Getting More Word-of-Mouth Referrals

This past January, just 34 days shy of turning 100, Charlie Munger passed away.

He was one of the greatest investors ever and for many decades was Warren Buffett’s right-hand man at Berkshire Hathaway.

He was wise, shared his wisdom generously, and kept his trade-mark sense of humor until the very end.

As he entered the hospital, for example, the nurse greeted him and asked, “How are you?”

“I’m dying,” he responded. “How are you?”

Munger was well-known for his short, witty sayings—sayings that often applied to investing but also applied to much more. 

One of my favorites, which he often stated in different ways, was the following:

The best way to get what you want is to deserve it.

Want a good spouse? Munger would tell you that the best way is to deserve one.

How about a good job? Again, deserve one.

A higher salary, a great business partner, a billion dollars? 

The answer never changed. 

“To get what you want, you have to deserve what you want.”

So, what would Munger say if asked about the best way to get more word-of-mouth referrals?

It’s really not hard to imagine; I can practically hear his deep voice responding:

The best way to get more word-of-mouth referrals is to deserve them.

Now, how exactly do you do that?

You probably know how to already.

You have to deliver a product or service so remarkable that people feel compelled to share their experience with others.

You’ve probably had at least one experience like this, right?

When I first heard a now-famous song by America I told everyone I knew about it.

I didn’t keep that song my own little secret. 

In fact, when I listened to it, I cranked up the volume so loud the neighbors listened to it with me!

That’s what something remarkable does.

Remarkable products and services get shared.

This, of course, often happens with music and just as often with places to eat.

Have you, for example, been in North Carolina lately and not had someone recommend you try out The Famous Toastery?

People talk about the breakfast dishes there with the same affection in their voices you hear when they speak of their Meemaw.

Either way, whether it’s a catchy new song, the best stuffed French toast you’ve ever had, or something else, it’s the unique, the remarkable, things that get people talking.

These are the things that deserve word-of-mouth referrals. 

And that, as Munger would say, is the best way to get them.

But what about other forms of marketing?

I’m glad you asked!

Although the foundation for strong word-of-mouth referrals is the product or service that you and your team offer, reminding and even encouraging people to share what they experienced doesn’t hurt.

Similarly, capturing their smiling faces, telling their success stories, and highlighting the differences your products or services make in their lives won’t stunt your business’s growth.

In fact, doing the above on different sites and across different media channels will help your business and the people it serves immensely, it’ll create something akin to a movement, it’ll turn normal growth exponential.

Yes, there are better or worse ways to do this. And, yes, it would be nice if someone could help you with all of it, so that you could focus all your efforts on the core product or service that you offer. 

Oh, but that’s actually what we’re here for! 

If you’re offering something that more people need to know more about, and fast, contact us here as we’d be delighted to help.