Geoff Spencer's Page

Reading the The Word of Mouth Manual: Vol. II by Dave Balter, I was reminded of how I became aware of the Flip Mino (pronounced minnow), a cheap video camera that I’m in love with. It’s a classic case of WOM via social media.

I first became enchanted with this product through my RSS feed to Gizmodo. I then began checking out the camera using a google search and found lots of good reviews at a few techie blogs as… Continue

The authors of the book Groundswell suggest that one technique a company or person might use to listen and/or talk with the groundswell is to create a community (p. 103). In the case of disease support groups, forming communities of support is a longstanding and effective way of coping with various health and behavior conditions, from diabetes to smoking cessation.

There is evidence, not surprisingly, that a person’s social network (friends, family) can help them quit smoking as well as stop ot… Continue

How many times have I been screwed out of money or time just because I want to be a good friend?
Robert Ciladini's chapter on the liking rule is a concept we can all relate to. Whether it's the tupperware phenomenon, luncheon technique, or physical attractiveness, we have all found ourselves influenced and duped by our friends or friendly salespersons whom we like.
I was a victim of the luncheon technique a few months ago. One financial company in the area offers a free catered lunch from… Continue

Robert Cialdini’s book, Influence, lays out what influences why people generally act the way they do. What is amazing is that the rules of influence—reciprocity, expensive=good, commitment and consistency and social proof—seem too simple to take seriously. But, the more I apply these principles to my own experiences, the more I realized that I am influenced and reactive to these rules in particular instances more than I want to admit. In some instances, they indeed apply when it comes to digital… Continue