This is the era of social networking: It doesn’t only facilitate communication amongst people but also has become one of the primary windows through which businesses can connect with their customers. Whether it’s a large business or a smaller one, it can prosper greatly by harnessing the power of social media appropriately.
Therein lies the vital truth that until social networks are utilized properly, you won’t get your desired outcome. For a business owner, word of mouth marketing and networking are both efficacious and worthwhile, thus social platforms provide the perfect opportunity and the best place to shape your brand’s image.
Social networking is a great way to begin
At the outset, word of mouth marketing comes with the least expensive price tag. In truth the big investment is time and since time is valuable, you must invest effectively. Your social media efforts must be carried forth in a way that attracts maximum new contacts and prospective clientele. Social sites are a fine medium for marketing and creating brand images because they are accessed by millions around the globe. There is a broadly established network already and you just have to sign in to receive its host of advantages and make your existence known.
Furthermore, you must make it simple for your potential customers to find you. Making use of effective keywords and phrases that are trending at that particular moment is a good way to go. You should also provide links directing back to your website through your blogs and postings for maximum benefits.
The following are four ways of using digital storytelling for word of mouth marketing:
Show the brand’s personal side
People connect with people, not brands or logos or images. Therefore to appeal to your customers, show your brand’s human side and how they can easily resonate with it. Just like a realistic movie appeals to people’s emotions, so does a realistic brand. To do this, it’s very crucial that your brand tells a good story with relatable characters, different personalities, and interests. You can also let your customers into the story.
Share your success story
People aren’t only attracted to a brand’s image, but the story behind it. [tweet this]
A rags to riches story can do wonders for you. Write a blog about it that you can promote through social media. Reinforce the brand’s message and all the things it stands for through the story. Doing this will not only highlight credibility but also make the brand more interesting.
Make updates more enticing
This can be achieved by turning Facebook status updates into mini blog posts. It is even better on Twitter because with the 140 character limit, creativity pours out more. Even cool photos on Instagram with relevant captions can be very effective in telling stories.
Posting updates and photos isn’t enough. You will have to listen well and respond appropriately to your customers’ feedback and comments. One big mistake businesses do is that they make posts after posts but fail to review the discussions or interact with anyone. Social networking is a prime opportunity to make connections and simplify word of mouth marketing. Make the most of it.
Author:
Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog, CEO (chief engagement officer) of buzz2bucks– a word of mouth marketing firm, and a professional speaker and trainer on developing social networks that work. She provides workshops, webinars, seminars and direct services that help create conversation, connection, credibility, community and commerce around your brand. Maria Duron is founder and moderator of #brandchat – a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of branding that is recognized by Mashable as one the 15 Essential Twitter Chats for Social Media Marketers.
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