People used oral traditions to pass on their messages, history, thoughts, and beliefs to each other and future generations. This is why we as humans have evolved to become great story tellers. It is in our human nature to tell each other stories and communicate with each other orally. We have since come a long way from the times when people would travel great distances to relay messages to neighboring towns, villages, and countries. Now with technology, we don’t have to worry about the old adage of “don’t kill the messenger.”
Word of Mouth marketing has transformed. Now it has many forms; as long as it came from a person, who in turn came from another person and so on, it is considered word of mouth marketing. People needed easier ways to communicate and relay messages to each other, so we used critical thinking and technology to do so. But once we developed strategies to get messages across to people without some kind of interaction, or if the process was automated, then we eventually drifted away from WOMM (word of mouth marketing). The strategies alluded to are the usual marketing strategies that many use today, which have been proven to be effective.
As a society it has come to pass that with technology we seem to use and favor WOMM more and more. Due to spam, and cheesy marketing, we have come to value human to human interactions even more, even if it is through an online or technological platform. Some of the ways that we use WOMM today are:
* Emails: One of the first ways to get messages across online. This has almost replaced the mailbox with even bills being taken care of online. With the capability of forwarding emails, we have been able to use WOMM as a viral mechanism as well. * Cell Phones: With these devices, people are now reachable at any time, almost anywhere, especially if you have a great network. Cell Phones have evolved to become not only a mobile phone, but a mobile DO EVERYTHING all in one device, with even more ways to communicate and be social with people. * Text Messages: Quick messages have revolutionized the way we communicate. When people don’t feel, or can’t at the time, have an entire conversation, a quick text always does the trick. I found that I tend to text people now more than I talk to them on the phone. Picture and Video messaging has also spawned from this, giving us more ways to communicate with each other with even more of a personal touch * Twitter: Twitter is a phenomenon. Not only can it be mobile, but it also has the ability to reach a vast amount of people. To me Twitter is like WOMM on steroids. You can send a personal tweet that has the potential to be read by thousands of other Tweeps, and it’s only a matter of time until everyone and their mom is on Twitter. Just wait and see! * Shopping Comparison Sites: As the name implies, these sites provide built-in Word of Mouth for those seeking independent information. Actually Twitter and other Social Media such as Facebook, YouTube, et al provide a platform for consumer interaction where Word of Mouth is THE mode of making buying decisions. * Blogs: Blogs are a great way to discuss what matters to you, and pose questions to your audience in hope for feedback and interaction via comments and discussion. * “Sharing”: Hitting the SHARE button on content that we find amusing, entertaining, or important is a form of WOMM, and also viral marketing. It is basically the same thing as reading, viewing, or listening to content and talking about it with some friends, except that you are sharing it with them online via Facebook, Twitter, email, or other forms.
We have come a long way from sitting around a fire, listening to messages told orally, but that shouldn’t mean that we have to stop here. We will continue to create new ways on effectively getting our personal messages across to the world. Like I said, it is in our human nature to tell stories, share our thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. Technology just gives us a wider platform to do this. If you would like advice on how to best get your messages across, you can always
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