Eight Critical Tips For Businesses Wanting to Authentically Engage With Their Customers

The key to selling is to not ask how you can sell, but to ask… “How can I HELP?”

Here are 8 key tips for companies looking to authentically engage their customers:

1. Offer value

Engagement marketing means leading with content, not products. Let’s say you offer a product, but you are not sure of the extra value you can offer. One easy way to assist is creating a blog with helpful tips. One example: Let’s say you own a local flower shop, to add value, maybe you offer ideas on what to write on a sympathy bouquet sent to a friend who loses a loved one. For every transaction or pre-transaction - blog or no blog...ask how you can add value.

2. Build a community

A critical part of engagement marketing is giving customers an opportunity for a dialogue—and there’s nothing easier these days than with social medial. People love to have their opinions asked. So ask away? Do quick surveys! So an example would be, if you brew your own craft beer. Possibly ask - What’s the craziest flavor you’ve ever had? This does two things: 1.) It engages your customers and 2.) It also might give you ideas on your next creative creation.

This can also work on the flip side too. Let’s say you own your own athletic gear story. Possibly offer advice on fitness and nutrition. Customers want value. And they want tips...aka content they haven’t heard before. So be innovative and creative!

3. Inspire others

If people say they don’t want to be inspired, they are lying. It’s engrained in us. We want to be fed and nourished. So when building a relationship with your customer base, make sure you are sharing your vision. And most importantly, share your “Why you do what you do!” People buy from others they feel a connection to.

And on that note… One way to inspire others is to build an emotional connection! Customers want to know they are dealing with an actual person. An easy way to implement this is - reaching out directly to a customer. If a customer posts something on your social wall, reach out to them privately, thanking them for their input. This may not seem like much, but people love when they are acknowledged.

4. Hold a contest

This is one of the easiest ways to engage with your customers. And, let’s face it... Who doesn’t enjoy getting free stuff? We all do. Take advantage of that and hold a contest for your customers.

For example, you could ask customers to share creative photos and tag your business. The chosen winner receives a product or a free one-year membership to your service.

5. Make your customers a part of your team

We all like to feel like we’re part of a team. And your customers are no exceptions. If you notice a customer has launched a new charity, don’t hesitate to promote them on your social media accounts.

6. Create a product tour

Product tours are one of the best ways for your customers to learn everything there is about your product or service. Not only is this an effective way for you to reach out to your customers, product tours are also a great way to engage them. You can record a product tour and place it onto your website and YouTube account. Animoto is a great company that makes it easy to turn your photos and video clips into a professional video to showcase your products. Plus, they have a free version.

7. Provide entertainment value - aka Have Fun.

In addition to being inspired, customers like to be entertained. This could be done quickly just by creating a fun video of your employees lip-syncing to a fun song.

And last not least….

8. Keep the conversation going

Part of what it means to have an “always on” approach to marketing is that you are in constant dialogue with customers. This means staying relevant and responsive to customer issues as they arise. Highly responsive companies are the ones that win, and most important the people they serve.