We were going to launch a site called WordofMouthMarketing.org. During the few months we were planning it, everyone kept saying WordofMouth.org — they kept dropping the word marketing. Even employees and contractors who were working on the project. That was a problem. If our own team couldn’t get the name right, how would our customers [...]
Give them an experience they’ll never stop talking about — and a reminder to re-start the talk
May 14, 2012
The Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, TX invites school and scout groups to spend the night camping in the zoo. It’s an amazing behind-the-scenes experience. More that just the camping, which is remarkable, you also get to feed a giraffe, pet a rhino, and hold a giant cockroach. Just as important: Every kid gets a [...]
What’s the simplest thing you can do to create a remarkable experience?
May 13, 2012
Subway gave us a kids meal in this nice reusable bag. We talked about it, we told people, we kept it, and we tell more people when our daughter carries it around. Probably cost them 30 cents — which is about 10 cents more than a throw-away box. But the conversations it starts are priceless [...]
35 ways to improve sales
May 12, 2012
Classic advice from e-commerce master Sam Decker, now CEO of Mass Relevance, originally published in 2004 and still relevant: Can I find that item I’m looking for? Tune your internal search engine to match top search terms to product pages. Put top sellers on home page. People buy on impulse or recommendation. Match the landing [...]
Be friendly
May 11, 2012
Want people to love your company? Be nice, say hello, give praise. One of my favorites — random compliments for users of MailChimp:
Marketing to kids. The right way.
May 9, 2012
I hate, hate, hate companies that market to my kids. I’m the guy who removes logos from stuff I buy so our family doesn’t turn into a walking billboard. But there is something you can do to reach my kids and make me happy: Teach them something. Teach them something that can be a family activity. [...]
It’s not about you. It’s about your customer.
May 8, 2012
Subaru gives their drivers these badges to stick on their car. Each badge shows their favorite activities. My dad got photography and kayaking. Smart, smart, smart. It’s not just another car dealer logo or “turbo.” It’s about the customer, not the car. It makes your car into YOUR car — and gives you a reason [...]
A community doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective
May 7, 2012
You’re probably making this “customer community” thing too hard at your company. You can spend $500,000 to launch a custom community platform and integrate it into your corporate experience and marketing plan. Or you can grab some free software, add your logo, and launch it. If people show up and enjoy it, then you have [...]
Every new customer should get a welcome like this
May 5, 2012
Check out this absolutely perfect message to new customers of FreshBooks. They have 3.5 million customers and can still deliver the personal touch — why can’t you? Hi SocialMedia.org, welcome to FreshBooks! I’d like to introduce myself as your (very) Small Business Consultant specifically assigned to help you get up and running with FreshBooks. Just [...]
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