[Welcome back to the Word of Mouth Marketing newsletter. This is text of the great issue all of our email subscribers just received. Sign yourself up using the handy form on the right.]
Just because a fan isn’t ready to go door-to-door for your cause doesn’t mean they don’t want to talk about you. You just might be making it too difficult to get involved. Three ideas to make it easier:
1> Put it in an email
2> Offer simple ways to participate
3> Help them talk without speaking
1> Put it in an email
Studies show that email is still, by far, our favorite way to share online recommendations with friends — a big reason being that it’s a simple, universal technology. Few things are easier for a fan to share than a quick email forward of your latest tip-filled newsletter, your friends-and-family coupons, or your insider news. This doesn’t mean you should ignore opportunities offered by other tools, but look for opportunities to avoid complications by using old-fashioned email.
2> Offer simple ways to participate
Not every fan has the time to join in your big campaign, contribute to your online community, or beta test your latest product — and that’s OK. Offer these fans easier ways to get involved and share feedback. Try simple polls to get their opinions, ready-made blurbs and images they can use in their publications, or easy ways for them to leave reviews and testimonials.
3> Help them talk without speaking
Sometimes the hardest part about word of mouth for a fan can be the talking part. Make it easier by giving them ways to spread your message without opening their mouths. Think colors, wristbands, badges, gear — anything that helps them show their support for you without asking them to openly discuss it.
