Getting word of mouth is easy — just ask for it.
When was the last time you asked for a testimonial? When was the last time you asked a customer to recommend you?
After every sale, Zappos asks if you’d like to share what you bought with your Facebook friends. (I bet a lot of companies have wasted a lot of cash on wacky Facebook strategies instead of just asking.)
- Every single page has "share your story" — a request for testimonials. They will get a gazillion priceless testimonials.
- Every single page asks you to put Twitter on your web site. Countless people will do it, providing exposure and endorsements that paid advertising could never match.
Lesson: Word of mouth strategy #1 = Just ask.
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Update: Another Zappos tell-a-friend request from the order confirmation page:
Which takes you to this pop-up: