Never before has the average customer had the power that they do now. From directions to groceries, we are living in a time where virtually anything can be made available with just our fingertips. And with advancements in social media as well as mobile technology, consumers are looking for something unique and they are readily voicing their opinions about what they find.
The bottom line is there are other companies that are competing for the same target market you are. They come with employees with similar skills and they offer similar products or services. And your targeted consumers are going to purchase from the company that provides exactly what they are looking for when they are searching for it. If you are facing difficulties standing out in an oversaturated market, then there might be an ingredient that you are missing.
Psst…trust is the secret ingredient to sales and ultimately brand loyalty.
When customers trust you, they are more likely to buy from you. It really is that simple but unfortunately creating the secret sauce isn’t. So how can you build trust and ultimately gain brand loyalty amongst your targeted market? With a strategic internet marketing plan of course!
While we would rather sit down with you to hash out the minor details, here are some of the more major things to keep in mind when mapping out your marketing strategy:
Share Authentic Stories
Storytelling is one of the best ways to attract as well as engage people. It is also a great way to let your audience know who you are. Once you have captured their attention, sharing your brand’s authentic story helps consumers gain a sense of comfort and might even prompt interaction. The goal here is to be relatable, be informative, and be real.
Be Consistent
On that same note, it is important to be consistent when it comes to sharing your business’s story. If your company highlights incredible quality or unmatched customer service, you want to make sure that your business actions reflect that. You don’t want to advertise that you are committed to your customers when messages or complaints are left unanswered…don’t be “that” guy.
And while your company message should remain consistent, you also want to ensure that your design is as well. From your social networks right down to your website, maintaining consistency in your image helps create the sense of familiarity you want prospective buyers to feel.
Be Personable
With advancements in tech, it is not uncommon to come across an automated message…or an inbox full. Everyone, more specifically your customers, wants to feel special so make sure you are adding a touch of personalization in everything you do. Whether it is signing your name off in marketing emails or responding to each comment on social media, be personable and make it a habit.
Let them know that real human beings are working behind the scenes by spotlighting an employee on your website with a photograph and short bio. When writing web content, consider the tone and style as a more down-to-earth, casual voice can make your brand feel a little more authentic. You could even use video to your advantage by posting interviews of your staff as well as customers, live-stream a creative process, or even create a “how to” instructional video!
Address and Resolve Complaints
The reason why social media is so popular is that everyone wants to feel heard. With that in mind, if someone is taking the time to let you (and the internet) know about their experience you want to make sure that you are addressing their complaints. People make mistakes and admitting our errors is what makes us human, so react to your consumer feedback using the appropriate channels.
Make sure to take the steps to apologize and remedy what you can. This demonstrates your genuine desire to add value to a buyer experience, rather than to simply sell your product.
Demonstrate Transparency
The less information that people have, the more room they have to guess or assume what the truth actually is. This can be a risky game in a world where almost anything can go viral before you can even come up with a story. So be honest and overshare with all parties involved, including your employees.
Feeling a little overwhelmed and not sure where to start? Get in touch! Our Maui marketing team is more than qualified to help you map out the best strategy for your business to build trust amongst your clientele.