Why Word of Mouth Fails

Today Managing Editor, Doyne Phillips, welcomes marketing expert, Rob Eagar to Marketing Monday. If you don't already receive Rob's Monday morning tips, sign up here.
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by Rob Eagar

Have you ever read a book, watched a movie, or visited a restaurant that you really enjoyed, but never told anyone until someone else brought it up in conversation? Once you were reminded, then you began to tell numerous friends. This situation identifies two common problems for authors, businesses, and non-profits who want to generate more word of mouth. First, most people won't tell their friends about your product or service unless you make an obvious request. Second, you must make the ability for people to tell friends as easy as possible.

Most people are willing to spread word of mouth, but they're busy or forgetful due to all the distractions in our hectic society. Thus, if you want more people to tell others about your product or service, you need to make it blatantly clear. For instance, if you're an author, you must specifically tell people, "Please tell your friends about my book." Then, provide free tools on your website that makes it easy for readers to do so. If you run a non-profit, you must openly ask people to donate. Then, provide compelling success stories and easy ways for people to contribute to your cause. Otherwise, most people will never stop to think about forwarding your information to someone else. State the obvious in order to start a word of mouth wildfire.

Rob Eagar is a marketing consultant, author, and speaker who helps individuals and organizations spread their message like wildfire. His clients include businesses, non-profits, and bestselling authors.

Commission Free Sales

Today our managing editor, Doyne Phillips is hosting a special guest, Rob Eagar. As founder of Wildfire Marketing, Rob is an expert in spreading an author's message like wildfire.
by Rob Eagar

One of the keys to selling books like wildfire is to get other people to act as a salesperson for you. Instead of marketing all by yourself, imagine hundreds of people singing your praises to the public. A great way to make this happen is by utilizing the power of success stories.

For example, Dave Ramsey, radio host and New York Times bestselling author of The Total Money Makeover, uses the power of success stories better than any author I know. Every Friday, Dave invites listeners to call his radio show, declare how much personal debt they use to carry, explain how Dave helped them get out of debt, and then scream with glee, "I'm debt free!" Dave congratulates them, plays a funny inspirational soundtrack, and you can't help but feel happy.

However, these joyful moments aren't just for the benefit of the caller. These emotional success stories also create a powerful marketing dynamic for Dave's books. Listeners are moved by hearing Dave's readers revel in their newfound financial freedom. If you're someone who happens to be in debt, these stories create a natural attraction to check out The Total Money Makeover.

You may not have a nationwide radio program like Dave Ramsey. Regardless, any author (fiction and non-fiction) can use the power of success stories as effective marketing tools. As you gather positive feedback from readers, share them regularly through your newsletter, website, blog, and social media pages. You could even create a regular focus on them like Dave does. You may not have people shouting, "I'm debt free!" Instead, your success stories can help people see your books and think, "I want to read!"

*Used by permission. Originial source here.

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Rob Eagar is the founder of WildFire Marketing who helps individuals and organizations spread their message like wildfire through innovative marketing strategies. He has consulted with numerous publishers, non-profits, business leaders, and worked with over 400 authors at all levels, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. Click here for a sample of Rob's clients.

Rob is passionate about helping authors and organizations spread their message like wildfire. Besides his own writng experience, he has a marketing degree from Auburn University, produced seven straight years of sales increases for the American Nonwovens Corporation, and developed a $6,000,000 marketing plan for Sellars Textiles as National Sales Manager. His past success and marketing expertise unite to form a powerful advocate for your message.