Word of mouth marketing can be a powerful tool for any business. Customers who recommend your products or services can lead to new business and help you build a loyal following. This blog post explores why it’s still worthwhile to invest in advertising even if most of your clients come from referrals.
Expand Your Reach
While word of mouth marketing can be effective, it’s limited to the number of people your customers can reach. Assume you run a local bakery and have developed a loyal customer base. Although this is great, you’re still missing out on potential customers who haven’t heard of your bakery. Your reach can be extended and widened with advertising. For example, you could advertise in local publications, on social media, or even with targeted Google ads.
Build Brand Awareness
Advertising can be incredibly effective at helping people recognise your brand. Even if people haven’t used your products or services yet, seeing your ads repeatedly can help them become familiar with your brand. This is especially important in industries with a lot of competition, where standing out can be challenging. For example, if you run a yoga studio, you could invest in advertising to showcase the unique benefits of your classes. This would build brand awareness in your local community.
Control Your Message
With word-of-mouth marketing, you have minimal control over the message spread about your business. By investing in advertising, you can carefully craft your messaging to highlight the unique benefits of your products or services. For example, a healthcare provider could use advertising to emphasize their commitment to patient care and showcase their range of services.
Stay Top of Mind
Even if most of your clients come through word of mouth, it’s imperative to stay top of mind with your target audience. Keep potential customers informed of your business’s value by advertising consistently. For example, a hair salon could use advertising to promote seasonal specials or showcase new services to keep customers engaged.
In conclusion, while word of mouth marketing can be a powerful tool, it’s imperative that you invest in advertising. This will expand your reach, build brand awareness, control your message, and help you stay top of mind.