TOP 10 Relation based Marketing Strategies

1.0 Customer Interaction

Your first strategy to building a strong customer relationship is to make every customer interaction count. Don’t take a single customer for granted. Each and every interaction with a customer is a gift and should be valued.

But how do you bring about that interaction? You can achieve that by setting up a focus group made up of loyal customers. A focus group can be a vital tool to getting into the mind of your customers and knowing their needs.

“You can’t just ask the customers what they want and try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they will want something new.” – Steve Jobs

2. Follow through on Commitment          

Follow-through on commitments and claims about products or services. Just as I said earlier, your business must make a specific promise to the customer and deliver on that promise if it intends to win the heart of the customer. False claims however should be avoided at all cost as it can harm your credibility.

3.    Offer Benefits & Product Value       

Offer benefits and product value that responds to the customer’s desires. Another positive step to building a strong customer relationship is to offer value to the customer. Go all out to let your customers know you are a genuine guy for quality.

“If you build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful.” – Jeff Bezos

4.   Respect your Customer        

Treat customers as individuals who are respected and valued. As an entrepreneur, I believe you know how hard it is to find one good customer. I hope you also know that it cost more to find a new customer than to take care of existing ones.

“It all comes back to the basic. Serve customers the best tasting food at a good value in a clean restaurant, and they will keep coming back.” – Dave Thomas

“Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement.” – James Cash Penny

5.    Listen to Customers       

Listen all customers queries and problem. Even complaints can be a gift if handled properly and quickly. Be available and accessible when customers have questions, concerns, or comments. Humans always look for someone to talk to or share their problems with. If you can listen more to your customers, you will end up knotting the bond between the customer and your business.

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill G

“Spend a lot of time talking to customers face to face. You will be amazed at how many companies don’t listen to their customers.” – Henry Ross Perot

6.     Build a strong brand identity      

Make it easy for your customers to identify your business or products in the midst of the crowd. Create a winning slogan, tagged with a catchy logo and a unique theme. Most important, make a specific promise and deliver on that promise. You can also forge that specific promise into a unique sales proposition (USP) just like DHL Courier, KFC and Domino Pizzas did. If Fortune 500 companies such as Coca Cola, Nike, and McDonalds are investing in building a strong brand identity, why shouldn’t you?

“If you are not a brand, you are a commodity.” – Robert Kiyosaki

7.     Publicized info to your Customer           

Surround your customers with valuable information by using emails, website content, social media, and other methods of outreach but do not be invasive. Keep them informed on the latest trend, price or development. You must also make it easy for customers to reach you; if possible, be their next door neighbor.

8.      Independent website     

Does your business have a website? If your answer is no, then it’s time to get one. If yes, then you should consider making your website user-friendly and easy to navigate for new and existing customers. The World Wide Web is making it easier for businesses to build a strong customer relationship with their customers; why don’t you take advantage of it?

9.      Reward loyal customers.

This is a point that can never be over emphasized. Most businesses go after new customers while forgetting that the existing customers need to be taken care of. Introducing a loyalty program is a very effective relationship marketing strategy.

Nothing strengthens a bond more than appreciation. Thanking customers for sticking to your brand will go a long way to make them know they are important. A simple thank you package might be all your business needs to connect personally with your existing customers.

“We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It’s our job everyday to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better.”

– Jeff Bezos

10.    Create a Social Blog

Create a Social Blog about your business where discussion is more casual and inviting. Blogging is a trend that has come to stay. Almost all businesses today maintain a blog. A blog is a powerful communication tool that can help you stay in touch with your customers. I know some individuals that have built a strong personal brand online using blogs as a platform. A blog improves your customer relationship process and can be a tool to obtaining instantaneous feedback from your customers.