In simple terms, word of mouth marketing is based on the exchange of information from one person to another. It is a form of oral communication process through which the seller tries to build customer satisfaction and trust through verbal communication. Today, apart from face to face communication, word of mouth marketing also includes telephone conversation, email communication and text messaging information.

According to experts, if done properly, word of mouth marketing can be very effective in gaining the confidence of the customer in a short time. However, for that, the seller needs to have that marketing sense and also possess the quality to gain the trust of the customer.

Keys to word of mouth marketing
There are certain factors which play a major role in the process of word of mouth marketing. Some of the keys aspects about word of mouth marketing are:
Creating trust : One of the major objectives of word of mouth marketing is to create trust in the mind of the customer about the product or service that is being promoted. The customer should be able to identify with the product and think that it is really of his or her use. Only then, the word of mouth marketing process will be successful.

Transparency : Transparency is an important aspect of word of mouth marketing. While promoting your good or service, you should clearly and honestly define your business motive and the customer benefits and services. This will help create that trustworthiness.

Incentive and proposals : If the word of mouth tool consists of some type of incentives, proposals or referral schemes, the company should clearly lay down the terms and conditions of such incentives to the customers to avoid any type of confusions at a later stage.

Involving customers : As the word of mouth process usually is a form of oral and verbal communication, one should always try to involve customers too. The company can ask for valuable advice from the customers about their tastes and preferences, how to improve the quality and so on.

Identifying promotional channels : Word of mouth marketing does not work well in all places. As such, you need to properly identify the places where you can get a good response. Some of the popular places are shopping malls, market places and so on.

Word of Mouth marketing, if done in a planned, methodical and innovative manner, can really become a great promotional tool for your business.

What are the advantages ?
Though human needs are unlimited, resources are limited. It is significant for the marketers to employ the resources in an efficient way without misuse as well as to attain the objective of the organization. It is proved that green marketing is unavoidable. The customers will easily be able to see the ‘greenness’ of that particular product or service. It is growing rapidly. The interest of the consumers is also growing all over the world to save the environment.

What are the marketing mix of Green Marketing ?

• Product : The products should be made in such a way that it can help the customers who like environment-friendly products. It can be made from recycled materials or from used things.
• Price : You have to careful about green pricing.
• Place : Green place is all about handling logistics to bring down on transportation emissions.
• Promotion : It includes several things such as advertising, marketing objects, signage, white papers, web sites, videos and presentations.

What are the elements required for Green Marketing ?
3 basic elements are required for a thriving green marketing campaign

• Credibility : It is the key element in the field of marketing. You have to acquire credibility from your target audience. You don’t have to do away with all the environmentally unfriendly practices; you should unveil them sooner or later. While trying to create your credibility, you should look for a convincing third-party certification. It can come from private or non-governmental organizations.
• Address a requirement : This is the key objective of any business. Your product or provided services should tell about its necessity. Green products and services do not obtain a pass as they have environment-friendly features. Most of the customers are reluctant to pay more for these types of products or services. If you are going to include any green feature into an existing product, you have to be confident of your claims. If you are making a new green products or services, first make out the need and then address it in an environment-friendly way.
• Converse using eco-friendly channels : You have to be inventive while you are going to promote your product or service. Look into new channels like solar power billboards or street advertising.

Green marketing covers more than the marketing claims of an organization. So what are you waiting for ? Go green with green marketing.