Grow Your Brand with Word-of-Mouth

Let’s be honest, most of us didn’t become makers or crafters because we wanted to be salespeople. We got into this because we love the work. The making. The ideas. The quiet satisfaction of creating something beautiful with our hands.

So when it comes to marketing, especially anything that feels loud or pushy, it can feel… off.

The good news? You don’t need to shout to grow your business.

Word-of-mouth marketing (people recommending you to their friends, sharing your work online, or telling others about their experience) is one of the most powerful ways to build long-term success. And the best part? You don’t need to sell it. You just need to set it up, and then let it do the work for you.

Let’s start with the basics.

What Is Word-of-Mouth Marketing?

It really is as simple as people talking about you. Whether that’s in person at a dinner party, over WhatsApp, or by tagging you in an Instagram Story—it all counts.

The key is: you’re hands-off after that first interaction.

You’ve already made the sale, or the impression. You’re not standing there asking for referrals or nudging them to post. But the experience was strong enough that they want to share it. That’s where the power lies.

It’s not just about people randomly talking about you—it’s about creating memorable, emotionally resonant moments that people want to talk about. And that? That can absolutely be done on purpose.

So how do you do that?

Here are some honest, practical tips to help you build stronger word-of-mouth without ever feeling pushy or fake.

1. Connect with your customers deeply and emotionally

People share what moves them. If your brand feels like a transaction, it ends there. But if it feels like a connection? That’s when they talk.

Here’s how to deepen that connection:

Share the story behind the product: Where the idea came from, why it matters.
Let people into the process: Show your tools, your mess, your making.
Be a human, not just a business: Talk about why you do this, what lights you up, what challenges you.

2. Make it easy to talk about you

Include beautiful business cards, postcards, or little freebies that people can give to a friend.
Add a shareable moment to the unboxing, like a note that invites them to tag you, or a little quote that they might want to post.
Encourage gifting or shared use: Think about ways the product can create a shared memory (like a handmade candle made for winding down together, or matching friendship bracelets).

3. Ask for it gently

People often want to support you, they just need a nudge. Try:

A simple sentence at checkout or on your thank-you card: “If you love it, I’d be so grateful if you shared it with a friend or tagged me.”
Repeating the ask occasionally on socials, especially around gift-giving seasons, with warmth and authenticity.

4. Reward sharing and referrals

You don’t need a full loyalty programme, just make people feel seen.

Repost their tagged Stories and posts.
Feature customer quotes or reviews.
Send a thank-you DM when someone shares your work.

Want to take it up a level?

Once you’ve built that initial connection, you can deepen it by keeping the conversation going.

Follow up after the sale. Not in a “Did you like it?” way, but a “Hope it arrived safely, thank you again for supporting my work” way.
Invite them into your world: Your newsletter, behind-the-scenes content, early previews of new work.
Reward repeat customers. Whether that’s a discount, a personal note, or just making them feel remembered.

This is how one-time buyers become regular customers, and regular customers become your greatest advocates.

One small step to try today

If you do nothing else, do this:

Share the whole process.

Not just the product. Not just the price.

Tell the story. Show the love. Invite people in.

The more real and resonant it feels, the more likely it is to be shared. Not just bought.

With love and positivity, Georgia xx

If you’re starting to see how powerful word-of-mouth can be, but aren’t quite sure how to keep that momentum going, my Retention & Relationship Strategy service might be the next step.

It’s designed for makers and creative business owners who want to build something deeper than a customer base. We’ll shape a plan that keeps your audience engaged, connected, and genuinely excited to share your work. Because the best marketing comes from people who love what you do and want others to love it too.

You can complete a consultation application over on the Services page, or just come say hi over on LinkedIn. I’d love to hear what you’re building.