Give shoutouts to get shoutouts.

Shoutouts are a great way to reach new audiences and increase word-of-mouth growth. Promote the things you love, and they might just return the favor.

According to Andrew Kamphey of Influence Weekly, there's an art to shoutouts. It may take a while to find out what works for you, but it's worth it — he's gotten as many as 55 subscribers from one shoutout. He says the key is to just start spreading the love as much as possible. Write about one of your favorite people or products (big audiences are a plus), then put it out in a newsletter, a tweet, an email, or any other medium. Then do it again. Eventually, the people you're praising will take notice and start returning the favor. Asking for a shoutout or trading shoutouts can work well too, and if you go that route, it helps to let them know what you'd like them to say.