What is brand advocacy?

• Social media postings

• Word-of-mouth recommendations

• Testimonials

• Online and app-based reviews

Brand advocacy relies on the premise that consumers are more likely to trust recommendations from people they trust and peers, rather than through traditional advertising means. Brand advocacy can also be supported and encouraged through several different practices, such as:

• Providing rewards or other forms of incentives to brand advocates

• The creation of a community (typically online) of brand advocates to share their experiences and connect

• Engaging with brand advocates on social media platforms and through other channels

Effective brand advocacy can have these positive effects:

• Increasing brand awareness for an organization

• Building brand loyalty amongst a customer base

• Drive sales and grow revenue

• Help differentiate a brand from competitors by making it stand out

• Establish a positive reputation for an organization and its brand in a specific marketplace

While brand advocacy can be extremely beneficial for organizations, there are also some risks that come with this particular marketing strategy if it is not managed and executed properly. It is important for companies to be accurate and honest when providing information on their brand, product, or service when using this promotional strategy.