Word-of-Mouth Marketing Strategies

Word of Mouth Marketing Strategies: How to Get Happy Customers to Advocate for Your Business

If you’ve ever told a friend about a great restaurant or recommended a local salon because you loved the service, then you already understand the power of word-of-mouth marketing. It’s one of the oldest, most natural forms of advertising and still one of the most effective.

When your customers are so delighted with their experience that they can’t help but share it with others, your brand gains something money can’t buy: trust. And with trust comes loyalty, referrals and long term growth.

But while word-of-mouth (WOM) often feels organic and out of your control, there are plenty of word of mouth marketing strategies you can use to encourage and amplify it. Here’s how:

1. Create an Epic First Experience

The best way to get people talking? Wow them from the start.

• Offer products or services that really solve customer problems.

• Keep your buying or booking process seamless and stress free.

• Go the extra mile - a handwritten note, a thoughtful gesture or simply a quick follow-up can leave a lasting impression.

  
  

💡Remember: people won’t rave about “average.” They’ll talk about what stood out.

2. Spark WOM Through Influencers

These days, word-of-mouth often happens online. Influencers; whether large scale creators or niche micro influencers, can help spread your story.

• Send your product for review.

• Partner with influencers who genuinely align with your values.

• Don’t overlook micro influencers: smaller followings often mean higher trust and stronger connections.

  
  

💡People trust people, not logos. Influencers simply help amplify that trust.

3. Build Your Strategy with WOM Triggers

Sometimes you need to plant the seed for word-of-mouth to spread. Consider:

• Memorable experiences - like an independent bakery popping a free “taster” of a new flavour into first time orders with a short handwritten note: “Tell us what you think.”

• Visual moments - Instagrammable backdrops, unique packaging or anything that begs to be photographed and shared.

• Emotional connections - campaigns that make people feel part of something bigger, like a local vet practice’s monthly Rescue Pet Spotlight sharing owners’ adoption stories and before/after photos (and inviting followers to nominate their own pets).

  
  

💡These triggers don’t have to be expensive but they do have to be thoughtful.

4. Encourage User Generated Content (UGC)

People trust content from other customers more than branded posts. Invite your audience to join the conversation:

• Run a social media competition using a branded hashtag.

• Reward loyal customers who share photos or testimonials.

• Showcase UGC on your website and socials to highlight real stories.

  
  

5. Push Reviews and Referrals

Modern word-of-mouth lives in reviews. Encourage happy customers to leave feedback on Google, Yelp or directly on your website. The more social proof, the more trustworthy your brand appears.

You can also formalise referrals by creating a simple “refer a friend” programme. Offer discounts, free gifts or perks in exchange for introductions. It motivates customers to advocate while rewarding their loyalty.

The Final Word

Word-of-mouth marketing isn’t about flashy gimmicks. At its core, it’s about creating experiences worth talking about and then making it easy for people to share them.

💡At Hue & Helix, we help small businesses tap into the power of trust driven marketing. Whether through strategy, content creation

or campaigns designed to spark conversation, we’ll help your brand become the one everyone’s talking about.