Generating Buzz
What is buzz? It is what people are talking about, sometimes referred to as word-of-mouth marketing. Generating buzz is the most effective type of marketing because most customers trust other customers advice or opinions, even if it’s a stranger or blogger. However, it can also be very difficult and you risk putting control over your image and marketing into the hands of your customers. Buzz marketing can be especially difficult because of the amount of competing videos, blogs and websites currently on the internet. but with a few innovative ideas anyone can use these the internet to create buzz and promote their small business.
YouTube:
The easiest way of generating buzz is to use YouTube. You can’t be camera shy or embarrassed. Grab a video camera, pick a funny or boring aspect of your business and start recording. If you are not excited about picking up a camera and shooting a clip of yourself trying to beat your employees in a heated chair race down the hall, think about using YouTube to do a low budget commercial to host on your website.
Website:
Besides embedding YouTube videos on your website, you can use it as a means of generating buzz for your consumers and potential consumers. Example: A simple game with minimal product placement, or a child section to entertain the young children with a clever tie in to the product benefits
Blogs:
Whether the blog belongs to you, your company, or just one of your friends or employees, make sure the benefits of your business product or service are discussed. Many customers use the internet as their main source of information and are very trusting of online sources of information, usually regardless of how biased it may be. For more information about blogging check out Web Marketing Step 3: Web 2.0.
Contest:
This is a great way to generate buzz and is perfect for any small business. Many of the most successful businesses have used contests to generate buzz, both good and bad. They are fun to make and fun to watch whether you are having your consumers make a video about the first time they experienced your product or upload the craziest place they have taken a picture with your product. Twitter is a great way to get the word out about your contest and a great way to draw customers to your website.
Negative Buzz:
What happens if consumers create negative buzz? An obvious concern is that when you allow
consumers to create buzz for your product or service, negative buzz will sometimes also be generated. Oddly enough, you can embrace
this negativity and use it as a critique, and then alter your product or service based on the negative buzz.