Word of Mouth Means Listening and Responding

Social marketing and networking tips for effective engangement

There are numerous social outlets through which we can communicate with the rest of the world. But, it is not about always how many people we reach as it is how many people we share the experience with. How can you achieve a good conversation? What does it take to get people to not only talk with you but also talk about you? Remember that on a social platform, word of mouth marketing works by spreading through your audience’s networks, updates, and connections. If you do not stimulate conversation, no one will talk about your brand.

Often, the most popular question is: Are others influenced by your posted content? Are people listening or are they just passing through and ignoring? But when it comes to a social network, there are more variables to consider. 

Be aware of what’s happening

Start by paying attention to what is going on around you. Posting on a social network can stimulate activity, but if you don’t understand what direction the conversation is taking, you won’t be able to make the most of the opportunity. It is also beneficial to pay attention to what is currently trending and interacting on other sites by simply watching the flow of the conversation. One of the biggest issues with social networks is that you aren’t always able to see an entire comment list at one time. Be sure that you scan through from the beginning to get an idea of where things started and where they are now.

Know the purpose

So, ask yourself why it is that people talk in general. What is the purpose of a response? At the core level, the commenter seeks recognition, even if their comment is unrelated or irrelevant. They want their own words and response to be seen.

Primarily, each individual is looking for someone to converse with more than anything else. If they see a post, they might like it or put a short comment such as “great idea.” Keep in mind that any response deserves an acknowledgement. 

Listen and respond accordingly

Your main objective is to get them talking in order to provide yourself the opportunity to entice them. But, in order to keep the conversation going, you have to listen to what is going on and be alert at all times. If you create a post, check it regularly. Start a conversation that is open to outside comment, and watch which direction it goes. In many cases, direction can be altered by your response and interaction. 

You have to pay attention so that you can spot opportunity and jump in at the right moment in order to up-sell your brand. In this situation, you must be able to develop relevance between the conversation and your brand. Where did you start and where are you right now? You don’t want to jump in with a random input that breaks the flow of conversation. Listen and guide the conversation until the time is right, then approach them with how your brand influences the topic at hand. 

It is important that you never underestimate the value of listening so that you can effectively interact with your social network contacts. Remember, the worst thing you can do is post and hope it turns for the best. It is up to you to make the most of the opportunity by listening and responding to your audience.