Author: Dawn Pigoni
The popularity of using social media for business marketing continues to grow. It is a tool that can be used in a multitude of ways for a maximum number of benefits. What businesses need to remember, though, is that it is also a powerful way to forge stronger relationships with the customers that are already loyal to your brand.
Ask anyone and they will tell you that it is easier, and more cost-effective, to keep your current customers than to get new ones. This is something that many new entrepreneurs tend to forget in their desire to grow quickly.
To succeed as a brand, you need to foster brand loyalty. Focus a lot of attention on the people that already support your business and you will have a strong foundation on which to grow. Social media gives you a powerful platform to use for engaging with your fans.
Each interaction you have with a customer is called a touch point. These points help to build and strengthen customer loyalty. Loyal customers are the ones that do not consider competitors when they make a decision to buy.
Social media gives you more opportunities to interact with your customers. These are all moments that you get to reinforce the positive opinion that the customer has of your business.
Social networks like Facebook and Twitter offer online venues for conversation. It is another channel for supporting and aiding customers. Offering this venue to your customers as another means for communication makes you even more likeable.
When you maintain an active online presence, it is easier for your loyal customers to recommend you to others. This is another way for you to see your business grow without having to do much. If you have a loyal fan base, those fans will do a lot of work for you in the promotion of your brand.
As more people interact with you through social media, the more exposure you get. Fans will share their positive experiences with your brand and other people will see that through every post.
Instead of focusing all of your attention on getting new customers with your online campaigns, find a way to use that platform to reward your loyal fans. It is better to reward those who are active and enthusiastic supporters of your brand. So, while it might seem beneficial to hold a contest that lets you build your email list with new names, it is even better to reward those who support your brand.
As your fans take the time to reach out to you and engage on social media, make sure that you are responding in kind. If someone writes a glowing review on Facebook, like it. Give a shout out on Twitter to some of your fans. Hold contests and offer rewards to only your loyal customers.
Invite some of your customers to share their experiences with your company on your page. Ask them to submit photos of themselves using your products and share them. Testimonials like these will go a long way in pulling in new customers for your business, all thanks to your already loyal fans.
It is important to grow with new customers, but do not overlook the importance of your loyal supporters. They provide the foundation that will allow you to build a solid brand.
How do you show your appreciation to your loyal fans on social media?
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/social-marketing-articles/use-social-media-to-strengthen-current-customer-relationships-7195729.html
About the Author
Dawn Pigoni of Be Social Worldwide is a certified online marketing specialist and a virtual assistant. Dawn offers superb online networking, marketing and bookmarking to WAHMs, Small Business Owners, Internet and Affiliate Marketers, and Coaches who desire to bring stunning internet presence through online networking to their businesses. Get Dawn's free report, Social Networking today & see how she can assist you with being Social Worldwide!
Keywords:
social media,marketing,branding,relationships,customers
