Your customers may be a little shy, or have a lot going on. As a result, talking to you isn’t always top of mind for them. You will often have to make the first move to begin engaging with them. Having conversations and other forms of interaction with your customers are great ways to help you build a relationship with them.
Examples
- Lots of businesses do this with their social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. They are convenient ways to connect, and stay connected with your customers. Not sure what to say? Start with simple questions about themselves, or ask them to sound off on a current event.
- Danny Iny of Firepole Marketing engages his readers by encouraging them to send in their questions on entrepreneurship. He then answers them in his daily email. Sometimes all it takes is an invitation to open up to get your customers talking.
Suggestions
- If you communicate with your customers in person, move the interaction beyond just the transaction. Ask the customer how their day is going, or ask them questions about their business that show you have an interest that goes beyond the current interaction. When you show a sincere interest in them, your customers are much more likely to open up.
- If you send out emails, ask your customers to send you their questions. You could also actively answer questions your customers have on social media.
Application for your business
- Brainstorm 2 channels you will use to start engaging with your customers on a regular basis. Examples include social media, email, face-to-face meetings, and phone check-ins.
- Write down 3 questions you can ask to make the first move with your customers. What will you say to get them talking?
