Customer interaction undoubtedly builds customer loyalty, an asset that ensures profitability in the long run. It is not only statistics that prove this, but it is backed up by countless testimonies as well.
Social Media Efforts
The birth of social media has given businesses, no matter how small, an effective way to interact with current and potential customers to boost their marketing efforts. Customers no longer stay as listeners to advertising campaigns. Studies show that a customer is likely to spend 20-40% more on products of businesses they have online interaction with. Communicating with, listening to and responding to consumers are now crucial parts of buying and selling, making profits and surviving the competition. Actively interacting with clients through social media makes people feel that they are not just numbers or potential profit sources. Instead, they feel as cared for individuals that have different needs and concerns that are worthy of the business’ time and efforts. It is a very strong way of creating loyalty and inspiring more spending.
Customer Service
Whether you are a business whose marketing efforts are focused online, or you’re a traditional brick-and-mortar business seeking to broaden your consumer base in your locality, customer service is the biggest factor you have to think of. There are now many customer service channels such as face-to-face, over the phone, by email, live chat, forums and many other non-traditional ways, depending on how creative you want to be. As long as you choose the right medium to reach your clients, and you serve them to your best ability, maintaining your customer interaction consistently, you will reap the benefits of consumer loyalty.
There is nothing like making a customer remember the great service he or she receives after responding to your ad. Always remember, word of mouth is something that could either work in your favor or completely destroy you. Nurture your customers and they will be the best advertisement you’ll ever have.
Community Involvement
Community involvement should be an act that comes from the heart of any company, not because of profit driving in mind, but because it genuinely cares about how it affects those around it. When people see the community involvement in business, it triggers a feeling of appreciation that inspires loyalty. Community engagement is often more frequent in big international companies, but even small businesses could strongly use this to their advantage and build their reputation. This kind of interaction with the community should create a sense of belongingness for the company and with that thought in mind; a deeper meaning of sustainability comes alive. Your presence in the community should be more than enough to boost your marketing efforts, which has now become more focused on your target market.
When in doubt, keep in mind that you are in business because of your customers. Without them, there is nothing to do, nothing to earn and nothing to learn.