Here are 10 effective ways to connect with your customers and build lasting relationships that can keep them loyal to your brand.
Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach.
You want your customers to feel special, and you can achieve this by approaching each one as an individual rather than just another customer. Grouping all your consumers together will only express inauthenticity.
Respond to concerns.
Don’t just be available when your business is doing well or your customers are satisfied. If you want customers to trust and respect you, you need to earn it by proving your dedication to making them happy.
Go above and beyond.
interaction with the unhappy-patron-turned-advocate leads us to our next tip: Go above and beyond for your customers. As a small business owner, you will likely have a close connection to your customers and you can use this to your advantage. Offer special discounts for customer loyalty, recommend specific products based on what you know about a customer’s interests, and always remedy an unpleasant experience.
Some customers will have a negative experience with your brand. However, your job is to ensure your customer or client’s experience ends well. Exceptional customer support will keep them coming back for more.
Follow up.
Following up is an easy way to earn customers’ appreciation. No one likes to file a complaint or ask a question, only to hear radio silence. Respond to customers throughout their buying journey so they build a connection with you. This is also a great way to keep your business top of mind for your customers.
If an existing customer purchases a new or unique product, follow up with them to make sure they enjoyed it. Thank customers for doing business with you. Everyone likes to feel acknowledged. Follow-up is also a great way to identify unhappy customers before their unsatisfactory experience ends with a negative review online.
Keep it personal, not transactional.
Rather than being aggressive when selling, try to be more consultative and conversational so clients understand your intentions are pure.
Focus on face-to-face interactions.
It’s common to experience miscommunications when using technology as the primary source of contact. While emails and telephone calls are convenient, nothing beats face-to-face contact.
You can understand your customers better in person than over the phone or through a screen. Shivaraju makes it a point to drop in on clients to introduce himself and establish both a professional and personal relationship with them.
Be active on social media.
Companies benefit from having social media accounts; however, simply having a social media account is not enough you need to be actively engaged. A 2020 survey found that 40 percent of users expect a brand to respond to them within the first hour of connecting and nearly 80 percent expect a response within the first 24 hours.
Many shoppers see whether a company has an online presence before they will do business with them. Customers are already using social media platforms to browse new products, leave reviews, and share favorite items with their friends and you should meet them where they are. Interacting on social media can help your company’s brand shine, and it is a great way to stay on your customers’ minds and feeds.
Customers are constantly reviewing and talking about brands on social media, and there is a good chance your company will be the topic of discussion at one point or another. Actively engaging customers on social media and responding to social media comments are great ways to direct the narrative about what is being said about your brand. It can also allow you to resolve negative comments as soon as they arise.
Your specific platforms will depend on your brand and following, such as X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Grow with your current clients in mind.
If your customers are happy, your business will continue to develop. Shivaraju said not to get too caught up in quick growth, especially if it means giving less attention to clients and jeopardizing your customer service.
Show your appreciation.
Just as you would with supportive friends and family, make sure your customers know you recognize their importance.
Survey your customers.
A great way to stay informed about your customers’ wants and needs is by sending out surveys. For example, your business can send out occasional customer surveys to elicit customer feedback on what products they like best, what changes should be made to existing products, and what products should be added to your line. When your customers feel like they have input on what you are providing, it can help build loyalty.
Additionally, surveying your customers can help improve your overall product or service offering and cater to your customers’ wants. This can result in higher sales, which means more money in your pocket.