3 Keys to Grow An Amazingly Loyal Customer Community Who Loves Working With You And Buying From You
photo credit: Amelia Soegijono Photography | creative direction & styling by us
We love to make sense of our purchases, where we’re spending our money. But If you think honestly about the purchases we make, we buy because we feel that it’s the right purchase for us.
I’m writing this post to you from a coffee shop in Palo Alto. I came here not because they got the best coffee in town. It’s because I like the feeling of working from a coffee shop, and I enjoy the vibe, the environment, the music and the space. I didn’t come here to buy a cup of coffee, I came here to buy quality time and good feelings.
You probably also didn’t buy your laptop or your tote bag because it’s the best deal with the best functionality. You bought it because of what carrying it or using it represents, and because of what it says about you as a person.
Emotions are what a great brand sells.
A great brand doesn’t just sell its products or services, it connects with people on a deeper level.
Here are the 3 keys to grow a loyal following and customer base for your brand -
Build Trust In Everything You Do
Because almost all purchases are made with emotions, everything you do in your business should focus on building relationships with your following and customers. Trust is what holds people back from saying YES even if they already know and like what you do. Trust is what will make people tell other people about you.
People who trust you see you differently. It is how you stand out from the crowd, and it is how you build a remarkable brand that draws people.
How do you start building trust? Start online. Show up for your people consistently. Choose whichever marketing tactic (Youtube, Instagram, blogging, emails, podcast), that works for you and the people you serve, and commit to adding value to them.
Create An Outstanding Experience
At every touch point people have with you, focus on making an amazing impression and an awesome experience.
For potential customers, from your website, your email communication, to your social media feed, or all the online platforms where you’re creating content, make an impression. If someone can feel the connection with you and see that you are an expert in your field through all the free advice and value you add, they will trust you enough to say yes to you. Provide value and build connections before they hand you their money.
For existing customers, create an unforgettable experience. Instead of getting sales, a brand’s biggest goal should be getting happy customers. Your customers made the decision to make the purchase from you, don’t let them down. Give them an experience so great that they will remember.
To stay on the top of the mind of your past customers, work on fostering the relationships. Keep adding value to them online or offline, make it personal, keep them updated, and engage with them.
Grow Your Tribe
To grow your brand organically and multiply your customer base and following, turn your happy customers into your advocates, and give them great reasons to tell other people about you.
Consider creating reward programs for returning customers or referrals, and re-share content your customers created, including photos of how they are using your products or the wonderful things they are saying about your offers. These are great ways to show appreciation and give them incentives to spread the word for you. Continue to engage your best customers in the long term and turn them into your powerful force of marketing.
From building trust online through the content you create, the designing the experience with your brand, to growing your customer base organically, ultimately, it comes to knowing exactly who your target audience is. If you don’t know who you’re serving, how could you know what marketing to use to reach them? If you don’t know their desires, wants and needs, how do you design a customer experience that resonates with them? And how would you know what they care about to nurture your relationships with them?
Click here to learn the 3-Steps to Define your Niche to get you started, and click here to learn How To Truly Stand Out And Differentiate.
Want to learn How to Create An Authentic Brand That Sticks? Read this post and this post.
Interested in learning more organic ways to do marketing? Click here to access our Complete Marketing Map for Your Successful Launch.
Want to know how to convert your social media following into loyal customers? Watch this training to learn our 3 Secret Ingredients for Content Marketing.
Don’t forget to grab your seat at our FREE training, so you know how to grow your profitable brand people love AND a loyal customer community who keep buying from you!