Word of Mouth

Human or “viral” word of mouth spreads ideas unpredictably from person to person without centralized control.

A message may start with an originator and end up mutating as it spreads far and wide. Unlike broadcast media, human media are not easily purchasable channels that gaurantee an audience to anyone with the money to buy airtime.

Activists of all stripes use creative communications strategies to get their message heard.

Informal talk between people is the most basic and personal way of exchanging ideas. Two or more people get together and discuss whatever topics they like. What people talk about depends on what ideas they hold. The vast majority of conversation is about everyday matters of seemingly small signifigance, but even the most practical conversation can be influenced by the ideas of the speakers. This is the ultimate way of idea sharing, but it requires that the conversationalists have the ideas to spread them one-to-one, whereas media is capable of amplifying one message to thousands.

Word of Mouth

A well-timed idea can spread quickly by word of mouth between people. A message can be designed to encourage such word of mouth activity. Chain letters are a good example of word-of-mouth communications.

Word Spreading

Word spreading is an intentional and highly motivated word-of-mouth campaign.

Whisper Campaigns

Whisper campaigns are a more impressive sounding name for talking smack about someone rather than taking direct action against them. Sometimes whispers get around and grow until they can do as much damage as an all-out attack.Whisper campaigns can also be based on false allegations and unfounded rumors, doing great undeserved harm.

Influence Skills

Your success at spreading word of mouth boils down to your influencing skills and all the contributing factors: belief, charisma, empathy, message, etc.

Distributing Materials

You can more effectiveley spread word of mouth if you carry materials for bindering, carding and discing.

Deal with Controversy

Head-to-head arguments are all talk and no listen.

1. Talk with a friend on a bus, let people overhear you. This is a great technique for an issue with many details to which people react "allergicly," like vote fraud. Eavesdroppers don't have to think about counter-arguements, so they can listen.
2. In an arguement, listen and agree with every point you can. This helps create space for them to agree with you.
3. For major issues like war-peace, you can sometimes be more effective just by being polite and listening, letting someone get their fears out, than by pounding facts at them. Don't try to get them to agree with YOU, just plant the seed. "Us-Them" is the problem.