Word of Mouth

Also called WOM

People recommending your product to others on their own, in conversation, online, or by example. The most trusted and cheapest form of marketing, but the hardest to manufacture.

Why it matters

Strong word of mouth is both a growth engine and a signal of product-market fit, people only recommend what genuinely helps them. You cannot fake it, but you can earn and amplify it by making a product worth talking about.

For example

A founder-favorite tool spreads because users keep telling other founders 'you have to try this', the cheapest and most trusted growth there is.

Worth your time

How the Biggest Consumer Apps Got Their First 1,000 Users Lenny's Newsletter · article The unscalable, word-of-mouth-driven ways famous consumer apps got their first users, before any of them looked inevitable.

Related terms

Referral Program Organic Growth Net Promoter Score

Go deeper

See how founders actually handle this on Growing and marketing, part of the Starting Up hub.

eChai Partner Brands