and believe in you and are more than willing to spread the word about your business and your brand.
There is a common belief that to jump start your business it is critical to reach as many people as possible with expensive press releases and formal product launches. Seth calls this approach backwards. Initially, it is not necessary to get your message out to the anonymous masses. You spend a lot of money and then it falls off when you should be doing the opposite regarding budgeted marketing dollars. Save your marketing dollars until your business starts to grow and thrive.
Consciously nurture your network and be clear on your promotional message, your brand. What your network contacts say about you contributes to the value and reputational power of your brand.
Free Promotional Opportunity!
Would you like the opportunity to pitch your business and brag about your recent accomplishments?
Join my bragcast series for professional women.
Send me your current pitch and schedule your interview now.
I will post your podcast on my website along with a link to your site and your pitch.
email me: bonnie (at) womenssuccesscoaching (dot)com.
This sounds great! Word of mouth marketing is definitely the most cost-effective, and powerful, type of marketing around. And I think it’s a great idea to do the bragcasts. Nice work!
Thanks Bonnie, for reminding us that Seth Godin is a marketing genius. All you need is ten people. You don’t need a room full of 150 people you will never meet. You need a room full of an intimate 10 that you can really get to know. Dawn Billings, http://www.TheHeartLinkNetwork.com women’s intimate networking in 3 countries US, Canada, Australia