Is Word-of-Mouth Your Only Marketing? 

Many businesses completely rely on only word-of-mouth marketing. We often see this working well in the short term, but if you are not engaging with your former clients over the long term, they will forget about you. 

That’s where you can use a monthly newsletter to not only stay in front of them but thank others who have referred you in the past. This newsletter should be printed, not just through email (I’m sure you get and delete dozens of emails a day, e-newsletters often go straight to the trash folder). A printed newsletter that is set up as a self-mailer gets into people’s hands and is impossible not to read (even if they throw it away, they at least saw your logo and remembered you exist). 

But staying in front of your former clients should only be part of your referral marketing system. 

When someone refers a friend or family member to your business, what are you doing to thank them? Something as simple as a thank you note could work. This can be in the form of a short letter, postcard, handwritten note, or even a post on your business’s social media. 

But if your entire business relies on word-of-mouth referrals, then maybe it’s time to really show that you appreciate them. One method to show your appreciation is to use an online store where you can send your referral source something special like brownies or even personalized gifts like pens or koozies. Showing your former clients that you appreciate their referrals and that you depend on their support is vital and could create a referral source for life.  

Just remember, if word-of-mouth is your only referral source, ensure it stays healthy by keeping in touch and showing your former clients that you appreciate them.