BusinessDictionary.com defines “relationship marketing” as: “Marketing activities that are aimed at developing and managing trusting and long-term relationships with customers.”
Relationship marketing should not be confused with transactional marketing. It’s not about selling or promotion. It’s about building customer loyalty by understanding and responding to their needs. And, it’s about showing them that you value their business and trust.
Relationship marketing involves finding ways to make two-way communications between you and your customers easy and beneficial. It requires tracking customer activities and providing information, offers and incentives that are tailored to them.
With more and more marketing tools and techniques at the disposal of business owners, relationship marketing is taking on a greater role as they look for ways to distinguish themselves and create memorable and meaningful customer experiences.
Loyalty programs, referral incentives, even seasonal discounts to current customers all go a long way toward building a relationship that stretches beyond the transaction. Offering rewards, helpful tips and specials enables constructive one-to-one relationships that help you create a great experience for your clients and lay the foundation of long-term brand loyalty.
Not Sure Where to Begin?
How about a good old-fashioned thank you card? Data shows that cards received in the mail get a 100% open rate. Try to accomplish that with your Constant Contact account. People also tend to hold onto cards they receive. It demonstrates warmth that is nearly impossible to convey in “cold” media, like e-mails and Internet marketing. Showing your appreciation is a great way to demonstrate your values while indirectly promoting your business. Services like SendOutCards make is too easy and affordable to ignore.
Looking for a way to reward and promote at the same time? How about branded merchandise? Send your most loyal clients a mug or branded gift card as a sign of your appreciation for their continued confidence. These items also work well if the relationship is just beginning.
Staying consistently active in social media plays a huge role in relationship marketing. You want to welcome new followers, share meaningful and helpful content and reply, by name, to those who take the time to comment. Engage them and build a dialog that creates a sense of community and helps you keep your finger on the pulse of your market.
Build your customer profiles and understand what their shopping habits and emotional buttons are. Do they have families? Maybe there’s something you can offer them that they can all appreciate. It doesn’t have to be related to your business, but that would certainly be a bonus. A restaurant gift card works extremely well by connecting with them outside of the business setting. It’s a great way to make a lasting impression.
Granted, you can’t be giving away $25.00 gift cards to every client or prospect. That’s why it helps to have multiple options at different costs. A thank you card and personal note only costs a couple of bucks. Social media costs little more than your time and attention. Aren’t your clients and prospects worth that?
Don’t Be a Stranger.
Get to know your customers on a more personal level and understand what’s behind their buying decisions. Make them feel special and important. Engage them while listening between the lines about their needs and concerns. You’re not just providing a product or service; you’re providing a unique and positive experience that will distinguish you from your competitors and lead to more referrals.
Related Posts
The One Thing We All Share and What to Do with It.
Even if you’re selling widgets, there’s something more that you offer that distinguishes your business in a positive way. It’s what your customers truly gain from you that they can’t get from anyone else. It’s this frame of mind that defines your business more than anything.
Start-ups Need to Get Branding Right out of the Gate.
The bankruptcy courts are full of great ideas that were undermined by ineffective branding and promotion. Build it and they will come? No, they won’t. Not unless you make them really want to. Or, better yet, need to.
What Do You Want Your Business to Look Like Five Years from Now?
If your brand cannot adapt to change, you could end up burning cycles recovering what you lost instead of spending your time building on what you have. As Ben Franklin once put it, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Uncover Your Own Path to Greatness.
It’s important to look like you belong in your market. But, it’s more important to promote your own uniqueness. Remember, your brand and identity is about differentiation. It’s not about being like the others.
8 Business Blogging Tips for Marketers
Your blog should begin with a clearly defined purpose and follow best practices in order to maximize its effectiveness. Here are a few business blogging tips to help you begin to carve out your role, educate your customers and distinguish your organization.
Many Businesses Make This One Big Marketing Mistake. Is Yours?
I recently visited the websites of some of the top design firms in the world. It was both inspiring and, truth be told, slightly intimidating. However, despite that, I did notice one consistent problem with a majority of them.