I see lots of threads asking, "What's the best way to market my business?" And the majority of the responses are, "Word of Mouth." While I'll agree that's important, how do you promote or encourage anyone to spread the word about your services?

out of all those options I think you should use a little of all of them. You can also set up Referals with small business too.

I'm not sure that any of those options are even relevant to your question.
You promote your business. You don't "promote" word of mouth.
Word of mouth is generated naturally. Your only interaction is to do the best job you can do.
Word of mouth can be negative or it can be positive. Taking care of your clients in the best possible manner should ensure positive word of mouth.


Actually, on second inspection of your poll, the option (Provide raving customer support) would fit into my theory.

Agreed, you should be doing some if not all of what is listed. Everything helps.

offer an incentive for word of mouth..if you refer someone and they give us your name/username/etc you get a free month or $10 off(some type of incentive) and you friend gets an incentive as well(that part can be optional but i have found it works better if they both get an incentive)

Hmmm ... So if you show genuine concern for a prospects/clients issues, problems or requirements, you don't believe that they will respond by talking about your services favorably with others in their sphere of influence? (word of mouth)

Or if you're at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon and instead of just chatting and exchanging business cards, like so many reps do - if you ask them, "If I meet someone who I think may benefit from what you offer, what should I tell them?" and let them give you their 30 second infomercial about their business, then ask for ten of their business cards - would that make you stand out from the crowd, and inspire them to ask for ten of your cards in return and network (by word of mouth).

Word of mouth promotions can happen naturally, but to maximize your success at getting others to advocate your services with their sphere of influence (whom you'll never reach on your own), you need to be proactive and go that extra one percent in everything you do. You need to make your clients Raving Fans.

I think you and I have a different interpretation of what word of mouth is.
In my world, word of mouth is positive comments by people who are genuinely happy with your service. They spread the word because they are happy with the product and think others would benefit if they need a similar service.

You seem to be equating word of mouth with buying off people or coercing people in some manner to talk about your business.

How do you interpret anything I said to buying off people or coercing anyone to do anything? You're right. We have very different interpretations of what constitutes word of mouth. To me, word of mouth is networking. Networking is the foundation of successful businesses. The key to networking is to give without expecting in return.

What you are suggesting is business networking. A tit for tat exchange.
That is far different than word of mouth in it truest sense.

I'm not saying there is anything at all wrong with what you are proposing I just don't believe it is "word of mouth" as such.

So we should agree to disagree on a definition, instead of splitting hairs? Do you agree that the poll asks valid networking questions?

Absolutely.
If the wording had been "What's the best way to market my business?" without the "word of mouth" issue I would say it's very valid and brings up good points.

Thank you. That's all I was trying to get across.

Word of mouth advertising should come naturally. The only thing you do can do is offer the best possible service and customer service you can and positive word of mouth advertising will take care of the rest. People will always trust someone who uses your service and raves about it than someone who knows you and says it is good. So, take care of your clients and your clients will take care of you in the end (If you get my drift).

A small "get a month free if you bring in a new customer" referral program could encourage current customers to mention your company name to their friends/family/partners. It makes it easier for them to keep in mind that they should do it often, if you know what I mean.

My vote to 'Social Networking' as StumbleUpon work wonders for me!