That Buzzing You Hear Is A Great New Marketing Strategy

Writter: Rayford Ayers

Buzz marketing is not a new term to a lot of people. It is a very energetic style of marketing that depends on human interaction to draw attention to a product. Most people may know it as word-of-mouth advertising. Buzz marketing can be used successfully by nearly any business. It doesn't get as much press as do other kinds of mass marketing techniques; however, it can be even more successful than these other methods since it harnesses the power of face-to-face referrals. Following is a summary of the nitty gritty of buzz marketing.

The success of buzz marketing hinges on the effectiveness of word-of-mouth recommendations. Buzz agents, in the form of everyday people, are provided by marketers with product samples. When the buzz agents begin spreading the word about their experience with the product, the word-of-mouth advertising is set in motion.

There are codes of conduct that the agents follow. Both positive and negative appraisals are welcomed, and honesty is key for the agent. Most are also required to disclose their position as buzz agents.

Eventually, the agents return to the company and share the information they gathered. Demographics are established, and data is analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the buzz marketing.

Buzz marketing boils down to the most basic human instinct which is natural curiosity. People want to know what is going on at all times about anything that interests them. It could be about any topic at all. People are in love with gossip whether it is celebrity gossip or local gossip. People also enjoy knowing all they can about significant events. Buzz marketing lets marketers use this curiosity to their advantage.

People love underdog stories about the entrepreneurial spirit triumphing against all odds. A good marketer can intertwine their product with a unique story and create a product launch that is simply unforgettable. The marketer makes the story interesting and attaches the product to that story. The gossip train takes it from there. This story will soon be picked up by Internet sites and take on a life of its own.

To ignite the discussion, marketers often turn to social networking sites to speed up the process. Twitter and Facebook are the leaders, and have proven to be superb transmitters of buzz. Another great approach is offering free samples, giveaways, or drawings. Everyone loves a great promotion, and entire sites are devoted to passing on the buzz about great deals.

It is essential for the marketer to determine what makes the product stand out from all other products on the market. This is what will separate a buzz marketing campaign from the strategies of others. The focal point might be a new innovative product, a promotional activity, or how the company came into being.

Most crucial to success is a quality product. It must live up to the buzz. Many products can be sold if positive buzz is generated both online and off. When a product does not do what the buzz claims it will, the buzz marketing project will all be for nothing. Buzz will definitely ignite, but it will not be the positive vibe the company was hoping to generate.

Buzz marketing is a new tactic for most marketers, but is one that has the potential to become a top method around the world. Companies will find that they have something exciting to say, and they will get it out into the air with the least money and the most buzz possible.