Great example. Many times we buy things just because someone told us how great the product is and how it saved him a few times. For example I was watching yesterday a video review on YouTube for Aaron Wall's SEO Book and after seeing the review and the summary of the book I decided that I want to have it. I know many things that are discussed in that book but I considered to be a great way to check if what I know is also right (because I learned everything on my own). So, yes, word of mouth really worked on my but if that review would've been boring I don't know if the effect would be the same.
Thanks
Oliver T. Hellriegel
· 9 months ago
Jim:
This is a very good example how brands can actually benefit from having good products with one (or more) unique feature(s).
In the older days of Marketing we learned that you should have a USP; that's in your case the one remarkable thing on your new Samsung notebook. Additionally you should have a competitive advantage: "If you don't have a competitive advantage, don't compete" (Jack Welch).
Sometimes it occurs to me, that marketers forget these basic facts. But without them, one will not be able to have a successful word of mouth "campaign".
Oliver.
chris kluis
· 9 months ago
I may have missed your point because I pulled up the Samsung website mid-article to start ordering one...
Sean McPheat - The Sales Jedi
· 9 months ago
"Being good" isn't "good enough" nowadays!
"Good is a given" with today's sophisticated and sales savvy buyers.
They even yawn at "good"!
Yet how many times do we hear of companies say that they "offer great service", "are professional" etc etc yawn yawn yawn!
Everyone comes out with those "USP's". I put that in quotes because they are not really USP's they are "givens"
So, make sure that you stand out and are truly UNIQUE and word of mouth will follow!
So, please don't be good - you need to be far far better than that!
Sean
Marketing Specialist - Jim Con
· 9 months ago
Some great comments here - thank you!!
Jim
Anthony Bynoe
· 9 months ago
Great post Jim, nowadays word of mouth is overlooked by so many, it stills boggles the mind at how easily we let opportunities slip from our grasp. Without a distinctive feature or theme in a product or service, most brands fade into the background as they are outdone by the Samsungs that every once and a while take the competition by surprise.
nesh thompson
· 9 months ago
Great post Jim, I think that there is something to be said for negative word of mouth as well as people are often more inclined to spread negative opinion of a product if they have recieved less than remarkable service.
Kian Ann
· 9 months ago
Thanks Jim! Word of mouth / referral business is the easiest to convert all the time!
Customers believe customers. One good sentence from a customer is better than 10 great sentences you try to push into a prospect's mind. :)
OfficeSupplyGeek
· 9 months ago
Great post, it reminds me of using my Levenger Circa notebook...the things seem to sell themselves as soon as someone sees them.
Ben Roberts | EXIT Real Estate
· 9 months ago
What a great post. Your example of only recommending something (or someone) that is 'remarkable' is something everyone needs to think about. Maybe all of us need to work on being 'remarkable' instead of trying to be 'good' at everything. Nice post Jim.
Marketing Specialist - Jim Con
· 9 months ago
Ben,
Thanks for the kind words. Always nice to get positive feedback!!
Dorothy - Chandler Graphic Des
· 8 months ago
I'm just getting around to reading so older posts since I have been really busy. Hooray!!
You are so right on this. There are a couple of good books on this subject as well. Seth Godin's Purple Cow and Ken Blanchard's Raving Fans. Lots of good nuggets you can get from these books as well as your great blog :)
All Comments
Great example. Many times we buy things just because someone told us how great the product is and how it saved him a few times. For example I was watching yesterday a video review on YouTube for Aaron Wall's SEO Book and after seeing the review and the summary of the book I decided that I want to have it. I know many things that are discussed in that book but I considered to be a great way to check if what I know is also right (because I learned everything on my own). So, yes, word of mouth really worked on my but if that review would've been boring I don't know if the effect would be the same.
Thanks
This is a very good example how brands can actually benefit from having good products with one (or more) unique feature(s).
In the older days of Marketing we learned that you should have a USP; that's in your case the one remarkable thing on your new Samsung notebook.
Additionally you should have a competitive advantage: "If you don't have a competitive advantage, don't compete" (Jack Welch).
Sometimes it occurs to me, that marketers forget these basic facts. But without them, one will not be able to have a successful word of mouth "campaign".
Oliver.
"Good is a given" with today's sophisticated and sales savvy buyers.
They even yawn at "good"!
Yet how many times do we hear of companies say that they "offer great service", "are professional" etc etc yawn yawn yawn!
Everyone comes out with those "USP's". I put that in quotes because they are not really USP's they are "givens"
So, make sure that you stand out and are truly UNIQUE and word of mouth will follow!
So, please don't be good - you need to be far far better than that!
Sean
Jim
Without a distinctive feature or theme in a product or service, most brands fade into the background as they are outdone by the Samsungs that every once and a while take the competition by surprise.
Customers believe customers. One good sentence from a customer is better than 10 great sentences you try to push into a prospect's mind. :)
Thanks for the kind words. Always nice to get positive feedback!!
You are so right on this. There are a couple of good books on this subject as well. Seth Godin's Purple Cow and Ken Blanchard's Raving Fans. Lots of good nuggets you can get from these books as well as your great blog :)