Word-of-Mouth Marketing (WOMM) is powerful...

The Internet has allowed information to be created and shared at a faster rate, at the same time Word-of-Mouth continues to be the most important influence on product sales. The result is an incredible opportunity: one individual can now easily and more quickly influence many.

• 70% of consumers trust recommendations from friends, family & experts more than advertising
• WOMM has been around since people started communicating, but its grown in importance with the Internet & social networking
• 1 advocate impacts up to 100 potential consumers each month, who in turn influence many more friends and co-workers
• 41% of surveyed advertisers will increase word-of-mouth spending in the short term (Association of National Advertisers, May 2009)

It starts with one Brand Advocate, and then they tell their friends, and then they tell their friends....

• Brand Advocates are typically loyal customers who tend to be vocal supporters of brands, products, or services
• Brand Advocates can be professionals who use your products daily, or Retail Salespeople, or rabid fans of your Brand
• Some people are natural advocates based on their jobs, skills, interests and/or personalities
• Brand Advocates can be like-minded individuals in groups that may not use your brand yet but could become a raving fan - like a local cycling club, a group of forest firefighters or a fraternal organization