Do you know what the most influential marketing force is? It is not an organic or paid marketing campaign.
We are talking about your customers, as they can be your greatest champion, your most productive sales team, and your most influential promoters and the best part about this is that you don't have to pay anything to them.
To do this you need to understand how to convert your customers into brand advocates.
You might be thinking, what is a brand advocate? A customer who actively spends their time promoting your product or services in their network is your brand advocate.
It is not that difficult to cultivate but it requires a strong strategy and time to develop. In the article below, you will learn how to build and engage an army of customer advocates
Many websites out there today demonstrate a deep human desire to be known and understood. Businesses can help a customer fulfill this need by providing a personalized relationship like –
Know the customer's name &use it
Create reasons to communicate with the customer that is relevant to their pain points
Address them on the device or media channel that they have indicated they prefer
Recognize special events like holidays, promotions, anniversaries, and even birthdays of your customers.
Customers are only going to promote those products or services that they truly value personally. The basics of converting your customers into brand sponsors are to provide them with something they love so much that they want to share their feelings with their family and friends.
One of the best ways to get your customers to advertise for you is to give them exceptional services as it will enhance their experience and will make them feel special as well. Remember speed is important but quality makes all the difference.
Ever noticed how excited people become when they see themselves on the huge screen at a cricket or football match? Humans like to be noticed as this makes them feel special so to convert them into your brand advocates you can use this human nature.
Feature your customers' positive reviews in ads
Share product or service results in of their business in case studies
Mention customers' success on social media
Ask them to share their story with your product or services
In this digital world, people feel free to tag and share huge brands on Instagram so, if someone has tagged you or shared your product on their channel you should also take some time to acknowledge their efforts. You might show your appreciation with a small incentive.
But even a DM, a shout-out in your comments feed, or an email reaching out to say "Thanks for doing that" will encourage your customers to keep sharing their praise for your brand with their colleagues, friends, and family.
Too often the relationship between customer and business is focused on the conversion. But the real relationship with your customers begins after sales.
Make sure that the customer stays with your brand and keeps coming back for more. This is more likely to move them from purchaser to loyal customer to brand advocate.
Surprises are loved by everyone, especially when a company or brand gives surprises to their customers. Customers are more likely to get excited about the surprise, which involves any free item.
By offering any freebee item or a simple personalized thank you note can drastically improve the relationship between customer and business.
People love to share these small surprises with people around them and with the expansion of social media they are more likely to share it on it as well. This might be the best way to turn your customer into a brand advocate.
There is no hesitation that your customers are your greatest allies. If you offer the top quality product with unmatched services then your job is half done.
Chances are that they'll promote you at their good judgment. Imagine the impact of your brand on the market if you successfully convert your loyal customers into your brand advocates.
You can elevate your results by empowering them with the tools needed to market your products and services.
Do you know what the best part is? That this is a sustainable marketing strategy and you don't have to offer then some referral commissions or out-of-the-budget awards. All you have to do is to give your customers an amazing experience and they will automatically return the favor.