Social distancing rules and stay-at-home orders. Masks, sanitizing stations, and limited in-person connections.
With all these rules in place, how are you keeping a connection with your customers?
Staying engaged with your customers helps ensure that your business survives and even thrives. So keep reading to find out six ways to engage with your customers.
1. Promote your company values
Authentic connections begin with shared values, and the same goes for businesses and your customers.
What are your company values? Transparency? Equality? Innovation?
Identify ways you can use those values and connect with your customers. For example, if sustainability is one of your company’s values, try to connect with some of your environmentally conscious customers by inviting them to a socially-distanced tree planting exercise.
2. Tap into social media
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok. Social media gives your customers a peek into your businesses — even if they can’t actually step inside your storefront right now.
The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to use all of these platforms. If you run a cafe, your customers might be on Facebook or Twitter. But if you run a staffing agency, you might look to LinkedIn for your social outreach.
Whatever your platform of choice, it’s a great avenue for you to connect with your customers. For example, you can send gift vouchers to some of your loyal customers on social media. And give them a little shout out by tagging them in a post to show that you appreciate and thank them for being your customer.
And social media allows for two-way communication. Encourage your customers to tag your business, post comments, and even send direct messages. That can be an easy way to gather important customer feedback.
3. Hold a contest
2020 has been a challenging year for most people, so adding a new “challenge” for your customers might not be the right framing. But a contest and a chance to win free goods? Bingo.
You can use social media for this one, asking your followers to share their most creative pictures to promote your brand. Or, if you want to hold a contest in real life, you can create a mini scavenger hunt in your city. Use chalk to write out clues on the sidewalk and the first one to collect all the clues wins a prize.
Have fun, get creative, and use this time to keep your customers involved.
4. Make safety a priority — and still fun
Let your customers know that you care about them by making safety a priority. Have an open area outside your business? Draw social distancing space using creative shapes, colors, or cartoon art that make social distancing an adventure.
You can also make waiting in line for adults more fun by having selfie stops or installing games on your company’s app.
And even after that wait, show your customers that the party doesn’t stop — and neither does your focus on their safety. Hand out mini bottles of hand sanitizer with your wine tastings or coffee pickups.
5. Partner with another business
Whether your business has seen increased demand in 2020 or you’re trying to stay afloat, you can’t do it alone. Your neighbors, customers, and employees want to see you succeed, so reach out to your network.
Partner up with another business because the power of two is better than the power of one. If you manage a fitness studio and are hosting virtual classes, partner with another company, like a food energy company, who can expand your audience. Then, host “ask me anything” events with each audience so you can keep your customers engaged — and even draw in some new customers.
6. Tell it how it is
Just talking to your customers is underrated. Send emails, give updates on social media, mail flyers. Keep your customers in the loop about your plans for re-opening or adjusting your way of business.
Happy staff, happy customers
If you don’t have a customer engagement strategy in place by now (or it’s changed over the last few months) that’s ok. Use these tips to help engage your customers. And to do this, you need happy, engaged staff on the front lines. Make your customers and your staff a priority with a free trial of Deputy.
