The simple thing is that people listen to what their peers, colleagues and clients have to say about brands and companies. It’s either going to be good, bad or an ongoing form of gossip about ever move your company makes, all depending on where you are in the market and if your company fits into a social segment.

How to create a viral element

There’s no formula to create word of mouth marketing, but there are methods that can create the platform:

You need a great product or service that makes your brand stand out and that makes your customers want to tell others about.

Excellent customer service is an essential part of generating word of mouth. Even if your product isn’t the best, leaving a good impression and offering a level of personal service can often be more valuable.

Make your employees happy. One of the most often asked questions is, “So what do you do for a living?”. The answer given can act as the perfect testimonial for your business.

Invest in technology. Social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are powerful and free platforms for customers to spread the word. Create a fan page, add a re-tweet button or publish comments – they’re great ways to show what others are thinking about your products.

Having a website or blog is a great way for others to refer people to your website or share information you publish.

Publishing client testimonials is great way to show potential customers what your current clients think of your product and service offering.

Target the trend-setters. In any marketplace, there are people with industry authority. If you can get them to believe in your product, they will mention you and their followers will pay attention.