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Also known as: WOM, organic referral, buzz

Word of Mouth

FoundationalMarketing

Definition

Word of Mouth: Word of mouth is the organic sharing of information about a product or company through personal recommendations and conversations. It's considered the most trusted form of marketing because it comes from peers rather than brands. While you can't control WOM directly, you can influence it through exceptional product experiences and strategic programs.

Example Usage

β€œ70% of our customers cite word of mouth as how they heard about us, validating our product-first growth strategy.”

Common Misconceptions

You can't measure word of mouth. Ask new customers how they heard about you; track brand mentions and referral surveys.
WOM just happens naturally. Great products help, but you must create shareable moments and make referral easy.
WOM is only for consumer products. B2B relies heavily on peer recommendations and community discussions.

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