The World's Best Known Marketing Secret, 2nd Edition: Building Your Business with Word-of-Mouth Marketing (Paperback)

by Ivan R. Misner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Misner, a motivational speaker and expert on business networking, acknowledges in his title that there is nothing secret about word-of-mouth ("W-O-M") marketing and advertising. W-O-M, in fact, is often credited for the popularity of movies, restaurants, etc. Misner, though, suggests ways to take advantage of the tremendous potential of W-O-M. Ten years ago he founded Business Network International in Arcadia, California, by assembling a group of friends to exchange business referrals. Since then the organization has expanded to more than 300 chapters and generated more than $325 million in business as a result of more than one million referrals among its members. Misner offers examples to demonstrate the power of W-O-M, shows how to develop referral networks, suggests how to deliver a positive message, and lays out how to put together a W-O-M marketing plan. Recommended for libraries serving small business, professionals, and salespeople. David Rouse --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Hands down. No debate. We all know that word-of-mouth can turn a company, product, or service into a roaring success or a crashing failure. This updated, information-packed new edition offers you a proven model for developing your own word-of-mouth marketing plan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bard Press; 2 edition (June 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885167377
• ISBN-13: 978-1885167378
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #234,371 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Referral is READ World's Best Known Marketing Secret, July 2, 1999

By A Customer

There is so much useful, easily digestable material contained within this book, that only one reading is simply not enough!. I have read this book more than once and the new 2nd edition provides even more tips for growing my business. I particularly like the section on the "Top Ten Commandants of a Networking Mixer" for example, because it gives information that even a "born networker" can benefit from applying at their next networking function. For example- #3 states, "act like a host, not a guest"--so simple but profound in the ability to position yourself as a person in the know--the kind of person others want to do business with! If you are in business this book is a must have. If you know a person in business this book is the best gift you could give! After all, "givers gain" begins by giving!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ..Revolutionizes and simplifies ANY marketing strategy!, July 1, 1999

By	Stacia Robinson (Montgomery, AL USA) - See all my reviews

The World's Best Known Marketing Secret is the best book I have found that identifies and demonstrates the "how-to's" of developing an effective referral marketing strategy. Many books that I have read on marketing "philosophize" about how marketing strategies "should" work, and then don't outline specific methods that apply to my business. This book is a step-by-step results oriented handbook that I refer to OFTEN and apply directly to my situation. The results of developing my own plan, using the strategy outlined in this book, have been phenomenal in getting me continuous referrals for my business. I highly recommend that every business owner not only read this book, but DO the exercises outlined.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars mutual referrals for fun and profit, January 3, 2006

By	Daniel Ginensky (Bet Shemesh Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The World's Best Known Marketing Secret: Building Your Business with Word-of-Mouth Marketing (Paperback)

This book is well organized and has descriptive chapter titles. However, the insights and techniques offered are fairly lightweight.

This book is a guide to creating a network of people in non-competing businesses who agree to refer clients to each other. I was dissapointed to find that aside from mutual back-scratching, there were zero insights on how to get people to talk about my business. Isn't that what word-of-mouth is supposed to be about?

In general, I found few surprises in the book. A lot of it struck me as "Dale Carnagie" style advice, pointing out that you should try not to sulk in the corner when at business gatherings, etc.

To end on a positive note, I wholeheartedly agree with the auther's choice of title, seeing as how the ideas in this book are well known to most adults with average social skills.