UK based NOP World recently reported that most word of mouth happens face to face.
"Face to face conversation is still the strongest medium for word of mouth. That was the conclusion of a study conducted by NOP World and United Business Media on the source of word of mouth exchanges. 80% of consumers indicated they make recommendations mainly in face to face encounters, followed by 68% over the telephone and 37% via personal e-mail. Surprisingly, the numbers were even higher among those considered most influential: 90% for face to face and 53% for e-mail."
This suggests what I have always thought all along. No matter how electronic we get, all the "e" in the world can’t take away the fact that we are human beings that do our best business face to face. When you sit down with someone and talk to them, it forms the strongest bonds
