Nibletz Staff
No matter what size of business you are, the factor that will most often give you the edge over your competitors is the kind of service you are known for. More than the fact that you’re actually a human being behind it all, they want to know that companies care. It’s vital that your customers feel like more than just a source of income to you. Businesses have been trying to convince customers they care for centuries now, but here are some of the ways you can actually show it.
The right blogging strategy
A blog’s an important part of any business’s strategy. Not only does it give you a chance to have your own space to keep people informed on developments and promotions. It’s also a great platform for getting in touch with the customer. Here you can field questions and ask for feedback. People like to be engaged and asked what they feel and think. So make your blog the space to do that.
Extend customer service to social media
Much like the above point, social media has become a vital key to online success in your business. Like blogging, it gives the chance for interaction with customers. However, the most useful point of social media is just how immediate that interaction can be. You should be using whatever platforms you’re used to answer questions live. Engage directly instead of redirecting customers in an attempt to appear professional. The advantage of this discourse being public is that it builds a reputation for good relations from the business.
Get in touch even when it’s not about business
Online correspondence is always a great idea (in moderation and taking consent into account). It’s a good way to remind customers your services exist as well as spreading the word about whatever promotion you might be running. However, you should consider taking the time to send messages that don’t come with something to sell. The goodwill of corporate ecards on holidays and birthdays, for example, can lead to a lot of customer loyalty.
Reward loyalty
You should be prepared to take a short-term loss in the hopes of making a long-term game. That is the entire game behind rewarding customer loyalty. You need to do it right. The rewards need to be substantial, even at a slight cost. If they’re not, the customer won’t care about them. A points system could work well, but a tier system gives extra incentive. Not only will they use your services to get rewards, but also to move up a tier and get even better rewards.
Use the handwritten touch
There’s nothing better for making a customer loyal than reaching out to them personally. No matter your business, the single best way of doing that is taking the time to handwrite a letter. Many businesses take a shortcut
by printing written letters. These are too easy to recognise and are more likely to foster ill-will for the lack of effort. A handwritten thank you note will get you into more than just their budget, it will get you in their hearts.
