Word-of-Mouth has always been, and always will be, one of the best and simplest ways to build your business. The Internet and social media have made it easier than ever before to generate new customers by converting your current customers into brand ambassadors. Happy and satisfied customers want to spread the word about their experience. All you have to do it ask them and make it easy!
Brand Ambassadors, Social Media and Referrals Create More Customers!
1. Reward Referrals
When a customer shares one of your posts, invites a friend to “like” your page, signs up for your newsletter or spreads the word about your business in some other way, reward their effort!
This could be as simple as offering a discount on their next order, a freebie or some other token of appreciation. Gratitude goes a long way and will make that customer more likely to share information about your business in the future and encourage others to do the same – creating a sharing cycle.
2. Make The Process Easy
In general, most people don’t mind passing on information about your business, especially if you make it easy to do. You can increase your chances of getting referrals by making the process as simple and streamlined as possible.
For example, Facebook is an easy way to accomplish this because all he or she has to do is click the “share” button on a post. When a share button isn’t available, such as on your website, you can create a simple referral form that visitors can use to send a link to their friends. Integrating social sharing buttons on your website is another way to make spreading the word easier for your customers.
3. Offer After-Sale Incentives
When you watch a movie or show on Netflix, you have the option to “share” what you are watching via a variety of social media sites. Follow their example and give your clients the chance to share a recent purchase they made through your company on their social media websites.
To make them more likely to do this, offer some kind of incentive, like a coupon or free gift on their next purchase. You can set up this share-and-reward process without adding stress to your daily operations by using plugins within your website and reward programs.
4. Say “Thank You”
When you notice that someone has written a positive review of your business or shared a post without being asked, take a minute to say thank you. Saying thank you only takes a second and it benefits your business in multiple ways.
It also shows that you are listening to your customers and care about what they have to say. Make your customers feel appreciated and they will want to spread the word about your business.
5. Just Ask!
Finally, never underestimate the effectiveness of something as simple as asking a client to tell a friend. When you can tell that a customer has been satisfied with your products or services, thank them and simply ask them to tell someone else about your business.
Most people are more than willing to share about their experiences with others. Asking your satisfied customers to refer you also creates a sense of camaraderie between you and that customer.
Maintaining a good relationship with your customers is something that can make or break your business. Remember, word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful tools in the business world, so keep your customers happy and they will generate new business for you.
What are some ways you have generated referrals for your business with digital marketing? Share with me below!
