Loyalty is important in business for developing and sustaining great connections with customers, employees, and partners. Loyalty Programs build trust, encourage business retention, and improve brand reputation. Customers that are loyal to your company are more likely to make additional purchases and recommend it to others, resulting in higher sales and revenue.
Loyalty with Customers makes a crucial differentiation in today’s highly competitive industry for organisations looking to stand out and succeed.
So, let’s dive into some of the most important strategies in building loyalty with your customers.
Strategies to Implement to Build Loyalty with your Customers
Enjoy open and authentic communication
Your customers must know the truth about what’s going on and how it will affect their relationship with your company. Here are some tips:
- Keep lines of communication open and respond quickly. If that means hiring a virtual assistant to answer the phone, think about it.
- Use your unique voice to give your customers insight into how your company is dealing with the coronavirus crisis. If possible, create a separate page on your website dedicated to your processes during this time.
- Now, Place the page you created and your contact information in the centre of your home page for quick and easy communication. Link to this page in all posts.
- Encourage your customers to provide feedback so you know what you can do to help them. Put processes in place to meet those needs as they evolve.
You won’t always know the answers, and it’s best to say so when you don’t. Be sure to refer to trusted sources for all questions.
Give excellent client service
Regardless of the season, customer service is a game changer loyalty program. Because you can’t physically reach out and touch your customers right now, you’ll have to be inventive. Use the following guidelines to help you.
- As you know your market, anticipate any challenges that may arise as a result of the unique circumstances we find ourselves in. Respond to these pressure points by being proactive and providing consumer solutions
- To discuss orders and provide comments, use personalised emails or phone conversations.
- Include an feedback sheet or freebie with each order, along with a personal note to convince your clients that you’re still on their side.
- If you have supply chain or personnel issues, be upfront with your consumers and let them know there may be a delay before they have to inquire or hear about it.
Remember that when consumers are feeling vulnerable, even the slightest gesture can make all the difference.
Provide a rewards or loyalty programs
Customer loyalty programs are successful because they accomplish something that you desperately need to do right now: They deepen the link between your company and its customers.
- Provide benefits or prizes based on the products purchased or the amount spent.
- If the incentive is no longer available, you can manually award points or discounts that can be used on future transactions.
Create engaging social campaigns
When you can’t greet customers in person, social media is your best bet. With all that free time, you can bet there will be people waiting for you there.
Here are three good social practices:
- Be consistent. After changing your practices, posting on the same days/times gives customers peace of mind that you’re available and when to expect an update.
- Launch innovative social media campaigns to build customer loyalty. One example is scheduling AMAs (Ask Me Anything) where customers can ask their latest questions and get real-time answers.
- Create a dedicated group on your Facebook page where customers can share their experiences and challenges and support each other. If you can, listen and respond as needed.
The goal is to create or deepen a sense of community among your customers, customers and prospects through social media
