9 Alternatives to Referral Programs for Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Diving into the world of word-of-mouth marketing beyond traditional referral programs, we’ve gathered insights from CEOs to marketing coordinators. From leveraging influencer marketing campaigns to encouraging user-generated content, explore the nine unique strategies these professionals recommend for amplifying your brand’s presence.

Want to get quoted in MarketerInterview.com content just like this? Apply to become a contributor today!

Leverage Influencer Marketing Campaigns

As the CEO of a digital marketing agency, we’ve found success with influencer marketing campaigns. Rather than formal referral programs, collaborating with social media influencers in your industry allows you to tap into their established audiences. 

We ran an Instagram campaign with three local influencers promoting a restaurant client’s new menu items. The influencers created social posts highlighting the dishes and promoted a contest to win a free meal. The campaign drove over 1,000 entrants and increased the client’s sales by 15% that month.

The key is finding influencers with a highly-engaged, targeted following. Reach out and propose a mutually beneficial partnership: they receive free product or service to review, you gain exposure to their audience. In our experience, mid-tier influencers (10,000-100,000 followers) often provide the best return, as they have a loyal base but are still accessible for smaller brands.

Micro-influencers (under 10,000 followers) also shouldn’t be overlooked. While their reach is smaller, their followers tend to be very responsive. A series of campaigns with multiple micro-influencers in your area or industry can significantly boost brand awareness and drive buzz.

Josh Cremer, CEO, and Creative Director, Redfox Visual

Share Success Stories Locally

At OneStop Financial Services, we’re sharing first-time homebuyer success stories to spread the word about our mortgage services. We highlight real examples of how we’ve helped Kiwis achieve their dream of homeownership. These stories show the practical ways we navigate challenges like poor credit or saving for a deposit. People love sharing positive local stories, especially in community groups and online forums. This approach demonstrates our expertise and gets people talking without pushing for traditional referrals.

Matt Willoughby, Founder, OneStop Financial Solutions

Organize Assisted-Living Facility Tours

We organize assisted-living facility tours to spread the word about our services, arranging visits to top-rated facilities so people can see different options firsthand. These tours help families understand what to look for and how our website makes the search easier. Participants often share their experiences and our website with friends facing similar care decisions. This approach builds trust in our expertise and gets people talking about Mirador Living naturally.

Justine Underhill, Chief Marketing Officer, Mirador Living

Host B2B Lead-Generation Challenges

We hold B2B lead-generation challenges to spread the word about our platform. This involves inviting sales teams to compete in finding and connecting with the most promising leads using our tools. These challenges show the real power of our data in action. Participants often share their success stories and our company name with other sales professionals. This approach demonstrates our value and gets the word spreading in the industry without traditional referrals.

Yarden Morgan, Director of Growth, Lusha

Sponsor Local Nonprofit Events

As the CEO of ENX2 Legal Marketing, I don’t rely solely on referral programs for word-of-mouth marketing. Instead, my agency sponsors local nonprofit events, especially those focused on law and education. By aligning ourselves with causes that matter to our target audience, we build goodwill and gain valuable exposure.

For example, we recently sponsored a fundraising gala for a nonprofit helping underprivileged youth afford college. In exchange, we received social media mentions, branding at the event, and the chance to connect with many engaged attendees. The event generated over $50,000 in new business for my agency within six months.

Rather than expensive referral campaigns, targeted event sponsorships yield a higher return on investment. We seek events that match our audience and brand—well-organized, engaging events—not just any event seeking sponsors. Supporting causes and communities that matter to our clients and potential clients fosters appreciation and recognition of our authentic support.

Event sponsorships have proven crucial for raising brand awareness and driving new business. For any B2B marketer, I recommend finding unique ways to positively impact your local community. Ask how you can contribute expertise, services, or products. Giving genuinely pays back in the end.

Nicole Farber, CEO, ENX2 Legal Marketing

Participate in Industry Forums

Engaging with online communities and forums related to your industry is a powerful alternative. By actively participating in discussions and providing valuable insights, you build trust and credibility. This organic approach fosters genuine word-of-mouth recommendations. For example, our engagement in tech forums has led to a steady stream of new clients who trust our expertise.

Alex Stasiak, CEO & Founder, Startup House

Utilize Influencer Marketing Effectively

In today’s digital age, when it comes to spreading the word about your product or service, referral programs aren’t the only game in town. While they’re effective in harnessing the power of satisfied customers to bring in new business, another potent tool is influencer marketing. Instead of relying solely on your customers to refer friends, influencer marketing taps into the influence and credibility of social media personalities and experts in specific fields.

Here’s why I believe influencer marketing can be a game-changer. Influencers have built loyal followings who trust their opinions. When an influencer talks about a product or service, it’s like getting a recommendation from a trusted friend. This authenticity can lead to higher engagement and conversions compared to traditional referral programs.

Moreover, influencers can help you reach new audiences that your current customers may not have access to. Their reach extends beyond personal networks, potentially exposing your brand to thousands or even millions of people who align with your target market.

To make influencer marketing work for your business, choose influencers whose values and audience align with your brand. Give them the creative freedom to showcase your product in a way that resonates with their followers. This approach not only leverages their influence but also creates genuine connections with potential customers.

Alexandra Vaughan, Strategic Marketing and Communications Specialist

Collaborate With Complementary Brands

As the co-founder of a small business, I’ve found collaborating with complementary brands to be highly effective for word-of-mouth marketing. Rather than a formal referral program, partnering with brands that share our customer base taps into new potential customers through cross-promotion. 

For example, we partnered with a popular book subscription box to include our candles in one of their shipments. Their customers received one of our candles for free, exposing us to thousands of book lovers. From there, we gained over 1,000 new email subscribers in a month and saw a significant increase in sales due to increased brand awareness. 

Any business can leverage brand partnerships by finding brands that genuinely match their audience and values. The key is designing a mutually beneficial collaboration that provides value to both brands’ customers. For us, the product collaboration boosted brand visibility and became an ongoing part of our marketing strategy. Brand partnerships are a simple way to generate word-of-mouth marketing and gain new customers without paying for advertising or complex referral programs.

Roxie Lubanovic, Co-Founder, Frostbeard Studio

Encourage User-Generated Content

One specific alternative to referral programs for word-of-mouth marketing that I’ve found effective is leveraging user-generated content (UGC). Encouraging customers to share their experiences and creations on social media can create authentic and powerful word-of-mouth buzz. 

This approach not only fosters a sense of community but also provides potential customers with genuine reviews and creative ideas. Seeing real people use and enjoy my products builds trust and inspires others to try them out. In my perspective, user-generated content can be just as impactful as traditional referral programs. It taps into the power of authentic customer voices and often leads to higher engagement and stronger brand loyalty.

Courtney Dang, Marketing Coordinator, Achievable

Want to get quoted in MarketerInterview.com content just like this? Apply to become a contributor today!