Word-of-mouth marketing has been around as long as business. The ability to have good, or bad, things said about your business is one of the most powerful tools in a small business marketing tool set. But how has modern technology changed the way it works? Is there still a place for traditional word-of-mouth? More importantly, how has modern technology changed this aspect of marketing, if at all?

Network and multi-level marketing people have always promoted word-of-mouth marketing, because they understand its power. Every contact with a prospect, lead or customer has an element of word-of-mouth marketing. The question they always ask is “Who do you know?”

This simple question, often asked innocently, has an amazing impact on keeping your pipeline full of prospects.

But how does this work with the de-personalization of modern business through the use of technology. Decision makers hide behind the fortress of their inbox and voice mail. For many, they never speak to a soul outside their inner circle. Is word-of-mouth marketing still relevant?

The answer is not black and white, and is more complex than many would think. There will always be those decision makers who are surrounded, and it can take literally years to get to them. But their armor is not perfect, there is a way in.

Social media and viral marketing now have an incredibly important part to play. Viral marketing being an extension through technology of traditional word-of-mouth marketing. But you must avoid the old pitfalls of product/service orientated content, and focus on education based marketing.

The power of using social media and the modern form of word-of-mouth marketing is it can move far more quickly than before technology was so prevalent. The key is to become the expert, offer free information, engage in debate and spread the word that you and your company are indeed the experts in a particular aspect of your industry.

And learn from the MLM and Network Marketers. Always ask “Who do you know?” for modern word-of-mouth marketing.

The new phrases are:

Please…

Retweet * Share * Digg * Stumble
… the list goes on.

Word-of-mouth: Is it still relevant in a technology world? Absolutely.