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Internet Marketing
CHINESE WHISPERS
When I was a kid , we used to play a game called Chinese Whispers .
In the USA , it ’ s a telephone game but we just did it from person to person in a circle .
Chinese whispers is a simple game but one so popular that it has been played around the world for many years . The premise is easy - one person whispers a message to another in their ear , which is passed through a line of people until the last player announces the message to the entire group . The comedy is that typically during the retellings , the last statement announced by the last player may be different and often amusingly , can come out as pure nonsense since you must say exactly what you heard even if you didn ’ t quite get it . The game is often played by children as a party game or in the playground . It is also a metaphor for the ideas of rumor or and gossip spreading .
There have been variations of names for this game - Russian scandal , whisper down the lane , broken telephone , operator , grapevine , gossip , don ' t drink the milk , secret message , the messenger game , and pass the message but all are based on word of mouth .
As an Internet Marketer , there are some really cool , easy and free ways to play this game in your business and pass on your message from ear to ear via word of mouth .
The first trick is this – if you want more exposure for what you are writing , try something unconventional . A good idea that you might not have heard of is to post on Quora . I have heard of many people getting major media attention from just posting here .
Quora is a well-known online portal for offering your expertise .
The tip is this - post longer , well-written replies on Quora and wait . I recall someone posting a bunch of tips on spying and it was reprinted by Forbes . Same goes for Klout , then watch as your content and company links show up in all the Bing search results . It ’ s a simple idea about how placement is key .
The second idea is this - Follow the cascade of influence .
This is a well-known social marketing trick : Follow the influencers . When you tweet what , they say and form a relationship that paints them in a positive light , they are more likely to do the same back automatically , thus putting you in a very high circle . Or you can go a level above that and seek to connect with 10 influencers of the influencers . Use the likes of Nimble and Spokeo to find info about the upper bracket of influence and at times when they will be at a conference etc ., make sure you are there , ready to accidentally start pitching in person . Be careful not to be the creep of all creeps with this one , if done subtly – it can be very impressive and natural .
And lastly – actually play Chinese whispers with your services . Offer someone a great deal or something completely for free in exchange for them re-posting or referring a friend or signing someone up .
The more people do this , the more you will double your list and have many more eyes over your content . Remember – word of mouth is still the freest , most effective way to spread the news about what you are selling or doing and therefore allows you to take things to the next level much quicker than any paid , more forced methods .