Marketing is a crucial factor in running a business, no matter how large or small it may be. It is important to remember that you will not always attract new clients, and in some cases, you must rely on your current clientele to continue doing business with you. In this article, we list 4 ways of increasing customer loyalty so that they continue coming back for more of your company’s products and services.
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1. Understand Your Clientele
Knowing who your clientele is will allow you to tailor your marketing campaigns to be more effective. If you know that your customers are aged 25-35, then it would make no sense for you to hold an event at Britex Fabrics if the majority of them cannot attend due to its location. However, a fantastic idea might be sending them a promotional email or slack sms with a coupon for 10% off their next purchase! Even if your customers do not have Slack on their phones or computers, your Slack SMS can be sent to RingCentral, Twilio, Zoom Phone, Vonage, Google Voice, or VoIP / Landline platforms. Easy!
2. Give Them What They Need
You want to gather as much information about what they’re looking for and how they interact with your brand. Once you know this, you can tailor your services to meet these needs. In addition, prioritize what they need over what they want.
For instance, a customer may come into your store because their car has been making strange sounds that could be dangerous for them and others on the road. They really need a new muffler, so you should try to provide them with one ASAP! However, while many customers may also appreciate free coffee while browsing in your store, it is not essential for them in the short term. You would not want to let a problem like needing a new muffler go unfixed due to lack of staff or parts just so you can give out more coffee samples – prioritize their needs!
3. Thank Them for Their Business
A simple “Thank You” goes a long way. Unfortunately, many businesses think that it’s enough just to provide their customers with goods or services – but thanking them for coming in and giving them more of what they want will drive them to come back again! While coupons are great incentives, most people would rather spend their money on something they actually need than save some by putting up with targeted ads; however, both coupon usage and word-of-mouth advertising can be increased through thank you cards.
You do not want your clients to feel like your business is only out for itself – show gratitude towards your patrons and they’ll know that you truly appreciate business. It may be helpful for you to have an easy-to-fill-out card on hand just in case you forget to thank someone, or if they are simply browsing without buying anything. You could even consider inviting them back for another visit!
4. Offer Giveaways and Incentives
This is one of the easiest things you can do to turn your customers into lifelong patrons. A simple 10% off coupon emailed next time their birthday rolls around will make them come flooding back! If it works for big companies like Starbucks and Subway, then it should work wonders for you as well! Coupons are great because they don’t require much work on the customer’s end – all they need to do is use it next time they shop at your store. Word of mouth and increased return visits will be your reward for doing this. Giveaways or promotional items are also effective in improving customer and staff loyalty. They give customers and employees a sense of inclusiveness and a feeling of being valued. Make the most of these items by selecting ones that are budget and useful to the recipients.
Remember that loyalty is built through gratitude, service, and incentives! Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to creating not just lifelong customers but also advocates for your business.
