Comments on: Can't Close? Activate Your Community

By: Jackie Adkins

Jackie Adkins — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:59:53 +0000

Amazing to think that if you can get this community thing down pat, you can essentially create sales people out of your customers with the help of WOM.

By: Jackie Adkins

Jackie Adkins — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:59:53 +0000

Amazing to think that if you can get this community thing down pat, you can essentially create sales people out of your customers with the help of WOM.

By: Jackie Adkins

Jackie Adkins — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:59:53 +0000

Amazing to think that if you can get this community thing down pat, you can essentially create sales people out of your customers with the help of WOM.

By: jackieadkins3

jackieadkins3 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:59:53 +0000

Amazing to think that if you can get this community thing down pat, you can essentially create sales people out of your customers with the help of WOM.

By: Carlos Miceli

Carlos Miceli — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:23:54 +0000

I like this idea, you already know that I also think that Word of Mouth is going through some changes. I wonder what does Seth think about these opinions of ours.

But again, I can't help to say it again: Money is shifting towards the offline world again. If you want profit, I'm not sure the internet, where there's free-a-plenty, is the place to be today.

Only the future will say...

By: Stuartfoster

Stuartfoster — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:54:57 +0000

Absolutely. You have to tie the two things closer together though. This way you can leverage both things at the same time (and have them act as multipliers for each other).

By: Stuartfoster

Stuartfoster — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:28:48 +0000

I find it entertaining only because I view success as being awesome. However, you still can't get all the way there all the time with community. You still need your salespeople to close on those remaining people that don't convert via community.

By: kmskala

kmskala — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:08:55 +0000

Interesting take: does building a relationship take the place of WOM? Very intriguing article Stuart. I think brands that can effectively leverage SM will have a distinct advantage over those that can't. Point: Zappos. I've never bought from Zappos, but I'd be more likely to purchase from them than another online shoe company. Why? Because they've built a community online and the feedback is almost always positive.

I guess you could say that building a community online is essentially WOM. After all, isn't an successful community advocating for your brand?

By: David Stobs-Stobart

David Stobs-Stobart — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:42:09 +0000

Great post (and video clip!). I agree: noise still makes it hard for one's customers to find the right information to make their decision. The online tools are still primitive and the evidence is all around. It's still too easy for spammers to make a living. Community is, definitely, key to research, discovery and execution. The trick for businesses is investing in that community over time; gaining permission over time to help service their market effectively. But I don't think this would make for an entertaining film!