Businesses exist to attract and retain customers. But today’s mega-competitive marketplace is proving more challenging than ever for companies trying to gain and keep market share. Client engagement is vital to any organization’s success, and adequate communication is critical to managing and maintaining the relationship. Technological advancements have made communication more effortless, and social media allows customers to engage in ways we never considered possible just a decade ago.
Social media platforms have become very popular with companies of every size and in every industry. Even those on a more minimal budget can advertise their brand and take advantage of social media’s enhanced engagement and creative communication. The following is a short guide for those seeking more information on how social media can help your business to thrive.
Customer Engagement Tools
Building Rapport: Clients are much more likely to work with an organization they feel emotionally connected to. Social media provides the interaction necessary to build rapport in ways conventional advertising could not. The company’s CEO can answer comments, your team can share “behind the scenes” photos, and you can even host interactive events and contests to redefine and reinvent customer engagement.
Loyalty Recognition: The customers who keep up with your social media page have earned some recognition – after all, they are helping to build your online presence! Developing a corporate culture of customer recognition rewards customers for their loyalty and thanks them for their business. Not only will this guarantee customer retention, but potential customers are more likely to engage with a loyal and grateful company. Hosting promotions, online specials or discounts, or online contests will help in this regard.
Share Culture: One of the primary benefits of a robust social media presence is that it allows companies to pull back the curtain on their unique culture. A brand name or logo only communicates so much – engaging and relevant posts will illuminate who you really are. For a small Sarasota business, sharing community events and initiatives is an excellent way to build a following steadfastly loyal to your brand.
Boost Customer Service: Effective communication with clientele is essential to corporate success. Inadequate customer service and delayed responses can damage your reputation pretty quickly. Social media allows for rapid customer response, communicating how seriously you take their concerns and issues.
How Social Media Benefits the Company
Businesses with intelligent and engaging media strategies will see all of their key metrics improve. Those unfamiliar with the powerhouse that social media has become may consider these platforms to be a waste of time. But social media is one of the most potent tools for these companies to enhance customer engagement without breaking the budget. In fact, the expense involved with recruiting a dedicated social media manager is often far more affordable than clinging to the older, outdated, and clunky ways to reach out to clients. Social media also streamlines communication in times of emergency or crisis, which is a significant improvement over leaving your clients without the information they need. When customers understand the reason behind delayed shipping, for instance, they are more likely to have empathy and not move on to another company. Maximizing customer engagement via social platforms is not only “nice-to-have” in today’s competitive space, but it is also vital.
Alliance IT employs a team of experts with a deep bench of knowledge. These professionals can fill your company’s skills gaps, ensure productivity, or upgrade your systems. For an onsite consultation regarding managed services, cloud services, or IT growth strategy, call us today.
