Word of Mouth: A Philosophy, a Way of Life
 

by Jeremy M. Allen

 

The greatest minds for the last two thousand years have all agreed on one major concept and truth; word-of-mouth is the best form of marketing and advertising known to man. It always has been, and always will be.

I’ve been honored to have the opportunity to speak with thousands of professionals around the country. In every sales or marketing seminar, meeting or workshop I have given, professionals share with me that one of their top priorities is seeking out new ways to harness the power and influence of word-of-mouth marketing. Over time, I’ve learned that effective word-of-mouth starts as a basic philosophy and way of life.

Word-of-mouth is a most valuable commodity, a philosophy, a way of life. It’s a well-kept secret that we all share a deep desire for others to like us, know us and trust us. Professionals almost always strive to cultivate relationships of trust among our clients and customers. When we develop that trust, we can openly and enthusiastically ask and encourage our clients to pass the word and say good things about us whenever they speak to others.

Please allow me to share with you two of the most important philosophies I’ve discovered on how professionals live the life and walk the talk of successful word-of-mouth.

Live the Golden Rule
 

For just a moment, take a close look at any great speaker, author or teacher. Pick one of your personal favorites. The legendary Zig Ziglar has always been a favorite of mine. His saying of “just help enough people get what they want and you will get all that you need” seems to me to be timeless wisdom.

You’ll find that every great speaker, author or teacher begins by teaching us that to successfully increase our business through sales and marketing, we must give in order to receive. Giving without expectation is a philosophy, not just a technique.

The Golden Rule isn’t a seven step sales formula that one might memorize. Instead, the Golden Rule is a deeply rooted philosophy that marks a way of life for the professional. Inevitably, when you work with the best, you will find that they are genuinely and sincerely interested in helping you solve your problem, fulfill your need and achieve your dream. Why? They understand the age-old principal of “What goes around, comes around.”

Be a Farmer, Not a Hunter
 

I wish I could take credit for the saying, “Be a Farmer, Not a Hunter” because it’s a great saying, but I can’t. Dr. Ivan Misner, noted by Entrepreneur Magazine as the World’s ‘networking guru’ taught me this and ever since, I’ve been re-telling it to crowds everywhere!

In business, there are basically two kinds of people; there are farmers and there are hunters. As you can see, the analogy is pretty straightforward and easy enough to understand. When we are building relationships and selling to others, we can either farm for business or hunt for it. Hunters can be successful and score a big game, but when the food is eaten up, it’s time to hunt again. Farmers on the other (and wiser hand,) plant seeds and tend to their crops using tender loving care.

When harvest time comes, the seeds that were planted in the spring provide an abundant supply of food that lasts the entire winter.

Which professional are you?

More Information

Jeremy M. Allen
jeremy@youthexcellence.org
Office: 205-266-6300

Jeremy Allen has spent the last 10 years consulting to CEOs in the IT industry (developing websites and other technologies,) reaching tops in his field where he serves as the technology advisor for an International organization with over 50,000 members with clients in fourteen different countries.

He is a NYT and WSJ bestselling contributing author for the book, Masters of Networking.