How social media is a powerful word-of-mouth marketing tool

May 5, 2014 by Katy

Social Media nowadays is a key part of any successful marketing strategy for any industry and every business size and is proving to be a very effective marketing tool for the Education sector.

Students of every age are nowadays connected to the digital world, using not only social media, but also a lot of learning tools and applications. Education is getting more and more digital.

Students are also using social media as a way to stay connected to the education providers, to receive updates, general information and a way to stay connected with other students.

So, social media gives current and former students a place to give positive feedback, share an Education provider’s content, and even create brand advocates that will help spread the “word-of-mouth” about the business and in a business that relies heavily on recommendations from friends, family, colleagues and industry influencers.

Here are 4 key ways how social media is a powerful word-of-mouth marketing tool: 

Providing valuable content 

Together with joining the conversations taking place, providing valuable content is what will engage an audience with your brand and make them talk about you.

So you need to deliver content that is so good that it begs to be shared, that drives more customers into it and creates a buzz to potential students.

The education sector has the potential to provide many valuable content like tutorials, tips, whitepapers, ebooks, infographics, etc, that inform, solve problems and let the brand be seen as an expert in their sector, enhancing the conversations around them. 

Identifying and rewarding brand advocates 

It is a very good idea for an education provider to identify and keep their brand advocates engaged since they have the power to tell thousands about you with just the push of a button! And very often that can help a potential student take the decision to take that course with you

They can share your content, leave you great a review, engage in conversations taking positively about you and even start those conversations! They help your word-of-mouth tremendously so keep sure you know who they are and reward them from time to time with exclusive content or promotions. That will keep them motivated. 

Delivering an excellent customer service 

Since there are a huge percentage of current and potential students asking questions and looking for information. Many education providers are using their social media channels to respond to questions and comments. And they do this not only on their own social media pages, but also on other locations as well.

This is an excellent way to not only deliver value to your customers and potential customers but also to make them talk about you in a positive way! 

Find and engage with influencers 

In order to really push your social media campaigns forward, you need to have the backing of some of the biggest players in your industry; the movers, the shakers, the thought-leaders, brands and publications that already possess major influence and authority over fan bases bigger than that of your own.

Make sure you identify them, follow them, and then grab their attention through delivering valuable content, by sharing their content and by engaging in conversations with them where you also deliver them some kind of value.

Grabbing their attention is not easy, but endorsement from an “online influencer” can have a significant impact on your brand and your word-of-mouth.