Customers are the lifeblood of any business, but getting them is not easy. One of the best ways to build a customer base is to ensure they’re happy, engaged and ready to recommend your brand.
To survive in this complex and ever changing environment, you need a strategy that keeps customers happy, engaged and delivers a positive brand experience.
Here are 10 strategies to help your company do just that:
1. Exceed expectations with CX
Make it easy for your customer to go from interest to purchase by going above and beyond what they expected from you through exceptional customer experience(CX)
If people are already interested in what you offer, don't make them jump through hoops to find out more about it or buy it.
Make it as easy as possible for them by providing all the necessary information at the decision point.
This can be as simple as having an email capture form on your website or providing links to relevant resources within your product descriptions.
2. Leverage customer data
There is no better way to develop empathy for your customers than by understanding their needs, preferences and behaviors.
Conduct user research to uncover valuable insights about your customers. Learn to use the data to develop better products and services that improve customer retention.
3. Show that you care
Be helpful and timely in answering their questions. Proactively reach out when there are issues or delays. Also, recognize their birthdays, special events, or other milestones they share on social media.
Thank your customers and appreciate that they choose you everytime.
4. Get social
Social media is an ideal place for customer engagement. As customers become more digital-savvy, they expect a more personalized experience, which means you need to be in touch with them across multiple channels.
Connect with customers through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Be present and active on the most relevant sites to your business.
For example, if you're a retailer who sells clothing and accessories online, you could run a contest or offer on your website but then follow up with a Facebook post about it or even a text message.
5. Offer exclusive deals
When your customers feel special, they will be more likely to return and buy from you again.
You can begin by offering exclusive deals for your best customers or creating a loyalty program that rewards them for spending money with you.
This is a win-win situation and is especially effective if you can offer them new products or services they never knew they needed.
6. Build a strong brand identity.
Branding is more than just a logo or slogan. It's about creating an emotional connection with your audience.
This means creating a unique look and feel for your company so that people can easily recognize it in the marketplace. Establishing a strong brand identity can help your business stand out and build customer loyalty.
Additionally, it helps people understand what to expect when they interact with you and it helps them tell others about their experience with you.
7. Empower your customer support team
Customer service teams should be empowered to make decisions independently and foster relationships with customers.
This can be useful when something comes up that is not covered in the company policy or when there’s an opportunity to do something extra for a customer.
Provide incentives for providing great customer service. As with any job, it’s important to reward employees who are doing well and encourage them to continue this.
8. Share reviews
Your customers’ voices are your best marketing tool. When they post a positive review, be sure to share it on your social media channels and website.
This shows that you value their feedback and helps encourage more reviews. It'll make your brand seem more approachable, which in turn will boost your chances of gaining new customers.
9. Gather feedback
Listening to customers is one of the best ways to improve your business. Use tools like email surveys and social media to gather feedback from your audience.
Customers who complain to businesses say they'd be more loyal to those brands if they received a prompt resolution.
After gathering feedback, address their concerns and share your solution with them.
10. Serve useful content
The best way to create loyal customers is to provide them with valuable content.
The internet is full of free content and advice, but if you want your customers to pay attention and buy from you, you need to provide something unique that they can’t get anywhere else.
The point is to provide information and resources to help your customers solve problems in their lives.
Consider giving them access to exclusive content like blog posts, ebooks, videos, webinars, or even live Q&A sessions.
Takeaway
Customer engagement is more critical than ever, but it’s a challenge for most companies. If you don’t have strong customer engagement strategies, you might miss out on some of the best growth opportunities. Follow this guide to stay ahead of the curve or contact us for free consultation.
