Word of Mouth is Still King

Radio, Newspaper, Television, Social Media, Billboards, Banner Ads, Press Releases, Bounce Back Offers, Magazine, SEO, Creative, FAM Trips, Email, Coupons, Direct Marketing … the list of marketing opportunities for a brand goes on and on and as technology and communication evolve so does the way brands communicate with their customers. However, there does exist a set of words that to a Marketer and Brand will always remain king. Those words are… Word of Mouth.

Word of Mouth is essentially free advertising and can undoubtedly be the most effective ROI (return on investment) for a Brand. Why you ask? Well, think about many of the decisions and purchases you have made in your life. How many times have you weighed your options or asked advice from those around you? We would bet that on most, if not all, of those occasions you enlisted an opinion from others. The reality is that most of us rely on others for major life decisions. This form of reassurance from others also trickles down to some of the most insignificant of decisions.

Check out the recent form of word of mouth advertising we received from a past leisure guest and group client. This letter was sent from a loyal Nemacolin customer to a current client who is considering bringing their group to Nemacolin.

“I was talking to Dennis Noonan at Nemacolin today as we have a three day meeting scheduled there in May and he mentioned you are thinking of a fall meeting there. I just wanted to put in my two cents in hopes it helps you in the process. We have been going to NWL for 14 years now. We bring anywhere from 200 - 400 people there every other May and have since 1998. The reason we picked it and continue to go there is it is the perfect spot. Dennis and his staff do a GREAT JOB of giving you what my father called "champagne on a beer budget". Meaning - they are willing to work with you to make sure you have a great experience at a price that works. We have travelled to many great hotels and destinations throughout the world, and NWL is right up there. When you go and stay in the Chateau - you will get an idea as to why my dad loved it there - he felt right at home, surrounded by Louis XIV pieces and antiques. All that in the middle of the Pennsylvania countryside!

Seriously, it is a great spot for selling the dream, having a goal setting workshop, team building or just a weekend away with each other. To give you an idea of the type of people they are, when Dad passed they were one of the first to call, offer condolences and offer a free place for my wife and I to come reflect and get away. No other Hotel around us did that! Joe and Maggie Hardy have created a wonderful spot there and I am looking forward to our trip in a couple months.”

No amount of advertising or marketing campaign can compete with the ROI of the referral from a lifetime customer, and because of this… Word of Mouth remains king.