Websters Dictionary defines status as, a : position or rank in relation to others. And, b : relative rank in a hierarchy of prestige especially : high prestige. Companies want and need “status” to be successful. Large companies spend millions on marketing and advertising to build their brands and status. Small business status relies on positive word of mouth and relationship building to maintain their status marketing.
If you want to have more status as a company, the easiest way is to give your customers and clients the means to increase their status by being associated with you. Connect with clients and fans where your interests and values overlap. Grow a relationship. This is status marketing. Fans will tell others (word of mouth) and their own personal status will grow.
Small business status relies on giving those key customers an easy way to encourage the sharing of their positive connection and pride…
• Give customers amazing, over-the-top service stories about their relationship with you that they can’t resist passing on.
• Give them easy ways to spread the positive word on social media.
• Give them exclusive deals that require or encourage “bringing a friend”.
• Give them promotional stickers (badges) that increase their status and encourage conversations.
There are many ways a small business can encourage passing on a good word or experience and increasing small business status.
Both sides of a positive business/client relationship are status marketing and both are winning. This leads to more action and interaction with customers, clients and fans which is the purpose and essence of effective marketing.
Jeff Nicholson is the founder and Creative Director at 
